African Penguins at Boulders Beach

One of the absolute highlights of our time in Cape Town was visiting the colony of African penguins at Boulders Beach. It’s not every day that you get to see penguins in the wild, especially on a warm beach, and let me tell you—it was just as adorable as it sounds! Boulders Beach is home to a large colony of these tiny, tuxedoed birds, and you can get pretty close to them. As soon as we arrived, we spotted dozens of penguins waddling around on the sand, some sunbathing, and others hopping into the water for a swim. Watching them dive into the crystal-clear waves and paddle around was so fun, and we could’ve stood there for hours just taking it all in. The best part is that the boardwalk paths allow you to observe the penguins without disturbing them, so you get an up-close look at their quirky behavior.  It’s crazy to think that these little guys are endangered, but it was awesome to see how protected and cared for they are at Boulders Beach. The beach itself is stunning—soft white sand and huge granite boulders with the sparkling ocean behind them. It’s a beautiful setting, and sharing it with such a unique group of animals made it feel really special.