Stony Point Nature Reserve: The penguin seekers alternative to Boulders Beach
You’ll find more than penguins when you visit the reserve…
If you’ve ever been to Cape Town, or can even picture it in your mind, you’ll be imagining quirky houses and shops, Table Mountain and, particularly, sandy beaches awash with penguins. They’re a huge attraction, and for good reason! They’re cute, they walk funny and they give us a mega nostalgia kick due to their show-stealing turn in the Madagascar movies. Boulders Beach is where you’ll find them sunning themselves, nesting and making life look like it couldn’t be more of a breeze when you just take it easy. There’s one problem, however: you! And us. And everyone else who’s turned up that day. Boulders Beach can get extremely busy, so let us show you the calmer, quieter, cheaper alternative…
The shape of penguins to come
Where is Stony Point Nature Reserve?
Stony Point Penguin Colony is situated in the small town of Betty’s Bay, just down the road from the town of Hermanus. If you’re avoiding Boulders Beach and don’t mind a drive, you can get there in less than 2 hours from Cape Town itself. The drive is beautiful and you can make your way along, flanked by beautiful coastline and mountain peaks - well worth a trip by themselves!
The reserve sits against a stunning backdrop
Stony Point Penguin Colony
The nature reserve is home to some 2000 African penguins in total, stretched along the shores of the reserve. Formerly known as the Jackass Penguin, due to their donkey-like calls (it sounds like a joke, but it’s true!), there’s a good chance you’ll hear them before you see them.
Penguins mate for life
Pull up to the car park and you’ll soon spot them. Many have made their way beyond the confines of the Stony Point Nature Reserve itself and have made their homes along the beachfront by the car park - you can get a good look before you even go in!
A cluster of penguins sit and sun themselves on a boat ramp
Stony Point Nature Reserve entry
That said, don’t shy away from entering the reserve itself once you’ve seen the star attractions by the entrance. Entrance to the reserve itself is only 40 Rands, (or £1.68, at the time of writing). Proceeds go toward the maintenance of the colony and the betterment of the species that live there.
The boardwalk winds along the coast to the point
There is a long boardwalk that takes you through the colony itself, out to the end of the point, from which you can admire the penguins in their natural habitat. Some even jump up onto the boardwalk and make their merry way down alongside you. If it looks from the pictures like the penguins do a lot of standing around, that’s because they do. They love lounging around in the sun or snoozing in their nests. Watching them is peaceful, cathartic and fascinating. You can book ahead at the link below or simply pay on the door, via cash or card.
Book here.
Penguins don’t care about pretty views
The African penguin is the only penguin that breeds in Africa and, in 2024, was reclassified as a critically endangered species. They’re not doing well but, with some investment and care from those who know what they’re doing, they can thrive once more.
More of this please
Other inhabitants of the Stony Point Nature Reserve
Cormorants
The penguin colony aren’t the only ones who make their home in Betty’s Bay. When you make your way along the boardwalk, you can spot no less than four different types of cormorants, making their home among the rocks to nest, breed and feed. You’ll find the White-breasted, Crowned, Cape and the critically endangered Bank Cormorant swooping to and fro along the coast, picking up pieces of the abundant kelp to help build their nests.
Bank cormorants rest before their next foray into the sea
Dassies
Additionally, you can spot what are reputed to be the angriest and most ferocious little creatures known to man - the horrifying and vengeful Dassie, also known as the Rock Hyrax, or AWAWA, if you’ve seen the internet memes.
Leave me alone
They make their home among the rocks and boulders strewn across the beaches, lounging and sunning themselves, chasing each other around or nibbling on the vegetation. They don’t appear remotely bothered by the presence of the penguins, but they will stare you down if you get too close. Fortunately, their bark is worse than their bite and they’re likely to run for cover rather than actually confront you. They are also extremely funny.
Do not disturb
Plan to visit Betty’s Bay soon?
If you’re in the Hermanus/Betty’s Bay area and fancy a calm afternoon out with the family, the Stony Point Penguin Colony is a fantastic way to spend a couple of hours. There’s even a restaurant if you fancy a nibble or a drink while looking out across the bay. Lovely. Do you have plans to get down to Betty’s Bay soon?
As an aside, if you’d like to support the site, you can buy us our next coffee or entry back into the colony at the link below. Cheers!