Simon's Town offers travelers three distinct themes to choose from: the African penguin colony at Boulders, cultural history at the Simon’s Town Museum, and the Historic Mile Walk. They differ in subject and format: wildlife observation, a collection with exhibitions, and a walk with customary starting and ending points. If you’re planning a stay, you can first decide what interests you most and then choose which of these experiences you’d like to focus on.

Penguins at the Boulders section

The Boulders Penguin Colony in Simon’s Town is home to a land-based colony of African penguins. The Boulders section of Table Mountain National Park includes three beaches, a penguin-viewing area and three boardwalks. The colony and the section are two distinct points of reference: the colony identifies the wildlife theme, while the beaches, viewing area and boardwalks describe the section. When planning your visit, consider whether your main interest is the penguins or whether you’d like to explore the different features of the Boulders section. Follow the visitor guidance posted on site during your visit.

Cultural history at the Simon’s Town Museum

The Simon’s Town Museum collects and displays the cultural history of the people of Simon’s Town and their connections to the Dutch East India Company, the Royal Navy and forced removals. These topics highlight different historical aspects: the connections to the Company and the Royal Navy sit alongside the subject of forced removals, while the cultural history of the people remains at the center. In this way, the museum looks not only at institutions but also at the history of the people of Simon’s Town. For travelers interested in cultural history as well as wildlife, this is a distinct theme to explore. These connections can be viewed as related parts of local history, rather than narrowing the museum’s subject matter to a single connection.

The Simon’s Town Historic Mile Walk

The Simon’s Town Historic Mile Walk offers another way to explore Simon’s Town. It usually starts at Simon’s Town railway station and ends at the gates of the East Dockyard. These two points provide clear guidance for planning your route. Unlike the museum, the walk focuses on a route with customary starting and ending points. If you’re choosing between the two historical options, consider whether you’d prefer the cultural topics covered by the museum or a walk with named landmarks. Check whether the walk is currently available before setting out.

A focus on nature and history

The offerings differ both in subject and format: Boulders represents the penguin colony and the described section of the national park, the museum covers cultural history and historical connections, and the walk follows a route with customary starting and ending points. This makes it easier to choose, without treating the three options as interchangeable activities. If you’re looking for a hotel in Simon’s Town, first consider which of these themes you’d like to shape your stay. That way, you can tailor your search to the reason for your trip: wildlife observation, cultural history or a walk.

Discover more destinations: Llandudno, Melkbosstrand, Hout Bay, Milnerton, Kommetjie, Noordhoek, Durbanville, Southern Suburbs

For the broader travel overview: Cape Town.