Cape Town Tour: Cape of Good Hope & Boulders Beach – Honest Review

If you are thinking about a day trip that really captures the amazing landscape and cute animal life around Cape Town, you’ve likely heard of the Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach tour. We recently went on one, and let me tell you, it’s more than just postcard scenery and penguin sightings. This is our firsthand experience – what worked, what didn’t, and is that tour truly worth your time and, more importantly, your money.

What to Expect from Your Cape Peninsula Adventure

The tour usually kicks off pretty early. Tours get going around 8 AM, so you can beat some of the traffic headed out of Cape Town. The nice thing, at the beginning, at any rate, is that you can sit back and take in the view, since, of course, that is if you didn’t drive yourself. You’re headed towards the Cape Peninsula, a stretch of land that feels like the earth decided to show off a bit. You get these sweeping coastal roads, views of the ocean doing its thing, and mountain ranges popping up everywhere.

One thing I noticed right off the bat is just that the tour guides really do seem to know their stuff. They’re loaded with bits of local stories and cool information that really add something to the whole experience, so, in a way, it goes beyond just seeing nice spots. I found, in a few respects, the trip to be sort of like taking a history lesson mixed with nature documentary – very informative, very enjoyable.

Cape of Good Hope: Where Two Oceans Meet (Kind Of)

Alright, so the Cape of Good Hope, that it tends to be, more or less, the star of the show. Prepare for some pretty unbelievable sights. You hike, or maybe even take a little funicular ride (for a tiny additional fee), up to the lighthouse, and there it is, as a matter of fact, an insane view. You can see the point where, apparently, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans supposedly meet. Is it a perfect line in the water? Not really, very, very, not much in the way of a noticeable contrast but, it is still amazing being there, to be perfectly honest, staring out into what feels like the edge of the earth.

Do get ready for wind, it’s almost constantly blowing. And crowds. The spot can be, you know, a little touristy, just slightly crowded, but even with people milling about, it’s hard not to just stand there for a bit and soak it all up. The landscape has got this rugged feel, you see, the waves crashing against the rocks. It’s a spot that, arguably, lives up to the hype, tends to be that way anyhow.

Boulders Beach: Penguin Paradise

Next on the list: Boulders Beach, that is where the penguins reside. And I have got to tell you, these little guys are the cutest things. It’s a beach, or several beaches, where a colony of African penguins has decided to set up shop, arguably making the place a paradise for all penguins involved. You walk along these boardwalks, that protect the nests and keep the birds relatively undisturbed, so, you get to see them waddling around, sunbathing, and generally doing their penguin thing.

You can even get down onto the beach itself, since you’re near them. Keep a bit of distance, very, very important though, these are wild animals, and they, for one, can bite if they get spooked. Is that an awesome photo op? For certain. It’s something else entirely to just sit and watch them; the time to take in the whole scene is certainly worth spending, I think, in my experience.

Potential Tour Stops: Simon’s Town & More

A solid number of tours will tack on a couple of extra stops, so you get more for your money, too it’s almost a guarantee. Simon’s Town, as a matter of fact, tends to be one of these. This is a little naval town with some old-school charm. You stroll around the harbor, you see, you can get a feel for the history, and usually snag some lunch at a local spot. The harbor itself is actually something worth checking out. There is some shopping to do there, you know.

Another maybe? Could be Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. Truly, just an amazingly pretty spot with an unbelievable collection of plants from the area, usually providing an experience. So if gardens are your kind of thing, well, in fact, this could really be the highlight. But, this will be another additional cost, that said.

Things That Could Be Better

No tour is ever 100% amazing, since it is very hard to control absolutely everything, even for professionals. One huge thing to keep in mind is the crowds. Some places can be seriously packed, you know, at pretty popular times. I am talking about jostling for a view at Cape Point or trying to squeeze through the boardwalk at Boulders Beach, so it can definitely happen. If you really don’t care for crowds, consider going during the off-season (winter in South Africa) or maybe, for instance, looking at a private tour to provide that more intimate experience.

Another thing would be the time at each location. On a group tour, sometimes it can feel like a bit of a rush. The tour companies do have, seemingly, a schedule to keep, so that does not always leave a lot of room for exploring at your speed, that is if you decide to go to certain sites. The additional stops, such as they are, can be brief too. That is only, though, if seeing everything in a chilled out, relaxed, state, and detailed view is what you prefer.

Is the Cape Point, Boulders Beach Tour Worth It?

At the end of the day, very really considering all the variables, so is the Cape Point and Boulders Beach tour worth the cost? For most people, very nearly definitely yes, because that might be the way to go. The unbelievable scenery is quite beautiful. Then seeing the penguins, that’s like your “National Geographic” moment, yet it’s happening right in front of your eyes. Having someone else do the driving and tell you all about the location makes it even easier to be fully present and appreciative, too it’s almost that convenient.

Just keep those possible downsides in your thoughts: The throngs of tourists can actually get quite crazy. You’re not exactly going to be alone with your feelings there, in those famous settings. It tends to be you sharing that little slice of paradise with lots and lots of others. Is that quick tour tempo right for you? Very, very possibly only you can actually make that judgment, to be completely honest. Still, a few people have indicated that their biggest complaint involves only having a handful of moments to take it all in.