How to Get to Boulders Beach & Parking
Navigate the scenic 40 km coastal route from central Cape Town with confidence.
Transportation Quick Reference (August 2026 Fact-Checked)
Skip the Drive: Top Guided Tours from Cape Town
Avoid fighting for scarce parking spaces in Simon's Town with convenient hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, and professional driver-guides.
Self-Drive Ticket
Boulders Penguin Colony Prebooked Entry Ticket
If you are driving or taking an Uber yourself, pre-book to guarantee entry during capacity caps and skip long turnstile lines.
Half-Day Transport
Penguin Watching at Boulders Beach Half Day Tour
Hotel pickup & drop-off in Cape Town, Chapman's Peak Drive, Maidens Cove stops, and 2 hours at Boulders Beach.
👑 #1 Cape Town Bestseller
From Cape Town: Cape Point & Boulders Beach Full-Day Tour
The definitive Peninsula day trip: hotel pickup, Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape of Good Hope, and 1 hour with penguins.
Transportation Methods Comparison from Cape Town
Side-by-side breakdown of all 5 transport modes: cost, journey duration, key advantages, gotchas, and who each option suits best.
| Mode of Transport | Typical Cost (2026 ZAR / USD / EUR) | Travel Time | Key Advantages | Watch Outs & Gotchas | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🚐 Guided Small Group Tour
⭐ Top Recommended
|
$50–$65 USD
~€46–€60 / R900–R1,200 ZAR
|
⏱️ 8–9 hrs | Stress-free hotel pickup, Chapman's Peak toll included, Cape Point included | Fixed tour schedule | First-time visitors & solo travelers |
|
🚗 Rideshare (Uber / Bolt)
|
R380–R480 ZAR
one-way (~$21–$26 USD / ~€19–€24 EUR)
|
⏱️ 50–60 mins | Door-to-door, no parking search, flexible arrival | 15–25 min return wait late afternoon, surge pricing | Small groups & couples |
|
🚙 Rental Car (Self-Drive)
|
R400–R650 ZAR / day
(~$22–$36 USD) + fuel & R61 toll
|
⏱️ 45–60 mins | Total freedom, stop in Kalk Bay & Muizenberg | Peak summer parking shortage in Simon's Town | Independent road trippers & families |
|
🚌 City Sightseeing Bus
|
R450 ZAR
(~$25 USD / ~€23 EUR)
|
⏱️ 1.5 hrs each way | Scenic double-decker open-top views, audio commentary | Fixed timetable, departs only from select stops | Sightseers wanting narration |
|
🚆 Metrorail Southern Line
|
R15–R35 ZAR
(~$1–$2 USD)
|
⏱️ 75–90 mins | Ultra budget, coastal views from Muizenberg to Simon's Town | Irregular scheduling, PRASA infrastructure delays, 1.5 km walk from Simon's Town station | Adventurous backpackers only |
Driving Directions: 3 Scenic Routes from Cape Town
Choose the right path depending on whether your priority is raw speed, bohemian seaside villages, or world-famous ocean cliff vistas.
Route 1: M3 Highway + Ou Kaapse Weg (M64)
The quickest and most dependable highway link from Cape Town City Bowl. Heads south along the M3 past Newlands and Tokai, crests the dramatic Ou Kaapse Weg mountain pass with sweeping views over Silvermine, and descends directly into Sun Valley and Simon's Town.
- 📍 Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (nearby on M3)
- 📍 Steenberg Vineyards in Constantia Wine Valley
- 📍 Silvermine Nature Reserve & Dam overlook
- 📍 Glencairn Beach & Tidal Pool
Route 2: M4 Coastal Route via False Bay
The quintessential classic Cape coastal drive. Exits the M3 onto Main Road (M4) at Muizenberg, then follows the train tracks directly alongside the glistening waters of False Bay, threading through a chain of historic seaside communities before reaching Simon's Town.
- 📍 Muizenberg Beach & iconic colorful Victorian bathing boxes
- 📍 St James Beach & tidal pool
- 📍 Kalk Bay working fishing harbor (Kalky's fish & chips)
- 📍 Clovelly & Fish Hoek sandy beach bay
Route 3: Atlantic Coast via Chapman's Peak (M6)
Widely celebrated as one of the world's premier coastal drives. Winds along the Atlantic Seaboard through Camps Bay and Hout Bay, scales Chapman's Peak Drive with 114 curves chiseled into sheer sea cliffs, then drops into Noordhoek and cuts across to Simon's Town via the M65.
- 📍 Camps Bay beachfront promenade & 12 Apostles peaks
- 📍 Hout Bay harbour & Mariner's Wharf
- 📍 Chapman's Peak Drive lookout perches (whale watching spot)
- 📍 Noordhoek Farm Village & Kommetjie lighthouse turnoff
Watch the Drive: Chapman's Peak to Simon's Town
Experience the breathtaking Atlantic sea cliff panoramas and the coastal approach to Simon's Town in 4K before you hit the road.
Where to Park in Simon's Town: Gate A vs Gate B
Boulders Beach features two distinct visitor access gates located 700 meters apart. Parking in the right lot saves time and avoids unnecessary uphill walking.
Gate A: Seaforth Car Park (Kleintuin Rd End)
The main designated municipal parking lot situated at the end of Seaforth Road, right next to Seaforth Restaurant and the shaded public beach grass lawns.
- 📍 Exact Location: Seaforth Road roundabout, Simon's Town.
- 🚗 Lot Capacity: Large paved lot (120+ spaces) with dedicated tour coach bays.
- 🚶 Distance to Turnstile: Flat 3-minute walk (250m) along a paved tree-lined footpath to Boulders Beach swimming cove.
- 🚻 Amenities: Public restrooms, Seaforth Restaurant, beach kiosk, wheelchair ramp.
- ⏰ Arrival Window: Typically has open bays until 10:30 AM on sunny summer weekends.
Gate B: Bellevue Road / Bellevue Turnstile
The primary visitor turnstile giving immediate access to the famous wheelchair-accessible wooden boardwalks overlooking the Foxy Beach nesting sanctuary.
- 📍 Exact Location: Bellevue Road & Kleintuin Road junction.
- 🚗 Lot Capacity: Small paved lot (~40 spaces), very high turnover.
- 🚶 Distance to Turnstile: Direct 30-second walk right to the SANParks ticket office and wooden boardwalk ramps.
- ℹ️ Amenities: SANParks Visitor Information Center, gift shop, local souvenir market stalls.
- ⏰ Arrival Window: Fills completely by 09:30 AM during peak season. If full, redirect to Seaforth.
Car marshals operate in all Simon's Town public parking areas. Understanding local conventions ensures a smooth, stress-free experience:
1. Official vs Unauthorized Marshals
Official marshals wear high-visibility neon bibs registered with the Simon's Town Community Police Forum (STCPF) or City of Cape Town. Anyone demanding money upfront or aggressively directing cars without credentials is unauthorized.
2. Customary Tipping Conventions
A tip of R10 to R20 ZAR cash (~$0.55–$1.10 USD) is standard practice in South Africa. Always hand your tip to the attendant ONLY upon departure when you return to your vehicle. Never pay in advance upon arrival.
3. Strict Smash-and-Grab Advisory
Opportunistic thefts occur at scenic beaches worldwide. Never leave loose belongings visible on car seats or dash (backpacks, sunglasses, charging cables, or cameras). Lock all luggage inside the boot/trunk before arriving.
Uber & Rideshare Insider Strategy from Cape Town
Rideshare services (UberX, Uber Comfort, Bolt) operate reliably between central Cape Town and Simon's Town. One-way fares typically range between R380 to R480 ZAR (~$21–$26 USD / ~€19–€24 EUR) depending on time of day, vehicle tier, and surge pricing.
Essential Rideshare Tips:
- Set Drop-Off Point: Pin your location at Seaforth Road Roundabout. Navigating narrow Kleintuin Road can confuse GPS drivers and cause delays.
- Return Wait Times: In late afternoon (16:00–17:00 PM), nearby available Ubers may be in Fish Hoek or Muizenberg. Request your return ride 15 to 25 minutes before you wish to depart.
- Winter Gate Hours: During winter months (May–September), gates close at 17:00 PM. Book your ride by 16:30 PM to avoid being stranded after dark.
- Mobile Reception: Cellular data connectivity (MTN, Vodacom, Telkom) is strong and reliable throughout both parking lots and turnstile entrances.
Interactive Route & Parking Map
Pinpointing Seaforth Car Park, Kleintuin Road, and turnstile gates.
Coastal Weather Check
Real-time weather conditions in Simon's Town for driving, backed by regional forecasts from the South African Weather Service and park entry updates at SANParks Boulders.
Frequently Asked Questions About Transport & Parking
Historically, the Metrorail Southern Line ran from Cape Town Station to Simon's Town. While service operates along sections of the line, frequency varies. Taking a guided day tour, rental car, or Uber is currently the most reliable choice for visitors.
Lot and street parking in Simon's Town is generally free of fixed meter fees. Registered community car marshals in high-visibility vests assist with parking security. Tipping marshals R10 to R20 ZAR (~$0.55–$1.10 USD) upon departure is customary and widely appreciated.
Yes, Ubers operate regularly in Simon's Town during daylight hours. However, return wait times can reach 15–25 minutes late in the afternoon. Set your pickup point at Seaforth Road Roundabout and book early before winter gate closure at 17:00 PM.
The toll fee for standard passenger cars on Chapman's Peak Drive is R61 ZAR one-way. Payment is accepted via Visa, Mastercard, credit/debit cards, or cash at the Hout Bay toll plaza.
On sunny weekends and summer holidays, official parking lots at Seaforth and Kleintuin Road fill completely by 09:30 AM. Arrive before 09:00 AM or in the late afternoon to secure parking easily.
Large campervans, motorhomes, and tour buses should park exclusively in designated coach parking bays along upper Seaforth Road. Residential streets like Kleintuin Road are narrow and unsuitable for large vehicles.
From Seaforth Car Park, it is a flat 3-minute walk to Boulders Beach cove turnstile and a scenic 5-7 minute paved boardwalk walk to the main Foxy Beach nesting viewing platform.
