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)
Guided Day Trips with Direct Hotel Pickup
Skip renting cars or searching for scarce weekend parking spots in Simon's Town.
Nature Lovers
Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Penguins Day Tour from Cape Town
Best Value
Boulders Beach Penguins Half Day Tour
Adventure Seekers
Half Day Boulders Penguins and Cape Point Small Group Tour
Transportation Methods Comparison from Cape Town (2026 Rates)
| Guided Small Group Tour | – USD per person | 8 to 9 Hours (Full Day) | Includes hotel pickup, guide, Cape Point & tickets | Fixed itinerary schedule |
| Rental Car (M3 / M4 Route) | R400 – R700 ZAR per day | 45 – 60 Mins each way | Maximum flexibility & stopping along False Bay | Peak weekend parking shortage |
| Rideshare (Uber / Bolt) | R700 – R950 ZAR round trip | 50 Mins each way | No driving stress; dropped at turnstile | 15-25 min wait for return Uber in late afternoon |
| City Sightseeing Hop-On Bus | ~ USD per person | Flexible day tour | Scenic double-decker open top views | Requires connecting taxi from Fish Hoek |
Driving Directions: Scenic Coastal Routes & Toll Fees
Driving from Cape Town City Bowl or V&A Waterfront to Boulders Beach takes approximately 50 minutes along two distinct scenic routes:
Route 1: M3 Highway via Muizenberg & False Bay (Fastest)
Head south out of Cape Town on the M3 highway toward suburban Tokai. At the end of the M3, follow signposts onto the Ou Kaapse Weg mountain pass (M64) or continue through Muizenberg along Main Road (M4). The M4 skirts the False Bay coastline, passing charming seaside villages of St James, Kalk Bay, and Fish Hoek before entering Simon's Town.
Route 2: M6 via Chapman's Peak Drive (Most Scenic)
For one of the world's most spectacular coastal drives, head along the Atlantic Seaboard through Camps Bay and Hout Bay. Pass through the famous Chapman's Peak Drive toll gate (R61 ZAR toll fee payable by card or cash), descend into Noordhoek, and cross over to Simon's Town via Kommetjie Road (M65). This route adds 20 minutes to your travel time but rewards drivers with towering cliffside ocean vistas.
Where to Park in Simon's Town: Official Lots & Overflow Strategy
Parking near Boulders Beach fills up rapidly on summer weekends, school holidays, and sunny winter afternoons. Here is the complete breakdown of designated parking zones and overflow strategies:
- 1. Seaforth Beach Main Car Park (Recommended): Located at the end of Seaforth Road. This large paved parking lot sits directly outside the Seaforth Restaurant and visitor info center. Registered municipal car marshals wearing high-visibility vests assist drivers and guard vehicles (a customary tip of R10–R20 ZAR is appreciated upon departure).
- 2. Kleintuin Road Car Park: Located closer to the Foxy Beach wooden boardwalk turnstile. This smaller parking area offers direct access to the main nesting viewing platform but fills completely by 09:30 AM during peak season.
- 3. Bellevue Road & King George Way Overflow: If lower lots are full, reverse up Bellevue Road or park along designated street bays on King George Way, then follow paved pedestrian footpaths down to the beach turnstiles (3 to 5 minutes walk).
- 4. RV & Campervan Parking: Large campervans and tour coaches should park exclusively at the upper Seaforth Road coach bays to avoid narrow residential turnarounds.
Uber & Rideshare Insider Strategy from Cape Town
Rideshare services (UberX, Uber Comfort, Bolt) operate reliably between Cape Town CBD and Simon's Town. One-way fares typically range between R350 to R480 ZAR (~– USD) depending on vehicle tier and traffic conditions.
Pickup & Return Advice:
- Set Pickup Location: Set your drop-off and pickup pin at the Seaforth Road Roundabout rather than narrow Kleintuin Road for smooth driver navigation.
- Return Wait Times: During late afternoon hours (16:00–17:00 PM), drivers may take 15 to 25 minutes to arrive from Fish Hoek or Muizenberg. Plan your exit before the winter gate closing time at 17:00 PM.
- Mobile Coverage: Cell signal (Vodacom, MTN, Telkom) is strong throughout Boulders Beach, so booking rides via mobile apps is seamless.
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.
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 (~.50– 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.
