Boulders Beach has made the list again! The famous Cape Town beach has been named one of the world’s best, coming in at No. 20 for 2026.
Cape Town, South Africa (13 August 2026) – There are plenty of beautiful beaches around the world, but very few where you can swim in calm, clear water while watching endangered African penguins going about their day.
That is what makes Cape Town’s Boulders Beach so wonderfully South African, and it has once again earned international recognition as one of the world’s best beaches.
Boulders Beach has landed at No. 20 on Big 7 Travel’s 50 Best Beaches in the World for 2026, putting this little corner of Simon’s Town firmly among some of the most spectacular stretches of coastline on the planet.
From tropical lagoons in the South Pacific to volcanic shores in Iceland, Big 7 Travel’s 2026 list celebrates beaches that offer something beyond simply a beautiful place to put down a towel. Boulders delivers that in spades.
The sheltered beach, with its enormous granite boulders and calm False Bay waters, has become one of Cape Town’s most beloved attractions. But it is the colony of African penguins that gives it something almost no other beach can offer.
Big 7 Travel describes Boulders as one of the only beaches in the world where visitors can see penguins without travelling to Antarctica, thanks to its year-round colony of endangered African penguins.
The calm waters of the sheltered cove also make the beach a popular swimming spot, offering visitors the unusual experience of sharing the coastline with one of Africa’s most recognisable seabirds.
Boulders is part of the Table Mountain National Park and forms part of the protected area around the penguin colony. Visitors can walk along designated boardwalks and viewing areas to see the birds in their natural environment, while the beach itself offers an opportunity to get into the water.
It is worth remembering, though, that these are wild animals. The best way to enjoy the penguins is to give them plenty of space, never feed them and resist the temptation to touch them, even if one happens to waddle closer than expected.
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Back in 2021, Boulders Beach landed at No. 12 on Big 7 Travel’s list, just as the beach was enjoying another moment in the global spotlight thanks to Netflix’s Penguin Town, which introduced viewers around the world to the charismatic colony.
Five years later, it is still proving that its appeal has nothing to do with a passing trend. It is the combination that makes Boulders so special.
There are the giant granite boulders that shelter the little coves. There is the cool, clear water of False Bay. There is the extraordinary biodiversity. And then there are the penguins, waddling across the sand, swimming through the shallows and reminding visitors that this is their home too.
Big 7 Travel’s 2026 list describes the world’s best beaches as places offering everything from relaxation and wildlife encounters to spectacular underwater experiences. Boulders manages to tick several of those boxes at once.
Go penguins! With around 3,000 penguins calling Boulders home, it’s little wonder the beach stands out. Best viewed during the summer months, these waddling wonders have made Boulders a must-see for travellers and nature-lovers alike. Add to that one of the most scenic drives on the continent, and you’ve got the perfect combo of wild beauty and unforgettable wildlife.
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