A mainland African penguin colony on the Whale Coast, with a boardwalk over the breeding birds at Stony Point. A quieter alternative to Boulders Beach, on the spectacular Clarence Drive between Cape Town and Hermanus.
Betty’s Bay is a small coastal village on the Whale Coast, set in the fynbos of the Kogelberg between Cape Town and Hermanus, and its main draw is one of the rarest things to find on the African mainland: a breeding colony of penguins. At Stony Point, a boardwalk runs right over the birds, which nest among the rocks and the bush within touching distance of the path, though touching is exactly what you don’t do.
The African penguin is now classed as critically endangered, its numbers down sharply over the last century, so Stony Point is both a delight and a place to tread lightly. Keep to the boardwalk, give the penguins room and never feed them; they’re wild, and they can bite hard. Four species of cormorant breed here as well, dassies sun themselves on the rocks, and the rusting try-pots of an old whaling station are a reminder of what this coast once did to its wildlife.
There’s an easy hour or two to make of it. The Harold Porter National Botanical Garden in the village protects a patch of Kogelberg fynbos, with short trails to a waterfall, and the whole stretch is strung along Clarence Drive, the cliff-edge R44 that is one of the country’s great coast roads. Most people pass through on the way between Cape Town and Hermanus, with whales offshore in season, but Betty’s Bay is worth slowing down for.
Walk the boardwalk over the penguins, then the coast and the garden nearby. About an hour.
A boardwalk runs over the Stony Point colony, where African penguins nest among the fynbos and rocks right beside the sea. Four cormorant species breed here too, and the rusting try-pots of an old whaling station still stand on the point. Pay the small reserve fee at the gate and take your time.
Betty's Bay sits on Clarence Drive, the cliff-edge R44 that ranks among the world's great coast roads, with whales offshore in season. In the village, the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden protects a slice of Kogelberg fynbos, with easy trails to a waterfall and the mountain behind.
The penguins are most active early, the light is good and the colony is quieter before the day-trippers arrive from Cape Town.
African penguins are critically endangered and they nest right by the path. Stay on the boardwalk, give them room, don't feed them, and remember they can give a hard bite.
The botanical garden in the village is a lovely fynbos stop, with a short walk to a waterfall, and an easy pairing with the penguins.
The R44 along the coast from Gordon's Bay is one of South Africa's finest drives. Take it slowly and stop at the viewpoints for whales in season.
Stony Point charges a small CapeNature entry fee, and the kiosk doesn't always take cards. Keep a little cash on hand.
If you've missed Boulders Beach near Cape Town, Stony Point is the calmer, less crowded place to see African penguins on the mainland.
Pair the penguins with the coast and the whales through our trusted partners, at the same price as booking direct.
A boat trip from nearby Hermanus for southern right and humpback whales in season, plus dolphins and seals.
Book on GetYourGuide →A boat safari off the Whale Coast for the 'marine Big Five': whales, seals, penguins, dolphins and sharks.
See sea safaris →A guided day down the coast from Cape Town, with whale watching and the seaside towns of the Whale Coast.
See coast tours →Guesthouses in Betty's Bay, Kleinmond and Hermanus, strung along the Whale Coast.
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Betty's Bay is the wildlife stop on the Whale Coast drive. See the rest of what the coast holds.
