Want to see a penguin? Baby boomer travelers don’t have to sail to Antarctica to visit a colony of the flightless birds. Locations in South Africa, South America, Australia and the Galapagos Islands offer chances to observe and photograph the fascinating birds.
On a trip to South Africa, Alan and I added penguin sightings to our list of lions, elephants and giraffe. At Stony Point in Betty’s Bay, we walked the boardwalk that meandered along the shore for a close-up view of Jackass Penguins (also called African Penguins). We watched as they huddled in groups or waddled to the sea, becoming sleek swimmers once in the water. Our presence didn’t seem to disturb them. It was almost as if they were posing for us. And after hearing their braying calls, we understood why they are called Jackass Penguins.
Betty’s Bay is located on the Clarence Drive Route, a scenic coastal drive which we traveled from Hermanus to Cape Town. Although Alan and I didn’t see any whales on our visit, the area is known as prime land-based whale watching territory. In fact, walking from the parking area at Stony Point to access the boardwalk, visitors pass beside the remains of an old whaling station.
With hiking in Kogelberg Biosphere, garden walks at Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens plus scenic coastal walks, baby boomer adventurers will find plenty to do in this part of South Africa. Next time, we’ll stay longer.
Have you visited Stony Point or Betty’s Bay? Post a comment to share ideas for my next visit.
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I so look forward to seeing Penguins while in SA during March. Maybe I’ll get lucky and see whales too. Great post. Thanks for the info.
I’m new to your blog and loving it.
I so look forward to seeing Penguins while in SA during March. Maybe I’ll get lucky and see whales too. Great post. Thanks for the info.
I’m new to your blog and loving it.
Donna, South Africa was were I saw my first penguins, Nov. 08 Boulders Beach.
Donna, South Africa was were I saw my first penguins, Nov. 08 Boulders Beach.
We saw them at Boulders Beach. It was a lot of fun watching them walk from their nests in the dunes and wattle down to the surf. We also drove to Hermanus and stopped in Betty’s Bay but not to see the penguins. We are botanists so we had to stop at Harold Porter’s Botanical Garden which is an outstanding display of fynbos.
We spent a week in Capetown and did day trips. September is a great time to visit because of the wildflowers. We went north along the Atlantic coast to Darling for the flower show. We also did a day trip east to the Karoo Botanical Garden in Worcester.
For a perfect Baby Boomer splurge – go to Bushmans Kloof. Highly highly recommended.
We saw them at Boulders Beach. It was a lot of fun watching them walk from their nests in the dunes and wattle down to the surf. We also drove to Hermanus and stopped in Betty’s Bay but not to see the penguins. We are botanists so we had to stop at Harold Porter’s Botanical Garden which is an outstanding display of fynbos.
We spent a week in Capetown and did day trips. September is a great time to visit because of the wildflowers. We went north along the Atlantic coast to Darling for the flower show. We also did a day trip east to the Karoo Botanical Garden in Worcester.
For a perfect Baby Boomer splurge – go to Bushmans Kloof. Highly highly recommended.
You can also see penguins in New Zealand. We visited a nesting area near Dunedin. It was fascinating, but THE SMELL!!
Twitter: DonnaLHull
June 19, 2009 at 8:45 pm
I’ll have to keep Dunedin in mind on my next adventure in New Zealand. The smell was not that bad at the Jackass penguin colony in South Africa. When visiting the penguins in Antarctica, which is very high on my want-to-do list, it’s recommended to place a dab of Vicks Vaporub beneath each nostril to help mask the odor.
You can also see penguins in New Zealand. We visited a nesting area near Dunedin. It was fascinating, but THE SMELL!!
Twitter: DonnaLHull
June 19, 2009 at 1:45 pm
I’ll have to keep Dunedin in mind on my next adventure in New Zealand. The smell was not that bad at the Jackass penguin colony in South Africa. When visiting the penguins in Antarctica, which is very high on my want-to-do list, it’s recommended to place a dab of Vicks Vaporub beneath each nostril to help mask the odor.
Okay, so where HAVEN’T you been and what HAVEN’T you seen? The breadth and depth of your travels amazes me. I want to see that adorable penguin too but I fear a trip to South Africa is probably not going to materialize any time soon…
Okay, so where HAVEN’T you been and what HAVEN’T you seen? The breadth and depth of your travels amazes me. I want to see that adorable penguin too but I fear a trip to South Africa is probably not going to materialize any time soon…
Twitter: ottsworld
October 10, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Loved the penguines at Stony Point! I was stunned to find them in such a warm weather destination as I always thought they lived in the cold!
Twitter: ottsworld
October 11, 2009 at 12:57 am
Loved the penguines at Stony Point! I was stunned to find them in such a warm weather destination as I always thought they lived in the cold!
Yes, Betty’s Bay is such a wonderful place! I spend all my holidays in Bettys Bay every year. Can’t wait to be there again in February!
Twitter: DonnaLHull
October 30, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Thanks for commenting, Bernd. We’d love to go back to Betty’s Bay. What’s your favorite activity while visiting?
@Donna: I love hiking in Kogelberg National Reserve, which is behind Betty’s Bay’s mountains. Walking from there over the mountain to Harold Porter National Botanical Garden is stunning too. But I also love to walk at the beaches. Of course I like eating some nice food. My favourite restaurant is “The Tides”. Their food and their service is excellent. And I must not forget, that I enjoy it very much to sleep in Betty’s Bay. The sound and the smell of the sea is something, I don’t have in germany!
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Twitter: DonnaLHull
November 16, 2011 at 7:42 am
Bernd, what wonderful adventures you’ve had in Betty’s Bay. Hopefully, Alan and I will return one day to take some of the hikes that you mentioned.
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