Hotels in Simonʼs Town

Simon's Town: False Bay Naval Port & Penguin Colony

Simon's Town sits on the eastern shore of the Cape Peninsula, 40 km south of Cape Town along the M3/M4 coastal route. The South African Navy has headquartered here since 1957, and the town's Victorian streetscape along St George's Street reflects its long British colonial past — the Royal Navy controlled the harbour from 1814 to 1957. That layered history draws visitors who pair a morning at the South African Naval Museum with an afternoon at Boulders Beach, home to a protected colony of roughly 2,000 African penguins (Spheniscus demersus).

Where to Stay & Getting Around

Accommodation ranges from guesthouses on the forested slopes above the harbour to small boutique hotels within walking distance of the penguin boardwalks. The Simon's Town station is the southern terminus of the Metrorail Southern Line from Cape Town, making the town reachable without a car — journey time is approximately 70 minutes from Cape Town Central. False Bay waters are warmer than the Atlantic side, and humpback and southern right whales pass through between June and November.

Practical Tips

• Penguins: Book Boulders Beach entry online; capacity limits apply in peak December–January season.
• Train travel: The Metrorail Southern Line runs from Cape Town to Simon's Town; travel during daylight hours.
• Weather: Pack a windproof layer year-round — the Cape Point southeaster blows strongly from October to March.