MEETING THE JACKASS PENGUIN FROM A KAYAK
Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town, used to be famous for it’s setting alone, a series of golden sandy coves and picturesque beach huts, all surrounded by the huge granite boulders, but can now also claim World Heritage status thanks to the colony of endangered Jackass Penguins. The Penguin colony continues to grow. While the first breeding pair was spotted on the beach back in 1983, since then has grown to over 2500 birds. The Penquins have probably come to False Bay because of the good fishing available since commercial purse seine fishing has been banned in the Bay.
Although Simon's Town is very proud of its penguins, nearby residents suffered badly as the birds invaded their gardens, destroyed the undergrowth and were generally very noisy and messy. The management of huge tourist numbers has also been a problem. As a result, the area has now been taken over by the Table Mountain National Park and the birds have been restrained from wandering inland by a fence. Board walks and an information room has all been established.
One of the best ways to see the penguins is from a sea kayak. Kayak Cape Town is based at the Simon’s Town Waterfront and offers guided tours of the local coastline and Boulders. The double-bottomed kayaks are very stable, require no experience and are not terribly taxing to paddle. Paddlers get the opportunity to come within touching distance of the birds as the swim around and under the kayaks.The tour departs from the Waterfront, passes the civilian and naval harbours and after the penguins stops on a secluded beach for refreshments and snorkelling.
Boulders still remains the only place in the world where one can actually swim amongst the penguins as they have continued to invade more beaches. They are remarkably untroubled by people but one should avoid harassing them by getting too close or chasing them. Watch out! They have a vicious bite. Needless to say, adoption is not an option. February to August is breeding season and the beach now reverberates to the harsh braying sounds of the Jackass males, which is also responsible for their name.
Simon’s Town is less than an hour’s drive from the centre of Cape Town and well worth a visit on it’s own. Find out more about kayak tours at www.kayakcapetown.co.za or phone 082 501 8930. The Table Mountain National Park, of which Boulders is a part, has its website at www.sanparks.org/parks/table_
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