Simon's Town City
City in Western Cape, South Africa
On False Bay, Simon's Town mixes a naval base, a penguin colony at Boulders Beach and seafood shacks. Divers, history buffs and photographers arrive for Cape Point drives, seal-watching boat trips and maritime museums.
Simon's Town at a Glance#
Costs: Typical tourist budget: $90-170/day - moderate to high-Cape Town-day-trip prices apply for food and tours.
Safety: Mostly safe with common-sense caution - generally safe in tourist areas; watch for petty crime in busy spots.
Best Time: October-March - southern-hemisphere summer is best for beaches and wildlife.
Why Visit Simon's Town?#
Set along False Bay, Simon’s Town is widely visited for the Boulders Beach African penguin colony and its long naval history at the South African Navy base. Victorian waterfront streets host cafés and seafood restaurants serving grilled snoek and local crayfish, and boat trips to Seal Island and Cape Point depart nearby. The town combines marine wildlife viewing, naval museums and seaside leisure, making it popular with families and nature-minded travelers seeking coastal character and wildlife encounters.
Best Things to Do in Simon's Town#
Simon's Town Bucket List#
Boulders Beach Penguin Colony - See African penguins up close on the sheltered beaches near Simon’s Town.
Simon’s Town Museum - Discover maritime history and local heritage in this compact town museum.
South African Naval Museum - Explore exhibits about the navy’s role, ships and Simon’s Town naval history.
St. James Church - Visit the historic wooden church hosting occasional concerts and community events.
Simon’s Town Harbour Walks - Follow the waterfront trail past colourful houses, galleries and fishing boats.
Seaforth Beach and Tide Pools - Explore quieter rocky coves and tide pools perfect for rockpooling and photography.
Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope - Drive along the peninsula to dramatic coastal scenery and nature reserve viewpoints.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden - Spend time in one of the world’s great botanical gardens on Table Mountain slopes.
Best Time to Visit Simon's Town#
Simon’s Town shines in summer for beaches and water sports; spring offers mild weather and fewer people. Winters are cooler and wetter, with rough seas but dramatic coastal scenery.
December - February
18 to 28 °C (64 to 82 °F)
Hot, dry summer days perfect for beaches and boat trips; expect busy beaches and lively seaside restaurants.
March - August
7 to 22 °C (45 to 72 °F)
Cooler, wetter months with the bulk of annual rain in winter - quieter, dramatic seas and fewer tourists but bring a jacket.
September - November
12 to 20 °C (54 to 68 °F)
Pleasant, mild and blooming - excellent for whale-watching, coastal drives and avoiding peak-season crowds.
Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in February) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 10°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (559 mm/year).
January
January is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 15 mm, mostly sunny skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall.
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April
April is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 97 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.
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November
November is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall.
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December
December is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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How to Get to Simon's Town#
Simon’s Town is reached from Cape Town by the coastal Metrorail line or by road from Cape Town International. For safety and reliability when carrying luggage, many visitors prefer a rental car or prebooked transfer; the train remains a scenic, low-cost option for daytime travel.
Cape Town International Airport (CPT): The main gateway for Simon’s Town, about 50-60 km away (roughly 45-75 minutes by car depending on traffic). From CPT you can rent a car and drive the scenic False Bay/Coastal Route (M3/M4) to Simon’s Town, or take a shuttle/taxi to Cape Town city and then the Metrorail Southern Line. Taxi/shuttle from the airport to Simon’s Town will be significantly more expensive than rail (~R800-2,000 depending on operator and route).
Other domestic airports: Some domestic flights into Cape Town are seasonal or via connections-most international travellers use CPT and continue by road or rail to Simon’s Town.
Train: Metrorail’s Southern Line runs from Cape Town station to Simon’s Town station; the journey along the coast takes about 70-90 minutes. Trains are cheap (single fares historically low, often under R30-R50 for longer commuter sectors) but are commuter services with varying levels of reliability and security-avoid off-peak isolated carriages and check current advisories.
Bus / Minibus taxi: Minibus taxis and some bus services run along the False Bay coast and between suburbs; they are an inexpensive and common way to travel but operate informally. For safety and comfort, many visitors prefer the train or a rented car.
How to Get Around Simon's Town#
For Simon’s Town the main choices are the scenic (but variable) Metrorail Southern Line or driving along the coast from Cape Town. For safety and convenience with luggage, a rented car or prebooked shuttle is usually the best option.
- Metrorail Southern Line (Approximately R20-R50 (typical commuter fare, subject to change)) - The commuter train from Cape Town to Simon’s Town is the most budget-friendly option and offers a scenic coastal route. Trains can be crowded and service reliability varies-use daytime trains and keep valuables secure. Check the Metrorail schedule and local advisories before travel.
- Car rental / self-drive (From ~R350/day (varies)) - Driving from Cape Town International Airport or Cape Town city to Simon’s Town is the most flexible option, letting you stop at scenic points along False Bay. Expect 45-75 minutes driving time depending on traffic. Parking in Simon’s Town is available but can be limited during peak season.
- Taxi / Shuttle (R800-2,000) - Prebooked airport shuttles and taxis provide door-to-door service and are safer choices late at night or with luggage. Fares are higher than public transport-expect R800-2,000 depending on pickup location and service level. Use reputable operators.
- Minibus taxi (R10-R40) - The informal minibus taxi network serves many local routes and is widely used by residents. It’s fast and cheap but can be crowded and operates without formal timetables-suitable for experienced local travellers rather than tourists unfamiliar with routes.
- Bicycle (Varies (local hire)) - Local cycling is possible for short rides around the town and nearby coastal paths; many visitors enjoy cycling for short sightseeing trips. Steep hills and variable road shoulders mean e-bikes or moderate fitness are helpful for longer rides.
- Walking - Simon’s Town centre and waterfront are compact and best enjoyed on foot. Walking is ideal for visiting the naval museum, shops and restaurants; wear comfortable shoes for rocky or uneven foreshore areas.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Simon’s Town’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Simon's Town#
Shopping is geared to tourists and local needs: small galleries, souvenir shops, marine- and beach-themed stores, and fresh-fish sellers. You’ll find artisanal gifts and local foodstuffs rather than large malls. For major retail and brand shopping, head into Cape Town or larger suburban centres.
Nightlife in Simon's Town#
Nightlife in Simon’s Town is relaxed: seafood restaurants, a few cosy pubs and occasional live-music nights. It’s well suited to laid-back evenings rather than clubbing. For a more energetic nightlife scene with clubs and late-night venues, plan travel into Cape Town.
