Guided stand-up paddleboarding sessions on the sheltered False Bay side of the Peninsula, launching from the Simon’s Town Boardwalk Centre for either a marina paddle or a longer trip along the coast towards the penguin beaches.
Simon’s Town sits on the sheltered side of the Peninsula, which is what makes this work. False Bay here is calm enough that a first-timer can stand up on a board within a few minutes, and the operator runs guided sessions from the Simon’s Town Boardwalk Centre, on the water’s edge next to the False Bay Yacht Club.
There are two shapes of session. The marina paddle stays among the moored boats and the working waterfront, which is the gentler introduction. The penguin paddle takes you along the coast towards the beaches the African penguin colony uses, and is the reason most people book. Neither is a race; the guide sets the pace and the point is to be on the water rather than to cover distance.
The operator asks for basic swimming ability, basic fitness and a willingness to paddle, and runs the penguin tour with a minimum of three people. Boards and gear are provided.
This is a Simon’s Town product specifically. The same operator works other beaches around the Peninsula, but the penguin paddle only makes sense from this side of the mountain.
Highlights
- Launches from the Simon’s Town waterfront
- Sheltered False Bay water, suited to first-timers
- Penguin paddle along the colony coastline
- Boards and gear provided
Tips
The penguin tour runs with a minimum of three people, so a couple or a solo paddler may need to join a larger group or wait for one. Book through the operator rather than turning up, since sessions are guided and grouped.