STONY POINT NATURE RESERVE
ABOUT
Located in the picturesque coastal town of Betty’s Bay in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, the Stony Point Nature Reserve is home to one of the largest successful breeding colonies of African Penguins in the world. This has undoubtedly made the Stony Point Nature Reserve one of Cape Nature’s most sought-after reserves for locals and travellers alike. Stony Point gives visitors the opportunity to witness Cape Town’s favourite ocean locals, the cool and charismatic African Penguins, up-close in their natural habitat by means of boardwalks that wind through the reserve.
African Penguins aren’t the only marine life or wildlife you’ll have the pleasure of seeing on your visit to the Stony Point Nature Reserve. This Cape Nature reserve is home to a colony of cormorants which includes three species: The Crowned cormorant, Cape cormorant and Bank cormorant, all of which breed on the outer rocks. There are also Hartlaub’s Gulls and Kelp Gulls which forage in the colony, while the infamous Rock Hyrax, more commonly known as the Dassie, can frequently be spotted on the surrounding rocks. Its safe to say that a visit to the Stony Point Nature Reserve in Betty’s Bay deserves to be on every nature, marine and wildlife lover’s Cape Town bucket-list!
ACTIVITIES
#AFRICAN PENGUIN COLONY
Home to roughly 3 600 African Penguins, the thriving African Penguin colony is undoubtedly the most sought-after attraction and top reason to visit this incredible Cape Nature Reserve. Stony Point Nature Reserve along with Boulders Beach, are two of the only mainland sites in the Western Cape that afford you the privilege of getting up close and personal with the African Penguins in their natural habitat. As there are very few mainland penguin sites in the world, we can consider ourselves extremely lucky! This makes a visit to the Stony Point Nature Reserve to see its beloved African Penguin colony a bucket-list worthy experience in every way!
To get to the African Penguin viewing site at Stony Point visitors will walk along a well-constructed boardwalk that winds its way through the colony. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy incredible up-close sightings of these playful and charismatic ocean beings without disturbing or interfering with their daily activities. To top it off, there are also four species of cormorant (Bank, Cape, Crowned and White-breasted) that breed and nest on the rocks near the colony that you will have the pleasure of seeing on your visit.
STONY POINT NATURE CONSERVATION
Photo credit: CapeNature
The Stony Point Nature Reserve conservation efforts are aimed at protecting the endangered and beloved marine life species residing within the reserve. This unique mainland seabird breeding colony is home to three endangered seabird species and one rarity. The African Penguin colony is the focus point of the conservation efforts.
Did you know that the African Penguin made its way from declining off-shore island colonies to this rocky mainland location in 1982? With the help of various conservation efforts and initiatives, the Stony Point Nature Reserve currently supports the largest penguin colony in the Western Cape with over 2 000 seasoned breeding pairs predominately residing at the rocky outcrops of Beacon Bay in Stony Point.
In addition to Stony Point’s thriving African Penguin colony, the Cape cormorant population is progressively increasing in size due to the symbiotic foraging relationship they share with the deep diving penguin and other neighbourly marine predators. Finally, the rarity at the Stony Point Nature Reserve, the Crowned cormorant, pairing numbers are also increasing due to various conservation initiatives. These majestic ocean beings also predominate the rocky out crops of Beacon Bay.
HOW TO GET TO THERE
- GPS co-ordinates: 34 37 14.21 S, 18 89 32.65 E
Stony Point is located a 60 -90-minute drive from Cape Town. From Cape Town, take the N2 north. Just before you reach Sir Lowry’s Pass, turn right onto Sir Lowry’s Pass Road. At the T-junction in Gordon’s Bay, turn left onto the R44 (Clarence Drive) and continue to follow the road along the coast past Rooi Els and Pringle Bay. When you see the first sign indicating Betty’s Bay, turn right onto Porter Road. Follow Porter Road for approximately 2.5km, then turn right into Crassula Avenue. When you reach a four way stop 600m down Crassula Avenue, turn right onto Disa Road and follow the signs to Stony Point, which will be on your left-hand side.
CONSERVATION FEE
| Conservation Fee | |
| Adults | R25 (Wild Card not accepted) |
| Children | R15 (Wild Card not accepted) |
ACCESSIBILITY
Photo credit: CapeNature
- Walking Stick friendly
- Wheelchair friendly
CONTACT INFORMATION
- Location: Stony Point Penguin Colony, Betty’s Bay, Cape Overberg Region, Western Cape
- Operating hours: 08:00 – 16:30 (last permits issued at 16:00, gates close at 16:30 sharp)
- Reserve office phone number: 087 087 3001
- Emergency number: 082 453 0835 (Answering machine will refer to officer on duty)
- Cellphone reception: Yes
