Watch Penguins at Play!

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Stony Point Nature Reserve is home to one of the largest and successful breeding colonies of unique African Penguin in the world… A natural breeding ground located in the charming coastal town of Betty’s Bay.

Things in life aren’t always black and white… Of course things that are black and white leave little room for individuality… except for the African Penguin whose specific monochromatic markings are so unique that they personalise the birds like fingerprints on humans. 

What may seem like conservative tuxedo colouring is in fact complex camouflage ensuring that when swimming the penguin’s black back blends with the ocean to predators aflight and that the penguin’s white belly reflects like sunlight to predators lurking the deep. These Black-footed Penguins also known as Jackass Penguins, due to their donkey like bray, breed only in Africa. Stony Point Breeding Colony is one of only two South African breeding colonies that are shore-based.

The circle of life is best observed just after sunrise or just before sunset when the birds return from their 20 km fishing expedition.

Penguins are monogamous and unlike humans there is no confusion as to who their partner is when mating calls (despite the fact that they all look alike!). Penguins return to the same nesting site for up to 15 years with no complaints about the lack of re-modelling. Declared a protected area for this protected species; a wooden boardwalk takes visitors to Stony Point nesting burrows while protecting the indigenous environment. (This allows the public to observe the penguins go about their daily activities in their natural habitat, without disturbing or disrupting them)…Penguins breed throughout the year with a main breeding season being February.

The female lays two eggs with partners taking turns incubating the eggs for 38-42 days. At full waddling height the penguins reach 70 cm weighing 3 kg. This well groomed vulnerable species parades its authentic everyday life in a splendid sea-side setting suitable for a family visit or romantic inspiration.

In addition … Also present in the colony are three species of cormorant; 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 Rock Hyrax, more commonly known as the Dassie, can be seen on the surrounding rocks.

The colony lies on the site of the old Waaygat Whaling Station, which was used to harvest and process whale meat in the early to mid 1900’s. Remnants of the infrastructure for this long-defunct industry can still be found at the site.

There is also a community restaurant adjacent to Stony Point, which sells refreshments and food during the day.

Stony Point Nature Reserve contact information

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

GPS: 34 37 14.21 S, 18 89 32.65 E