Boulders Beach dives to #2 spot in 'Top 100 Beaches in the World' list
Cape Town's picturesque Simon's Town awarded second place in the 2024 Golden Beach Awards selected by Beach Atlas.
Boulders Beach. Picture: 123RF
Clarence Ford speaks to Barbara Friedman about trending online stories.
Friedman reports that Cape Town's beloved and iconic Boulders Beach - and its penguins - have won world-class status in the annual quest for the 'Top 100 Beaches in the World'.
She thinks the honour goes to our odd little feathered friends, because those gnarly South-Easter winds would've blown the beach right out of the competition.
"I don't think I would've guessed it, but the penguins swayed it for us, because the wind might have blown it off the list. It's a beautiful beach and we love Boulders, it's gorgeous."
- Barbara Friedman, Barb's Wire - CapeTalk
Top spots were carefully curated and selected by travel experts and influencers from around the world.
Apart from its classic beauty and crisp crystal-clear waters, Beach Atlas praised Boulders for offering more than just a pretty picture.
The beach also portrayed the following criteria:
- Value to the local community
- DEI: think inclusive and diverse
- Party and lifestyle: think Ibiza, luxury, ambience
- Community: yes, it's a hub for locals and everyone who visits
- Cultural significance: besides its exquisite beauty, the beach is also historically significant, adding to its iconic status
- Natural diversity: it's giving flora, fauna and ecological richness (for Boulders, it's the penguins)
Showcasing these requirements, Boulders claimed second prize for its picturesque views, cute waddling penguins, cultural diversity, clear blue waters and, of course, its abundance of trees and boulders providing shade and entertainment for locals and tourists alike.
Golden Beach Award 2024: Top 100 Beaches in the World List, curated by Beach Atlas
"Boulders Beach in South Africa isn't just a picturesque stretch of sand; it's a bustling metropolis for African Penguins, also affectionately known as Jackass Penguins (and yes, they do live up to their name with their distinctive braying sounds). This unique spot allows you to chill on the beach while watching these tuxedo-clad locals waddle around, proving that beach bods come in all shapes and sizes."
- Beach Atlas, Golden Beach Awards 2024
An award that definitely can't be conFISHcated!