4 Best Sights in Simon's Town, South Africa

Part of Table Mountain National Park, a cove sits between giant granite boulders toward the southern outskirts of Simon's Town that's been set aside to protect one of the world's last colonies of African penguins. Here they strut, waddle, swim, flex, parade, primp, preen, breed, nest, snuggle, squawk, and bray like donkeys (hence their nickname, jackass penguins). You can visit the colony via a series of wooden boardwalks, but come early to avoid the frequent busloads of tourists. If you want to avoid the crowds altogether, there are a few penguins on Boulders Beach (which also charges a fee, but is an absolutely glorious and pristine little swimming beach) or on Seaforth Beach. Remember to obey all signs requesting that you leave the penguins in peace, and don't step over fences or try to touch the penguins—they can bite. That said, don't be surprised if a wandering bird comes waddling up to your beach blanket to take a closer look, as they are innately curious.

Opened in 1970, this gemstone factory invites visitors to fill a bag (you pay according to the size of the bag) with semiprecious stones that you pick from a garden filled ankle-deep with tiger’s eye, rose quartz, amethyst, jasper, agates, crystals, and the like. There's also miniature golf, as well as Mineral World, where you can buy gemstone jewelry or observe the factory's operations from a metal boardwalk that overlooks the various machines.

By far the best of the town's various museums, this rather detailed space is filled with model ships, antique navigational equipment, old South African Navy divers' equipment, a few actual life-size boats, and, oddly enough, a helicopter. Interesting, too, are the murals in the old naval church, and some of the stories of rescue missions and naval heroes over the years. The newer "Transformation" section includes a display about the SS Mendi and information about how the navy has changed in democratic South Africa. It's staffed by passionate naval personnel, so you can come armed with intricate questions.

A glorified shop with a collection of Dinky Toys (diecast model vehicles), boats, trains, soldiers, airplanes, some 4,000 model cars, and 500 dolls, this place it likely to appeal more to grown-ups reminiscing about toys from a bygone era than it will be of any real interest to today's digital children. The miniature cars, trains, and tanks date from the 1920s to the present, and the owner is always keen to sell what's available in his collectibles shop.