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Looking for the best seal swimming encounters in Cape Town?
Come seal snorkeling or diving with Oceans Africa
Oceans Africa is a dive tour and charter company. We are based in Cape Town, where we we run seal snorkeling and scuba diving tours our boat Sea Otter. Seal diving tours are available all year round. Depending on the season we may launch from Simonstown or Hout Bay where we are able to access the best seal encounter sites on Cape Town’s Southern peninsular.
Our seal snorkeling trips in Cape Town are exclusive, and family friendly, with low ratios, personal service and attention to detail.
Seal Encounters Cape Town
Swim, scuba dive or snorkel with seals
Snorkeling with seals in Cape Town is a truly amazing wildlife experience and it’s a real privilege to be able to engage with these animals.
Cape fur seals are one of several species of Otariidae found globally. Fur seals are closely related to sea lions and are gregarious, social and curious. Their inquisitive nature makes them one of only a few wild animals that will allow, human interaction – a true wildlife encounter on the animals terms!
When conducted with sensitively and care, snorkeling, scuba diving and swimming with seals can be one of the most rewarding and powerful experiences.
Seal Colonies in Cape Town
Where do seals gather in Cape Town?
There are several sites around Cape Town where you can find large congregations of Cape fur seals.
The main breeding colonies are at Robben Island in Table Bay, Duiker Island near Hout Bay and Seal Island in False Bay.
There are also several smaller haul-out areas, with Partridge Point and Strawberry Rocks being among the most popular with the Cape Town dive charter operators.
Seal Swimming All Year-round
Best time and place to dive with seals?
Seal encounters can be enjoyed all year round, so where is the best place to swim with seals in Cape Town? The answer depends on the time of year and the conditions on the day.
As a general rule the seal snorkeling at Duiker Island is best in the Summer months when there are the most seal pups and the winter swells have abated. The island provides shelter from the prevailing SE winds in summer that can make diving impossible in False Bay.
Partridge Point in False Bay is perhaps the best year-round seal snorkeling location and is often the only option to snorkel or dive with the seals in winter months. False Bay is protected from SW swells and visibility is often better than the Atlantic seaboard at that time.
When planning your seal snorkeling adventure we will be able to suggest the best options, so give us a call and we can give you the latest updates on conditions.
What Makes Us Different?
Seal snorkeling with Oceans Africa
At Oceans Africa we believe you deserve the best possible experience we can deliver. It’s time to move away from bucket-list type tourism to more personalised and exclusive experiences.
We like to take our time on our seal swimming charters, exploring the local area in search of other marine life on the way.
We always try to stay flexible and adapt our charters to our clients interests, the conditions and the sightings. Our boat trips can launch from Simonstown, Kommetjie or Hout Bay to access the best sites on the day.
Our charters are kept to low ratios to allow a high degree of personal service.
Our Seal Charter Boat
You'll love our boat Sea Otter
Oceans Africa invites you to join us on our boat Sea Otter for a private seal snorkeling charter in the Cape Town area.
Sea Otter is licensed to carry 5 passengers plus your skipper and dive guide. She is the perfect boat for small groups, families and private seal snorkel tours.
With a swim platform at the stern allowing easy entry and exit from the water, Sea Otter is a fantastic boat for free-diving, snorkeling and swimming.
Seal Swimming Safety.
Is it safe to swim with seals?
Safety is the primary concern in all wildlife experiences however no encounter with wild animals is completely without risk.
Cape fur seals are curious, playful and excitable. They are seldom aggressive in the water and if threatened, they will generally choose flight over fight.
There are however best practices that minimize any risk and our clients are thoroughly briefed on general safety and behavior before entering the water.
Smaller group ratios on our boat also allow for better supervision, while our guides are always sensitive to the spacial needs of the animals and to changes in the seals behavior.
Book Your Seal Snorkeling Trip
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