Seal Island - Cape Town Apply that sunscreen! Little did we know it was one of the last few good years of great white shark activity around the island in False Bay. However, you can also find the ruins of a few huts, a radar mast and other structures as well as rock inscriptions of the 1900 1950s. These include the kelp gull and the skua, a formidable predatory seabird that often feasts on its more petite relatives. We stopped to admire the beautiful countryside. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 0.11% of people who visit Cape Town include Seal Island in their plan, 95% of people start their Seal Island visit around 9 PM, People usually take around 30 Minutes to see Seal Island. The main predator of the fur seal is known to be the most dangerous shark in the sea. while we were not lucky enough to get to the Island due to weather, we still loved our boat ride and listening to our tour guide! Attractions on Cape Point Route For a quick tour with an expert guide, the Provincetown Seal Tour may be the best option for you. Delicious. Black oystercatchers forage along the tidal fringes and mussel beds, while many species of tern work the surrounding waters. see the: full list of attractions included . Robben Island - Wikipedia SEAL ISLAND: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos). Tiny Duiker Island is a leading tourist attraction in Hout Bay, south of Cape Town. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in South Africa. We were serenaded on our way out by a gentleman from China. There are allot of stalls where you can look for a little token local memorabilia while you wait. This jagged expanse of rock, home to seals, seafaring birds and mammals, is a favourite destination of local photographers, and a great alternative for wildlife enthusiasts who are short on time to go on safari. Seal-watching in Cape Town - Review of Seal Island, Western Cape, South Only 40 minutes from Cape Town Centre. The boat ride is quite astonishing with thanks to some splendid views of the mountains it offers. Drumbeat Charters, has been offering daily scenic cruises to Duiker Island to see the Cape Fur Seals from Hout Bay since 1989. Seal Island (Western Cape) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. The boat ride can get rough at times because of heavy wind. Its quite amazing to see so many seals on the rocks and in the surrounding water. SmartPass Cape Town | Seal Island Cruise With that, lets get right down to it! The naturalist Henry Moseley who visited the Cape on HMS Challenger in 1873 referenced the island made an interesting reference to the birdlife of Seal Island: It is a mere shelving rock, on which it is only possible to land on very favourable occasions. Neither vegetation nor urban touch is seen here, but ruins of the scrap metal and huts can be found around. Book Now. Thats what usually pops out of the water while theyre swimming. Get directions from and directions to Seal Island easily from the Moovit App or Website. Not worth being sick for. If youre hoping to take pictures of them, I can tell you that youll need a good zoom lens on your camera. Between the slashing of the ocean against the rock, the constant barking, fishing for a meal. The cruise also includes an expert guided commentary. See cape fur seals and other wildlife in their natural habitats. Vorrei sapere fino a che ora si effettuano le escursioni, grazie. Here are some of these beaches where Ive had the most luck with seal sightings: But really, any beach along this stretch of coastline is a great place for seal watching! This is a fun boat trip ( ZAR 90 at Jan 2020) that no visitor to Hout Bay should miss. This scenic village is located between the magnificent Chapman's Peak and a wide bay, just twenty-five . Great to see seals close up. This abandoned artificial island off the coast of New York City is now home to dozens of harbor seals. Seal Island, located near Cape Town, in South Africa is a popular destination amongst the tourists. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. The downside to Chatham Lighthouse Beach is that in the summer, parking is restricted to 30 minutes only, and its decently patrolled. Hout Bay originally named Houtbaai (Wood Bay) by Dutch Settlers due to the surrounding wooded valley, has changed from being a small fishermen's village to a bustling little tourist town with fairy tale harbour views. This town is known for being one of the most idyllic towns on the Cape with charming cottages, gorgeous hydrangea displays, and a wonderful Main Street for shopping. Pack some cash for your guides gratuity. We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. I would not recommend it for families with little kids. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. We recommend booking Seal Island tours ahead of time to secure your spot. But it can vary. The squat clump of rock barely qualifies as an island. Are the waters very rough ? Now we have a full office in Hout Bay with changing rooms, showers and wifi, says snorkelling guide and skipper Lara Caine. There are few places on earth where you can snorkel with seals, lounge on the beach and sip craft South African gin in the same day. The tours are also all very scenic, and great for photos. I found this to be such an authentic experience, the skipper was very knowledgable and we had achance to stop and view the seals in their natural habitat. It is great to be out on the ocean and get the fresh air. A must when visiting Capetown. Exclusive private boat charter to Seal Island in False Bay. My favorite way to walk here is to take Seaview Street from Main Street, and then turn left once it ends at Shore Road. Lying just off the coast of Simon's Town, Seal Island is home to thousands of Cape Fur seals and . This island has been nicknamed seal island for its large population of cape fur seals. Discover how to get to Seal Island from anywhere. - Rome2rio At the same time as these events, the white sharks would leave Seal Island and it was strongly suspected at the time that there was a link. And while they do often come pretty close to the shoreline, and even though Gray and Harbor seals are quite large, spotting just their heads can be tricky sometimes. It started out in 2009 in a shed at the bottom of the owners parents garden. Overview Tours & Tickets Tours and Tickets to Experience Boulders Beach Bus Tours Day Trips Ports of Call Tours Shore Excursions Cruises & Sailing Full-day Tours Car Tours Historical Tours Private and Luxury Sightseeing Tours 0 $500+ Up to 1 hour 1 to 4 hours 4 hours to 1 day 1 to 3 days 3+ days 6am12pm 12pm5pm 5pm12am Deals & Discounts Thank You!!! Many generations ago, it was said that one could find celestial splendor in a lush meadow not far from this very marker according to the lore of the fictional world Kcymaerxthaere. Given Hout Bays status as a popular residential neighbourhood, Hout and About Guest House is a converted former home that features an outdoor swimming pool, picturesque views over towering cliffs, and a shuttle service to downtown Cape Town. Enjoy spectacular views of the Bays surrounding mountains on an exciting 45-minute cruise from Hout Bay Harbour to Duiker Island and its native seal colony. You can dive into the water protected inside a cage and watch the great white sharks from very close. Hoping to see some seals during your trip to Cape Cod? Simon's town is practically known as a prominent South African Naval base, but for tourists, its home to Boulders Beach! Theyve built a really nice deck platform for visitors to enjoy watching the seals from, too. Private Tour: Cape of Good Hope Cape Point Penguins Kirstenbosch, Seal Island,Cape of Good Hope&Penguins Shared Tour,From Cape Town, Cape Town Private Group Tour to Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Penguins Colony, Private Tour: Table Mountain, Penguin Colony & Cape of Good Hope incl. Board a modern glass-bottom boat on a cruise to visit "seal island" for close views of thousands of fur seals. If you have an account with us, please log in. It is a species of the pinnipeds (fin-footed mammals). Very cool to see that many seals that close up! I have never seen a sight like this. We recommend booking Seal Island tours ahead of time to secure your spot. A wonderful family outdoor experience is a boat trip to the Cape fur seal and bird sanctuary on Duiker Island, also known as Seal Island. This tiny island is home to the world's largest colony of Northern gannets. We just took one. Absolutely! This area is completely free to visit, and youll get a pretty close look at the seals, too, which is why this is the number one location I suggest if youre hoping to see seals on your visit. Parking at the Chatham Fish Pier: In the summer, parking here is pretty tough. The boat is not big enough but I think it takes about 100-150 persons on the deck. Jacques Marais Media If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The predominant winds are north westerly from March to September; they change to south easterly from October to February. Read our. Cheerful crew, very professional Don't miss it. SmartPass Cape Town | Seal Island Cruise 10 Best Places To See Seals On Cape Cod In 2023 These guys are what sharks are hunting for, so you really need to keep your distance. It was about 90 rand per adult (kids were less) the journey to the rock is only 10 mins and the boat gets close to the action, running hourly. More information at:http://thingstodo.capetown/cape-fur-seal-viewing-hout-bay/Duiker Island also known as Seal Island holds a large colony of cape fur seals . Offer subject to change without notice. Hout Bay, or the Republic of Hout Bay as locals affectionately call it, is a fantastic sea-side neighbourhood in Cape Town that offers something for everyone, any day of the week. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. We left Cape Town at 8.00 am which got us to the attractions Penguins, and Cape Point before the crowds are unbearable and really prevent any enjoyment. Vorrei sapere fino a che ora si effettuano le escursioni, grazie. Explore different ways to experience this place. Despite their continued exploitation, the seal population at the island has steadily increased from the war years until the present, with current population estimates in excess of 70 000 seals during the pupping season. Little League World Series, scores, bracket, results, how to watch SEAL ISLAND: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor Although there is very little data available on seal populations at this time it is believed there were very few seals, if any, remaining on the island in False Bay by the beginning of WWII. Cape Town to Cape Point and Seal Island Full-Day Tour 2023 - Viator By the late 1800s, Cape fur seals had been completely eradicated from 23 of the island colonies around our coastline. Hout Bay can refer to the town, the bay on which it is situated, or the entire valley. Cheerful crew, very professional Don't miss it. Leave harbor between 6:30- 7:00am (20 minute boat ride) Arrival at Island between 6:50- 7:25 am. Being uninhabited by the mankind, the Seal Island is a safe abide to the seals who consider the island as their breeding ground. Theres a small chance you wont need it on a very hot and humid summer day, but its always colder out on the water! While watching the seals in their natural behaviour, you will also find the Great White Sharks forming Ring of Death to devour the seals swimming too far. Boulders Beach Penguin Sanctuary - Cape Town, South Africa - Atlas Obscura No purchase necessary. View more wildlife and spectacular scenery on your way to the Cape of Good Hope to ride a funicular up to the lighthouse. People that work at the hotel have told me that they have one seal in particular who likes to hang out there and wait for food scraps and hes very well fed because he often gets nice cuts of fish from the kitchen staff Theyve even named him, and of course, Ive completely forgotten it! You wont see seals in the waters of the Nantucket Sound or Cape Cod Bay. They are so cute and friendly. Mountains surround Hout Bay to the north, east and west, while the Southern Atlantic Ocean lays on the south side. Cruises vary between 40 minute trips and 1 hour trips, the . Besides their difference in sizes, you can also single out the genders based on their respective colors. Chasing balloons. Seal Snorkeling 2023 - Cape Town - Viator Ive been in the morning around 8-9am, and I didnt see any seals, and its possible you wont see any after 3-4pm. The great white sharks are extremely active during the winter months, mostly from April to August while September lies between the high and intermediate season for breaching and predation of the sharks. Activities on Cape Point Route With your phone, or a basic camera, the seals wont look like much once you snap the photo. Youll find picnic tables to enjoy your food on, and theres also a public bathroom with a water bottle refill station nearby. Join our newsletter to get news and coupons. Tropical Storm Hilary: Heavy Rain Pelts Southern California's Desert Private Tour: Cape of Good Hope Cape Point Penguins Kirstenbosch, Seal Island,Cape of Good Hope&Penguins Shared Tour,From Cape Town, Cape Town Private Group Tour to Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Penguins Colony, Private Tour: Table Mountain, Penguin Colony & Cape of Good Hope incl. Located in False Bay just off the coast of Cape Town, Seal Island is a small granite landform absolutely swarmed with Cape Fur Seals. Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. Be sure to bring your camera. Its guarded by the beautiful lighthouse across the street, and even the overlook at the parking area is just so gorgeous. Always admire their cuteness from a distance! South Africa is well known for its wildlife excursions, with countless tourists coming each year, often heading to prestigious national parks to go on safari. This is when the fishermen start arriving back at the pier with their hauls, and the seals start to swim around the boats more when the fishermen are back. Cut-off times are based on the experiences local time. Offered in: English. The cruises are offered in either an open boat that holds 60 passengers or aboard their flagship vessel holding 120 passengers. Catch a boat to Seal Island in the morning, then hit the road and wind your way along the Misty Cliffs. When youre swimming at the Atlantic beaches, its very important to know what to do if you spot a seal in the water. Circe Launches has been sailing from the Hout Bay harbour since 1972. 2 to 4 hours (approx.) If youre at the Chatham Fish Market, though, you should be able to get some cute photos with your phone because theyre pretty close by! Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. There are two options a shorter and a longer trip, take the longer one really worth it as long as you don't get sea sick. They say go to South Africa if you want to see the wild life in conversation and this is what it is. Its really just along the Atlantic coastline youll find them. The long and narrow cape granite rises only 4-6 metres over the high tidal mark. Private Cape Good Hope Cape Point Penguins from Stellenbosch. Top ways to experience Seal Island See all Recommended Tours & Sightseeing Transfers & Ground Transport Multi-day & Extended Tours Shore Excursions Private Tour: Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point from Cape Town 244 Recommended Bus Tours from R 2 100,00 per adult (price varies by group size) JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Its easy. The bay is situated just 20 kilometres south of the Central Business District of Cape Town. They typically takes visitors around the waters of Chatham Harbor and Pleasant Bay, can also customize a private charter, and offer boat shuttle service from the Fish Market in Chatham and Lighthouse Beach. They serve up a really good lobster roll here, as well as other awesome and fresh seafood dishes. I go into detail on the Hatches Harbor hike in my Cape Cod hiking post, which you can find by clicking here. 523 SA Penguins are very social animals. Located in False Bay just off the coast of Cape Town, Seal Island is a small granite landform absolutely swarmed with Cape Fur Seals. The influx of visitors during the summer months (October to February) is only a simple illustration of the islands appeal. Theres a small little beach area right at Race Point Lighthouse, at the very tip of Race Point Beach, thats only accessible with over-sand driving, a very long walk along the beach, or a fun hike along the Hatches Harbor Trail. Surrounded by the South Atlantic Ocean, the Seal Island derives its name from the abundance of the Cape Fur Seals frolicking on the granite landform. Read our. Copyright 2023 The Culture Trip Ltd. All Rights Reserved. A Guide to Duiker Island, off Hout Bay, South of Cape Town - Culture Trip They did not even give us life jackets and everyone had a queasy tummy. Cape of Good Hope-Cape Point & Penguins Private Tour from Cape Town, Private Tour from Cape Town to Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, Cape Town - Garden Route: Outdoor Adventure Tour - 5 Days, Chapman's Peak Drive, Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and Cape Point Full Day Tour, Full Day Private Tour at Cape Town, South Africa, Cape of Good Hope & Penguins from Cape Town Full-Day Private Tour, Cape Of Good Hope and Penguins viewing Private Tour in Luxury vehicle, Full Day Private Tour to Cape of Good Hope & penguins Cape Point. Duiker Island can be visited year round, but the best months to go are from July to November, when you can also spot southern right whales, whose migration path goes along the coast past Hout Bay. Upon arrival at the island thousands of seals are sprawled all of the rocks as large waves often drench them. The island is so named because of the great number of Cape fur seals that occupy it. Enjoy spectacular views of the Bay's surrounding mountains on an exciting 45-minute cruise from Hout Bay Harbour to Duiker Island and its native seal colony. Own or manage this property? Well do-ordinated trip. The island is a fantastic place for anyone interested in sea-birds. For this season, not many people get out to the lighthouse, but the beach area here always has quite a few seals hanging out. - More time on the water! I dont think Ive ever gone to one of these beaches and not seen at least one seal. This itself is already a very scenic road as the road starts to wind down the other side of the Mountain and you are hit by the paradise view of the white beaches and crystal waters of Camps Bay below. Went with Drumbeat Charters and had a really good day. The sea is very choppy all year. Important Note: Monomoy Island Ferry & Seal Cruises in Chatham used to be a top seal cruise on Cape Cod, but the family that owned the company retired from the business. Guano mining activities also impacted heavily on seal populations. The Fernandez Guano Operation held the concession to collect Guano from Seal Island in False Bay as operations between the island and Kalk Bay continued up until WWII when the Navy erected a radar tower and the island became out-of -bounds. See my tips later in the post on how to spot them in the water. SEAL SNORKELING in Houtbay Cape Town! - YouTube Its quite amazing to see so many seals on the rocks and in the surrounding water. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). 96% of travellers recommend this experience. 90% of travelers recommend this experience. The adult males are dark gray to brown in color while the adult females are light brown to gray. In total from the intersection of Main Street and Seaview, its about a 15 minute walk. According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Seal Island: Seal Island, Western Cape: Address, Seal Island Reviews: 4/5. We make riding to Seal Island easy, which is why over 1.5 million users, including users in Cape Town, trust Moovit as the best app for public transit. Conceived of as a "model suburb" by the apartheid government, it was built during the 1970s to provide housing for Coloured victims of forced removal due to the implementation of the Group Areas Act. Hi there! That year we were seeing as many as 30 shark on seal predation events in a single morning. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. The guides are filled with interesting and fun information, and are great at answering questions. From Cape Town: Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope & Penguins including Park Fees, Private Tour: Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point from Cape Town, African Shark Eco-Charters Shark Cage Diving Cape Town, 3 Days Private Tour: Cape of Good Hope, Penguins, Table Mountain & Robben Island. Two cruise companies offer a reasonably priced one hour cruise to the island. However, they have external ear flaps, foreflipppers covered with sparse hair, short hindflippers, and long whiskers. Almost 20 000 pups are born every year. Full description. A visit to Hout Bay Harbour which is a stop on the major sight seeing bus is a must. The only way to get to Monomoy is by boat, so a tour is really the best option. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Fortunately the industry has been able to adapt and the operators continue to work in the area with cow sharks and bronze whalers, which appearto be filling the ecological niche left by the Great White Shark. I hope the answer is very. I loved the tour. She took us through the beautiful countryside south to Cape Point. The island itself is a small group of rocks packed with seals frolicking around in and out of the water. Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more. 2007) and visitors during this time are treated to an amazing wildlife spectacle an island teeming with new life, noise and bustle! If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experiences start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Well, those absolutely awe-inspiring videos were shot here! The sea is very choppy all year. Robben Island Boulders Beach Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve Bo-Kaap Cape Point Chapman's Peak Drive Table Mountain and Cableway Table Mountain National Park Clifton Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (V&A Waterfront) Cape Town Stadium Lion's Head Top Cape Town landmarks tickets Robben Island tickets Cape Point tickets Though seals are the main draw of the island, birdwatching enthusiasts will also delight in the more than 20 species of seabird that live here. Private Cape of Good Hope Cape Point Penguins KirstenboschTour. The centre of attraction of Seal Island is, indeed, the breathtaking predator-prey interaction between white sharks and Cape fur seals. Magnificent views of Hout Bay and Duiker Island from the water. New England Wanderlust contains affiliate links, and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. There are a few spots around Cape Cod where you can just walk right up and see them for free, and then lots of beaches where youre very likely to see them swimming pretty close to the shoreline. However, this is also a great spot to watch for seals in the water! To get the most of this tour you have to have the right guide who knows what they are doing - ours was booked through Touring South Africa. Day Tours on Cape Point Route, Cape Point Route. Can not fault the tour for this they have no control over what their patrons do and this individual obviously thought we would benefit from his hollering - we were not in the least entertained - in fact I put on my noise canceling headphones but he did not take the hint. This is where the fishermen come in each day with their fresh catches, and the seals are pretty much always waiting around the dock for them to come back, hoping to snag some treats. Chapmans Peak Hotel is one of the more luxurious accommodation options, while Hout Bay Backpackers provides the ideal homestay for budget travellers. It takes its name from the Dutch word for seals ( robben ), hence the Dutch/Afrikaans name Robbeneiland, which translates to Seal (s) Island . Keep a look out on the way there and back for other sea life, we saw three dolphins on the way back. Shortly after leaving the dock hundreds of seal swim close to the boat befriending all aboard. It is a small, long rocky islet of 800 meters length and 50 meters width and no more than about 7 meters above the high tide mark, situated 5.7 km off the northern beaches of False Bay. There are two main kinds of seals youll spot on Cape Cod: The Gray seal, and the Harbor seal. Best Towns For Seal-Watching On Cape Cod. Only your group will participate. The absolute best town to see seals is Chatham, which is on the elbow of Cape Cod. From the boat, marvel at the unequaled sights from the Victoria and Alfred . If youre about to go into the water, and see seals approaching, stay on the shoreline until theyve passed. I just wanted to point that out in case you came across them in older articles, or online. However, if you visit outside of the summer season, parking isnt monitored, and you can usually stay longer. The time we visited, sea was calm but it may change as it is ocean. Predation is an interaction between species in which one species (the white shark) uses another species (the seals) as food while breaching is one of the hunting techniques of the great white sharks. The Cape fur seal is the largest of nine species of fur seal, but its more closely related to the sealion, with external ears and manoeuvrable forelimbs that propel it across land and through water with ease. Enjoy breathtaking views of thousands of wild Cape Fur Seals and their pups in their natural . Private Cape of Good Hope Cape Point Penguins KirstenboschTour. SEAL ISLAND: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor By about 7 months they can spend 2-3 days at sea on their own and can already swim long distances. The absolute best town to see seals is Chatham, which is on the "elbow" of Cape Cod. He also took us the rightway round so that we got the maximum views of the ocean scenery. Briefing on Great White hunting behavior. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It might surely be tempting to bathe in, but the seemingly calm and dark turquoise blue waters are not one in which to wander. Only 40 minutes from Cape Town Centre. Equestrian Trails Horseback Riding Tours. Seal Island Hunting & Breaching Sharks The boat leaves before dawn as this is the best time of day to see great white sharks hunt. This road winds through the steep coastal cliffside offering spectacular views for those who brave the drive. Among them, there are some 200 kelp gulls and small groups of Cape and white-breasted cormorants. Was actually a lovely day for the excursions from Hout Bay. It is intended to serve as a popular guide only. Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | SiteMap
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