Seal Island, Cape Town - Book Tickets & Tours | GetYourGuide If they do a good job on the tour, its a wonderful gesture of appreciation. While every effort has been made to keep the information accurate and updated, it should not be seen in any way as a scientific text or used as a research reference. If youre hoping to spot a Harbor seal, fall and winter are the best times to look. Hout Bay can refer to the town, the bay on which it is situated, or the entire valley. This is where many of the local seal tour companies take you (more on that in a bit, though!). Buongiorno! 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. But dont confuse this with the original Seal Island, to the west in False Bay, which is where seals are known to gather and where great white sharks predate. 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. As you watch in awe the sharks that literally fly hunting for their prey, you will soon conclude that they are indeed the Kings of the oceans. For this season, not many people get out to the lighthouse, but the beach area here always has quite a few seals hanging out. The soft white-sand shore offers calm water, perfect for swimming, and the area is framed beautifully by Cape Towns surrounding mountains. The sea is very choppy all year. 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. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000. It is home to South Africas first Harbourfront Emporium, known as the Mariners Wharf. Well, let me tell you SAME! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The bay is situated just 20 kilometres south of the Central Business District of Cape Town. Website Design & Support by SiteWorx IT Services 2004-document.write(CurrentYear) Duiker Island, Cape Town - Book Tickets & Tours | GetYourGuide 90% of travelers recommend this experience. Seal Island Boat Trip - Cape Point Route A 45 minute boat ride to view hundreds of seals on Seal Island, This is a fun boat trip ( ZAR 90 at Jan 2020) that no visitor to Hout Bay should miss. I have never seen a sight like this. I loved the tour. Shops on Cape Point Route 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. Hi there! The island is so named because of the great number of Cape fur seals that occupy it. Take a warm jacket even if the weather is warm, once you get going on the ocean it can be quite chilly. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together. While the Chatham Fisher Pier is one of the best mainland places in town to see the seals, Monomoy Island off the coast of Chatham is also amazing. Almost 20 000 pups are born every year. The boat ride can get rough at times because of heavy wind. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. (2023), Best Towns To Stay In On Cape Cod For Every Type Of Traveler (2023), 21 Best Breweries In Portland, Maine You Have To Check Out In 2023, 31+ Ways To Have The Best Summer In New England (2023), Awesome Waterfront Restaurants On Cape Cod, Visiting Cape Cod For The First Time: What To See & Do, How Many Days Do You Need On Nantucket + Suggested Itineraries & Best Things To Do (2023), What To Do on Cape Ann, MA? 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. 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. Eat & Drink, Shopping. Run by Flyers Boat Rentals (the same company that runs the Long Point Shuttle), these tours are only about 45 minutes long, and get right to the point. See cape fur seals and other wildlife in their natural habitats. 2007) and visitors during this time are treated to an amazing wildlife spectacle an island teeming with new life, noise and bustle! The boat is not big enough but I think it takes about 100-150 persons on the deck. Males of the African subspecies have an average length of about 2.3 meters (7.5 ft) and can weigh from 200 to 300 kilograms (440 660 lbs), while the smaller females average to 1.8 meters (5.9 ft) and 120 kilograms (260 lbs). Boasts two glass viewing ports at its bottom, which provide passengers with a clear and extremely rare view of the marine activity. Simon's town is practically known as a prominent South African Naval base, but for tourists, its home to Boulders Beach! Pack some cash for your guides gratuity. Every year as the latest pups ventured off the island for the first time, scores of photographers and filmmakers would descend on Simonstown in the hope of witnessing an apex predator predation event. Then in 2017 we had the first concrete evidence that orcas were targeting great white sharks in False Bay and Gandbaai, when five white shark carcasses washed up between Franskraal and Struisbaai between 7 February and 24 June in 2017. 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. 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. hellow Hence, Seal Island is the hunting ground of this monstrous feeder The Great White Sharks. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Vorrei sapere fino a che ora si effettuano le escursioni, grazie. Between 12,000 and 18,000 seal pups are born born on the island each year (Kirkman et al. There are allot of stalls where you can look for a little token local memorabilia while you wait. Seal Island (Western Cape) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Would recommend a trip if you are close by. Wonderful experience to get out on the ocean and see ocean life in their natural habitat. 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. There are also some great tours you can go on that take you out where lots of seals hang out. 11 Best Attractions For Any Traveler (2023), 10 Best Cape Cod Lighthouses + How To Visit Them (2023). The Cape fur seal is a protected animal since 1973 by the Sea Birds and Seal Protection Act: thereby, only the state has been allowed to kill seals at specific colonies. Besides, some 24 different species of birds can be found on the island. 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! 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. If its cetaceans youre after, humpback whales and common dolphins have also been spotted across the Western Capes waters. Its quite amazing to see so many seals on the rocks and in the surrounding water. Apply that sunscreen! I dont think Ive ever gone to one of these beaches and not seen at least one seal. See thousnads of Cape Fur Seals and possibly other marine life. These include the kelp gull and the skua, a formidable predatory seabird that often feasts on its more petite relatives. Seal Island False Bay also supports a wide diversity of bird-life. Full description. Seal Island in False Bay is wild, remote and spectacular. hellow 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. If youre about to go into the water, and see seals approaching, stay on the shoreline until theyve passed. This text on the history of seal island in False Bay is a work in progress and has been compiled from several different sources, personal observations and anecdotes. Botanical Garden At University Of Stellenbosch, Seal Island Address: South Africa, Cape Town. Chatham Lighthouse Beach is one of the most scenic areas in town. Check out my what to expect section at the end of this post for more tips on spotting seals in the water. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Circe Launches has been sailing from the Hout Bay harbour since 1972. Tiny Duiker Island is a leading tourist attraction in Hout Bay, south of Cape Town. It is 5 acres in area and home to approx 64,000 cape fur seals. Cape Point South Africa We took a small boat to Seal island. That year we were seeing as many as 30 shark on seal predation events in a single morning. Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more. Small Luxury Hotels of the World in Western Cape, Preferred Boutique Hotels in Western Cape, Preferred Hotels & Resorts in Western Cape, Jialihua Guest House Hotels in Western Cape, Western Cape Hotels with Air Conditioning, Western Cape Hotels with Allergy-free Rooms, Western Cape Hotels with Soundproof Rooms, Hotels near Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, Hotels near Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Hotels near Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, Boat Tours & Water Sports in Western Cape, Parasailing & Paragliding in Western Cape, Military Bases & Facilities in Western Cape, Observation Decks & Towers in Western Cape, Observatories & Planetariums in Western Cape, Game & Entertainment Centres in Western Cape, Everglades Airboat Tour in Fort Lauderdale, Perito Moreno Glacier Big Ice Trek from El Calafate, Rio Negro Cruise from Manaus to the Amazon River, Quebec City and Montmorency Falls Day Trip from Montreal, Brilliant Brisbane Self-Guided Audio Tour, Shell Island Adventure for 3 Hours: Dolphin Tour and Snorkeling, Solo Kerala Private Tour Package ( 5 Nights) - Munnar, Thekkady, Houseboat, Dolphin watching and Snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll - Private Tour, See all 27 Seal Island tours on Tripadvisor, See all Seal Island experiences on Tripadvisor, Proteus Beach House, Rooiels - Luxury and tranquil seaside accommodation, The Exclusive Monkey Rock Dolphin And Whale Outlook. Ahhh but you guys were so much fun to be with. 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. Asia-Pacific Region Kuei-Shan Little League (Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei) Australia Region Hills Little League (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) Up close, though, almost every inch of Seal Island is covered . Shortly after leaving the dock hundreds of seal swim close to the boat befriending all aboard. Help Bookings Account 0 Top activities in Cape Town Top Cape Town landmarks Robben Island Boulders Beach Bo-Kaap Cape Point Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve Table Mountain and Cableway Chapman's Peak Drive Table Mountain National Park Clifton Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (V&A Waterfront) Twelve Apostles Cape Town Stadium Drop cage and safety briefing. Seal Island - Hout Bay. Brown Cape fur seals love to bask in the sun on Duiker Island | Imageplotter / Alamy Stock Photo. Delicious. Went with Drumbeat Charters and had a really good day. Its a round trip boat . Winner will be selected at random on 09/01/2023. the hoards of seals, however their numbers appear to be reduced to only a few breeding pairs in recent years. Loads of photo opportunities of the seals, but beware they smell I mean really smell. You can see seals on Cape Cod year-round! Snorkelling among the seals is a sublime experience theyre curious and lithe, and will swim right up to you and ogle you with their huge, doleful eyes and its largely risk-free. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experiences start time. Keep a look out on the way there and back for other sea life, we saw three dolphins on the way back. The coastal route to Hout Bay from Cape Towns city centre is worth making the trip for | imageBROKER / Alamy Stock Photo. Another option is to book a sailing tour with Down Cape Charters, which departs from that dock at the Wequassett. Better images and more spectacular footage was coming from the island each year, feeding the insatiable appetite of social media and reality tv the addiction was real! They move in large groups to give birth and breed. It is the place to be, if what you want is an as-lively-as-possible experience with the great white shark in its intimate environment. If youre less inclined to leap into the ocean, you can view the seals from the safety of your boat. We recommend booking Seal Island tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Beautiful Sea front cottage right on the Atlantic ocean. Duiker Island doesnt feature on the sharks radar, because the water is too cold, and as such it boasts a lively population of Cape fur seals. False Bay/Seal Island - This Is My Shark Life Explore the edge of the world during this full-day round trip road trip. The whole place is a rookery of the Jackass Penguin. Shortly after leaving the dock hundreds of seal swim close to the boat befriending all aboard. Animal lovers coming to Cape Town, however, can immerse themselves in a cheaper and shorter experience at Duiker Island, a haven for the countrys marine life. They emit a unique sound like that is usually accompanied by. Hunting pressures increased over the years and populations began to decline rapidly. Best Towns For Seal-Watching On Cape Cod. In total from the intersection of Main Street and Seaview, its about a 15 minute walk. From Cape Town: Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope & Penguins including Park Fees 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. incredible to sea so many seals, enjoying their daily life without disturbance from the humansboats cannot get too close to the island Seal Island, located near Cape Town, in South Africa is a popular destination amongst the tourists. It is even hard to make it out from the shoreline of Cape Town's False Bay. People normally also visit World Of Birds Sanctuary And Monkey Park while planning their trip to Seal Island. 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. A must when visiting Capetown. 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) 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. We recommend booking Seal Island tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Now we have a full office in Hout Bay with changing rooms, showers and wifi, says snorkelling guide and skipper Lara Caine. 100% of travellers recommend this experience. 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. Offered in: English. If you are lucky, you might spot a few Sub Antarctic skuas and jackass penguins. As the seasons change, so does the marine activity in the bay so to ensure that you get the best possible experience, we always try to include as much as possible in our standard cruises. Buongiorno! Seal Island (Western Cape) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Took my little one along with my wife,in-laws and nieces/nephews. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in South Africa. The township was reportedly named after Mitchell Baker but this is unconfirmed, and is one of a number of possible explanations. Highly recommended. Exclusive private boat charter to Seal Island in False Bay. Pretty much any beach you go to between Chatham and Provincetown along the Atlantic coast is likely to have seals swimming close to the shoreline. This road winds through the steep coastal cliffside offering spectacular views for those who brave the drive. 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 island is so named because of the great number of Cape fur seals that occupy it. What kind of a boat / ship is it ? Upon arrival at the island thousands of seals are sprawled all of the rocks as large waves often drench them. From here you may struggle to justify such a long drive in a day; better to overnight in the blissful seaside suburb of Hout Bay. It's a great cheap activity whilst driving round the Hout bay area. It is 5 acres in area and home to approx 64,000 cape fur seals. Theyve built a really nice deck platform for visitors to enjoy watching the seals from, too. But while safari is hugely popular, its also expensive and time-consuming, which means for some tourists its not an option. Well do-ordinated trip. The Charters to Seal Island. New England Wanderlust contains affiliate links, and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Fortunately, however, there are multiple options for exploring the area from a safe distance. A boat trip to Seal Island - South America & Asia Tours 101 54 Seal-watching in Cape Town Review of Seal Island Reviewed January 19, 2016 The trip is exciting and you can get a complementary great view of the Sentinel, a jutting rock right on the coastline. The cruise also includes an expert guided commentary. Chasing balloons can be an exciting way to participate in the festival. Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more. Briefing on Great White hunting behavior. Seal Island in False Bay is wild, remote and spectacular. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. When she became concerned about labor unrest in the town where we would get the boat to Seal Island, she altered the itinerary to first visit the beautiful Cape of Good Hope and then the penguins. Such a large group of seals certainly attracts those white sharks around Seal Island, which is how the Air Jaws, the famous videos of studies of the great white sharks attacks on seals, could be made. Mobile ticket. Cheerful crew, very professional Don't miss it. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. shark food. Enjoy breathtaking views of thousands of wild Cape Fur Seals and their pups in their natural habitat. A great education and exercise in appreciation! Here's a deeper look at what this great Cape Town area has to offer. Drumbeat Charters, has been offering daily scenic cruises to Duiker Island to see the Cape Fur Seals from Hout Bay since 1989. What kind of a boat / ship is it ? 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. These guys are what sharks are hunting for, so you really need to keep your distance. 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. But its also got the most places where you can spot seals (included the easiest one!). Besides their difference in sizes, you can also single out the genders based on their respective colors. Due to this predominant presence of seals and sharks, Seal Island is the only venue in the world that can offer a complete encounter with the dreary white shark, be it natural predation, breaching or cage diving. Simon's Town is small town south of Cape Town proper on False Bay. If youre walking on an Atlantic beach, I would say allow yourself at least 30 minutes, and youre likely to see one in that timeframe. As the name suggests, Seal Island is an island of seals. We may earn a commission from any purchases you choose to make from our links, at no additional cost to you. I'm so glad I could make your memories of Cape town beautiful. 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. Be sure to bring your camera. Departing from Harwich, Monomoy Island Excursions is a great option for a seal tour. Orca predations on sevengil cow sharks in 2015 and 2016 eventually led to the departure of cow sharks from the Millers Point aggregation site. This is a fun boat trip ( ZAR 90 at Jan 2020) that no visitor to Hout Bay should miss. 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. Our guide picked us up right on time. Copyright 2023 The Culture Trip Ltd. All Rights Reserved. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. And this part of the beach usually isnt very busy, making a peaceful experience. 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 Restaurants on Cape Point Route The reflection of the sun on the water will make you burn faster. From July to November, you are more likely to encounter the southern right whales as they tend to be plentiful during this period. I'm Sam. The strip is also a popular daytime destination for dogs and their walkers. Tourists can take road journey till hout Bay and then board a boat or jetty to visit the island. These testify that humans were once present on this isolated island. My hope is to inspire you to have an unforgettable Northeast adventure of your own, and show you just how beautiful this little corner of the world truly is. If you have an account with us, please log in. Guano mining activities also impacted heavily on seal populations. Cape Fur Seals at Seal Island. Explore the beauty of Cape Town's iconic Victoria and Alfred Waterfront on this short, but fun boat cruise around the harbor. It might be tiny, but Duiker Island is sure to surprise you. The main predator of the fur seal is known to be the most dangerous shark in the sea. Its a very small port where there are a lot of private boat companies. The great thing about visiting the Chatham Fish Pier to see seals is that its also home to a seafood market and takeout place. Experience a boat trip to Seal Island located only 8 nautical miles from Simon's Town harbour in False Bay. Board a modern glass-bottom boat on a cruise to visit "seal island" for close views of thousands of fur seals. It just stops for a few minutes for you to take pictures. Secondly, its for your safety, and the safety of the seals. Cape City Center, World of Birds and Seal Island Tour. Experience a boat trip to Seal Island located only 8 nautical miles from Simon's Town harbour in False Bay. And the best part? Not to be mistaken for Duiker Island near Hout Bay, Seal Island in False Bay can only be accessed by boat from Simonstown or Kalk Bay on Cape Town's Southern Peninsular. The shallow waters just surrounding the island are home to large shoals of southern mullet (a ray-finned fish) and red roman (the golden-eyed broad head). They lie there, lazy, in littler, jump in water, talk to themselves, fight, roll, soak in the waves and sun. All rights reserved. Little did we know it was one of the last few good years of great white shark activity around the island in False Bay. Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | SiteMap Seal Island False Bay - Discover Seal Island in Cape Town - OCEANS AFRICA Little League World Series, scores, bracket, results, how to watch This abandoned artificial island off the coast of New York City is now home to dozens of harbor seals. Bring binoculars and a good zoom lens on your camera if you want nice photos of the seals. Pull over to the side of the road and .
Is Bessel Van Der Kolk Married,
Can I Drink Ensure While Pregnant,
Articles H
