Seal Snorkeling Experience in Hout Bay & Cape Town

Visiting Cape Town is a great opportunity for explorers to search for interesting and unique experiences. One of the top activities for tourists and locals is seal snorkelling, an activity that is available in locations around Hout Bay and further along the South African coast.Snorkelling is an exciting way to explore the ocean and witness some of the many marine species that exist in this part of the world’s oceans. When visiting Hout Bay, you can experience some of the most remarkable species of South Africa’s oceanic wildlife. Seals are a particularly popular attraction, with their playful and curious nature giving visitors the chance to get closer than ever before to the ocean. This article will explain why seal snorkelling in Hout Bay, and Cape Town, should be a must-do activity on your trip. It will explore the best ways to see seals swimming and playing in their natural environment, giving valuable advice on planning and booking activities. Safety issues will also be discussed, giving you peace of mind when deciding to book your seal snorkelling experience.

What can you expect to see when seal snorkelling at Hout Bay?

When you join a seal snorkelling trip from either Hout Bay or Cape Town, you will have the unique experience of seeing Seals up close and personal in their natural environment. Depending on what time of year you visit, you will have a great chance of seeing not just seals but other marine wildlife such as jellyfish, dolphins, penguins, whales and even Great White Sharks. Whale sharks can be seen during the summer months, giving visitors a once in a lifetime opportunity to swim alongside these giants of the sea. Penguins are often spotted at various points around the bay, while seasonal whale watching trips leave from both harbour areas to visit pods of these majestic creatures often shortly after they give birth. On top of this, visitors can expect to see large schools of fish as well as other seal species such as Cape Fur Seals. The overall experience can be truly mesmerising, with a chance to observe these iconic animals in their natural environment.

Where should you go in Hout Bay or Cape Town for the best seal snorkelling opportunity?

When it comes to viewing seals in and around Hout Bay, the best options available to view these animals include tours from Saylson’s Beach and nearby Bikini Beach. For those looking for an exciting adventure, a boat tour over to nearby Duiker Island is highly recommended. This is home to an estimated 1500 Cape Fur seals as well as other fascinating wildlife such as Gannets, Jackass penguins and Cormorants. One of the most exciting facets of this type of tour is the opportunity to view seals up close when climbing onto a zodiac or charter boat. It is also possible to book guided kayak tours that take visitors even closer to Duiker Island and other seal colonies in the Hout Bay harbour area. This allows viewers to witness first hand how these playful animals interact in their natural environment, feeding and swimming at the surface right in front of you.

What safety precautions should be taken when seal snorkelling?

It is always important to remember that seals are wild animals and should never be viewed up close without guidance from experienced professionals. While they may seem calm and approachable from a distance, it is essential to keep a respectful distance when snorkelling at any of their colonies. For your own safety, it is essential that you respect any instructions given by your guide and wear protective clothing such as full body-suits and gloves provided by most tour operators. It is also recommended that you listen to advice about avoiding contact with any seals and refrain from attempting to touch them in any way as this can easily cause distress or injury to both parties.

What activities should you avoid when seal snorkelling?

One of the more common activities that people participate in when viewing seals is eating food while they are swimming nearby. Unfortunately, while this may seem harmless enough, eating can easily cause seals to become distressed or even injured. It is therefore essential that visitors abstain from consuming food while near any colony of these fascinating animals. Another activity to avoid is stroking or touching any seals that swim up close during your snorkel. This can be very dangerous for both parties involved and should be completely avoided under all circumstances. Under no circumstances should you attempt to pick up any seal pup or adult.

Where can I go if I want to join a seal snorkelling tour?

If you are looking for an experienced guide that can provide an adventure-packed snorkel tour or expedition, then there are many operators located across Hout Bay that provide high-level services and experiences around the topic of seal snorkelling. One reliable source for booking seal snorkeling tours is