Spotting sea lions near Cape Town was definitely on our list. We chose a boat trip to “Seal Island” near Hout Bay (officially called Duiker Island) and sailed past thousands of Cape fur seals sunbathing, splashing in the sea, or fighting over the best spots on the rocks. A delightful outing from Cape Town, easily combined with Chapman’s Peak Drive and some fish and chips in the harbour!
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Where exactly are you going: Duiker Island ≠ Seal Island (False Bay)
To clarify: there are two “Seal Islands” near Cape Town. Most short trips depart from Hout Bay to Duiker Island (a tiny rocky islet with a huge Cape fur seal colony). Additionally, there is Seal Island in False Bay (near Simon’s Town), an elongated rock where great white sharks hunt sea lions. Handy to know when booking tickets. We visited Seal Island, and you can book this boat trip through this link.
Our Experience: Short, Fun Boat Trip Full of Sea Lions
We boarded the boat at Hout Bay Harbour. We spotted first heads in the water already at the harbour. At Duiker Island, hundreds of fur seals lay stacked on each other, with even more in the surrounding water. The captain sails close but keeps a safe distance from rocks and animals. You smell the sea and hear the noise (a delightfully chaotic scene). It’s fun to watch the bickering sea lions—what are they doing now? And well… why mostly.
The entire boat trip lasts less than an hour. Seal Island is not far away. A great stop if you’re in Cape Town, driving Chapman’s Peak Drive, and combining with a visit to the penguins at Boulders Beach and Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope)!
Snorkelling and kayaking are also possible with some providers, but we deliberately chose only the boat trip. Tip: always check current safety info beforehand. Since 2024, rabies cases were reported among Cape fur seals; operators sometimes adjust in-water activities. Never touch the animals and follow guide instructions.
Note: the water is ice-cold here (between 10 and 14 degrees Celsius). Anyone wanting to snorkel will get a thick wetsuit.
About Duiker Island (Seal Island near Hout Bay)
Duiker Island lies less than 500 meters off the coast of Hout Bay. It’s tiny—about 80 by 100 meters—and only rises a few meters above the sea. Around 5,000 to 6,000 Cape fur seals live on this mini-island, especially clustered tightly in winter to keep warm.
The island itself is uninhabited and protected; people aren’t allowed to go ashore, but you can get close by boat. That’s good because it smells quite strongly. The combination of sea, sun, and hundreds of sea lions is… unforgettable, haha!
Though officially called Duiker Island, almost all tourist brochures just call it Seal Island. This can confuse, because there is a “real” Seal Island further on in False Bay, known for great white sharks. The two are often mixed up, but they are different islands.
Unlike the Seal Island in False Bay, you won’t see great white sharks near Duiker Island at Hout Bay. Those live mostly on the east side of the peninsula, where the water is warmer and richer in food. Here, the sea lions take center stage.
Practical: departure, duration & prices
- Departure: trips run all year from Hout Bay Harbour. There are longer trips from Simon’s Town/False Bay to the other Seal Island.
- Duration: expect 40–60 minutes for Duiker Island (Hout Bay). Longer on combined routes or if passing wrecks/bays.
- Price: varies by operator and boat type. Book ahead in peak season. Prices start from €6, very affordable!
- Weather & sea: trips run in decent weather; rough wind can cause spray. A windbreaker is handy.
Best time to go
- Year-round: sea lions are always at Duiker Island.
- Nov–Dec: pupping season (many pups on the rocks).
- Jul–Nov: chance of whales en route, mostly southern right whales.
- Apr–Aug (winter): Seal Island in False Bay has the most active great white sharks (breaching), relevant only for longer specialized trips.
Combine with these stops
- Chapman’s Peak Drive: one of the world’s most beautiful coastal roads.
- Hout Bay Harbour: fish & chips after your trip.
- Boulders Beach (penguins): plan this on the same day as your Cape Peninsula drive. I wrote a separate blog about it. Boulders Beach and Foxy Beach are near Simon’s Town on the Cape Peninsula. The area is part of Table Mountain National Park. It’s about an hour’s drive from Cape Town (without stops).
The boat trip to Duiker Island (Hout Bay) is a short, relaxed trip with guaranteed sea lions and great photo chances. Want to snorkel or kayak? Usually possible, but check safety updates and choose a certified operator. We found this was a nice start to our road trip from Cape Town. It’s a fairly short stop to see lots of wildlife. So have fun already!
