Seal Island Boat Trip from Cape Town

The boat trip to Seal Island takes about 40 minutes each way from Hout Bay harbour. Expect a colony of several thousand Cape fur seals barking on the rocks, plus the chance of seeing seabirds, dolphins, and sometimes whales or great white sharks near the island. The boats get quite close to the island so the smell can be strong and the water is often choppy. It's a straightforward wildlife trip rather than a luxury cruise; most people enjoy it for an hour or so before heading back. The experience is very weather-dependent – on rough days it can be bouncy and some passengers get seasick.

Best time to go is December to April when the sea is usually calmer and visibility is better. Winter (June-August) often has big swells that cancel trips or make them unpleasant. Expect to pay around R1200–R2000 per person for a standard trip including transport from Cape Town, though you can sometimes find cheaper options from the harbour directly.

Pick a morning departure when the wind is typically lighter. Skip combining it with a long peninsula tour if you get motion sickness easily – do the boat trip on its own. Bring a waterproof jacket, sunglasses, and binoculars; the smell lingers on your clothes so don't wear anything precious.