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Ocean Safari: Explore Hout Bay's Marine Life
5.0
254 Ratings
Cape Town
Experience an intimate wildlife encounter with Cape Fur seals at Duiker Island in Hout Bay, Cape Town. Snorkel with Animal Ocean, the experts in seal snorkeling since 2009!
Experience an intimate wildlife encounter with Cape Fur seals at Duiker Island in Hout Bay, Cape Town. Snorkel with Animal Ocean, the experts in seal snorkeling since 2009!
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- 41 Victoria Ave - Embark on an exciting journey filled with fun, passion, and ocean exploration with Animal Ocean’s ocean safari. Enjoy the breathtaking mountain cliffs and explore a kelp forest while snorkeling at your leisure. Although conditions may vary, our skilled guides ensure a safe experience. The adventure includes a boat ride for…
- 41 Victoria Ave - Embark on an exciting journey filled with fun, passion, and ocean exploration with Animal Ocean’s ocean safari. Enjoy the breathtaking mountain cliffs and explore a kelp forest while snorkeling at your leisure. Although conditions may vary, our skilled guides ensure a safe experience. The adventure includes a boat ride for wildlife viewing before reaching Duiker Island, where you can snorkel in the nearby kelp forests. No prior experience is necessary, but participants must be over 10 years old, weigh less than 120 kg, and be able to swim. Please be aware that seal encounters depend on natural wildlife factors, and trips will be adjusted according to weather, swell, and animal behavior.
What's Included
- Professional Skipper and Marine Guides
- All equipment provided
- Access to all facilities: hot showers, change rooms, WiFi
- Educational and safety briefing included
- Professional Skipper and Marine Guides
- All equipment provided
- Access to all facilities: hot showers, change rooms, WiFi
- Educational and safety briefing included
What's Not Included
- Transfers to Snorkel Centre
- Camera rental
- Gratuity
- Transfers to Snorkel Centre
- Camera rental
- Gratuity
Additional Information
Experience the wonders of the ocean with our brand-new Ocean Safaris! Although we are moving away from our seal snorkeling origins, we are thrilled to present an unforgettable adventure exploring the stunning marine landscapes of Hout Bay. Our Ocean Safaris offer a captivating journey, allowing you to observe diverse marine life in their natural…
Experience the wonders of the ocean with our brand-new Ocean Safaris! Although we are moving away from our seal snorkeling origins, we are thrilled to present an unforgettable adventure exploring the stunning marine landscapes of Hout Bay. Our Ocean Safaris offer a captivating journey, allowing you to observe diverse marine life in their natural environment, all set against the backdrop of magnificent mountain views. This immersive experience includes a guided boat tour with knowledgeable crew members eager to share the marvels of the sea. Delight in the excitement of spotting dolphins, seabirds, and other amazing wildlife as you cruise along the coastline. After your adventure, relax at our Safari Centre with hot showers, changing facilities, or unwind in our welcoming lounge and sunlit garden. Join us for an extraordinary ocean experience that celebrates the enchantment of the marine world!
- Please add a contactable cellphone number and valid email address to your booking
- Children must be 10 years or older to participate
- Minimum of 4 people booked per trip required to operate
- Maximum of 10 people on each trip
- Activity is weather dependent - if cancelled a full refund or alternative date is offered
- Guests must be confident swimmers
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers over 6 months
Location
41 Victoria Ave
Victoria Avenue
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(254 Ratings)
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429jackl
Feb 13, 2025
Awesome Ocean Safari - The ocean safari was incredible. In addition to a beautiful view of the bay from water, we got to see many seals and their frolicking pups, and even got to see a few whales passing by late in their migration.
We also got to snorkel the shipwreck at the bay, which coupled with the kelp forests, schools of fish and rock lobsters resting in the wreck was an unbelievable experience. We were given ample time to snorkel, always felt safe, and were never rushed (the guides even offered spare weight belts for free-diving), and the wet suits provided great protection in the cool water.
Our guides were lovely and accommodating, full of information about the history of the bay and interesting facts about the habits of its wildlife.
And just to cap a perfect day, as we were returning there was a pod of over a hundred dolphins leaving the bay, which swam beside the boat for about half an hour.
Overall it was an incredible and unique experience in the water. I’d recommend anyone even mildly interested in the marine life of South Africa to do this tour 👍. Thanks again for a great experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sabine
Feb 8, 2025
There is NO swimming with seals for a long time - The team around was great and also very experienced and helpful.
But Msn should change the expectations from the provider, as currently NO snorkeling or swimming with the seals is possible.
I did this tour to swim with the seals. I also realize it's weather dependent. However, among the seals the rabies has broken out so gsd the organizers are so much aware that they do not allow swimming.
So , should you book the tour to swim with seals, there will be no more for a long time. Otherwise the tour was complete 👌
We saw the seals from the boat.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nickolaj_j
Feb 4, 2025
Get close to the oceans wildlife and snorkel in cool spots - Overall great experience. Going in a small boat so you are close to the wildlife is great. We saw tons of seals at Duiker, dolphins different places and a couple of sunfish.
Beware that you no longer snorkel near the seals, as they stopped that 8 months ago due to aggresive behaviour and rabies among the seal colony.
The two snorkel spots we used was at a shipwreck and a small kelp forrest. Technically we could have been lucky to encounter some few seals at the spots, however we did not.
There is a lot of nice crew members who take care of you from start to finish. They provide nice hot beverage and snacks on the boat.
Great way to enjoy a sunny day in Cape Town and view the landscape from the sea.
Review provided by Viator
P2967gjlaural
Nov 22, 2024
Best ocean tour ever! - Absolutely amazing!! After only two minutes of the tour, we alteady got to see some seals and shortly after dolphins showed up. This whole ocean safari was an amazing experience and truly wonderful. The team is so nice and have so much knowledge about Cape town and it‘s ocean life. It is fun to listen to them. Definitely a must do!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Violetau2014
Nov 15, 2024
Touch wild life in the ocean - When you hear Africa, you think about elephants, leopards, and lions but there is a big treasure in the ocean as well. We join the Ocean Safari and we tones of amazing creatures down there.
I feel safe all the time for me and my 2 girls.
The instructors are well prepared.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nomad43073873886
Oct 21, 2024
A must-do in Cape Town; an incredible team! - Not only did I feel safe at all times, the crew was very informative about the sea life and landscape around. Their enthusiasm gave lots of energy to the tour. This was an incredible experience to see another unique side to wildlife in Africa!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jet09885873247
Oct 14, 2024
Amazing tour with amazing people - Learned of Animal Ocean some years ago and was sure I wanted to go to one of their tours when I visited Capetown. I can just say, it did not disappoint. Although they're not longer doing the Fur seal tour, they still make sure you have the best experience in the bay. Steve and his team show true love for the ocean and its life forms, they're very knowledgeable and responsible on how they approach wildlife and take good care of visitors. Also, they'll be waiting for you with some hot chocolate when you're done snorkelling, for a wonderful cozy end to the visit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Assadj2016
Oct 13, 2024
Great tour with @animal_ocean - You don’t wanna miss this if you stop by Cape Town, it was amazing, we had such a great time snorkeling 🤿 thanks to our guide, we learnt a lot about the different species living in the ocean, not only it was instructive but it was fun as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alejandrachve
Oct 6, 2024
Great experience - It was a really amazing experience, we recommend it 100%, we booked the private tour. The ocean staff that accompanied us was magnificent.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joq1978
May 3, 2024
Very professional team - I would like to point out the great honesty and professionalism of the Seal Snorkeling team. A few hours before our excursion, they called to inform me that some seals had been slightly aggressive the previous day and that they therefore wished to respect the animals and temporarily redirect us to another spot. They said they couldn't guarantee that we'd see as many seals as planned, so they left me the choice of whether to go ahead or cancel. I (unfortunately) chose to cancel, but received a full refund a few days later. The next time I'm in Cape Town, I'll be sure to contact them again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor