Seal Island

Seal Island gets its name from the tens of thousands of Cape fur seals that live on the island. The island is 5 acres (2.0 ha) in size and is located 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) off the coast of False Bay. Nothing grows on the island since the surface is granite and there is no soil to support plant life. This island can only be reached by boat from Hout Bay. The tour lasts approximately an hour, and while you're there, bring a nice camera to capture the beautiful harbor and, of course, the seals. Be aware that the sea might be turbulent at times, so plan accordingly.

Aside from the Cape fur seal, there is also the Brown fur seal, and at certain times of the year, the seal's major predator, the great white shark, is drawn to the dense concentration of seals. Seal Island and the surrounding waters offer a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see great white sharks attack Cape fur seals and study social interactions between the two species. The sharks on the island have become notable for their size and preferred method of grabbing their prey: a shark starting an assault will emerge from beneath the water and fling itself out of the water with the seal in its mouth.

Location: False Bay