One of the most popular activities in Hout Bay is taking a boat trip to see the Cape Fur Seals at Duiker Island. These cruises leave Hout Bay Harbour at regular intervals and each trip takes about 40 minutes.
On arrival at Hout Bay Harbour, you’ll see various kiosks with operators offering Seal Island boat trips. We love using Drumbeat Charters for the friendly, efficient service and excellent quality boats. (they have 2 boats – Drumbeat 1 takes 60 passengers and Drumbeat II takes 120 passengers) so even in peak season they can usually get you to the island! They have toilet facilities, cash bar, life jackets and commentary available in 25 languages!
I digress, as you arrive at the harbour, ‘cruise’ up to the booth/ticket office and book a ticket. The cost is R65 for adults and R25 for children under 14 years. Children under 2 years of age are free! Remember that there are no credit card facilities at the ticket office in Hout Bay Harbour so take enough cash with you.
The Seal Island boat trips to Duiker Island leave at 09h15; 10h00 and 10h45. If you do have to wait Hout Bay Harbour bustles with activity as it is a working harbour so you will often see seals and seabirds while you wait and fishing boats are invariably coming in and out of the harbour, there are crafts on sale and plenty of people watching to keep you entertained. Or you can pop into the Lookout Deck right next to the action for refreshments.
As you go on board, your ticket will be taken and there is a safety briefing as the crew get the boat ready for departure. The boat journey itself is almost as much fun as seeing the seals as you head out through Hout Bay Harbour, with the Sentinel looming to the right and Chapman’s Peak Drive to the left, making it one of those “Kodak” moments! It’s not uncommon to see happy families with this ‘mug shot’ on their coffee cups and mouse pads!
As you get close to Duiker Island, you will see the Cape fur Seals – and depending on the wind you may smell them too! It is fascinating to watch these huge creatures lumbering on the rocky land surface– although they do move surprisingly quickly and I wouldn’t want to have a sprint race! My favourite part is watching them plop into the water where they transform into graceful beings – elegant yet playful! The Cape Fur Seals spend a lot of time in the water searching for food but they do “haul out” to rest or moult. Moulting usually takes place during January-March and this is when the island is at its’ most crowded. The Cape Fur Seals don’t go off to search for food but rely on fats they have stored in their blubber.
Thousands of Cape Fur Seals inhabit the islands off the coast of Cape Town and are named for their thick pelts – which keeps them warm and dry! The majority of the seals on Duiker Island are males waiting until they reach breeding age. Duiker Island is not a breeding colony for the Cape Fur Seals as the sea can get very rough and the pups can get swept off the rocks.
Some fun facts on the Cape Fur Seals:
The Cape Fur Seals generally eat fish, shrimps, shellfish and squid.
They can hear well in the air but their hearing is better underwater.
They have the ability to tell which direction a sound is coming from
They cannot breathe underwater (their ears and nostrils close tightly when they dive) and adults come up for air at least every 30 minutes.
Their eyes are adapted to see on land and in the water.
They maintain a constant body temperature of 38.5C
Bulls can weigh up to 350 kilograms and be almost 2 metres long.
They can dive up to depths of 36 metres.
Drumbeat Charters also offers some special cruises and packages as well as private charters:
1. Seal Island and Chapmans Peak
2. Seal Island and Shipwreck of the Boss 400 in Maori Bay.
3. Year End Private Cruises from Hout Bay to the V&A
4. Their boats are available for Private functions
Consider staying in Hout Bay for more fun experiences, why not try Chapmans Peak Hotel (see our previous blog on Chapmans Peak Hotel) or contact Cape Point Route for more accommodation options in Hout Bay.
IMAGES:
1. Boat Trip to Duiker Island - courtesy of Drumbeat Charters
2. Cape Fur Seal at Hout Bay's Duiker Island - courtesy of Drumbeat Charters
3. Cape Point Route Team going on a boat cruise to Seal Island - courtesy of Cape Point Route
4. Viewing the Cape Fur Seals - Dougie from Noordhoek Farm Village - courtesy of Cape Point Route
5. Cape Fur Seals on Duiker Island, Hout Bay - courtesy of Cape Point Route
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