Cape Town’s southern peninsula boasts some of the most 
beautiful beaches in the world, but it also offers some exciting adventures off its coast.
Seal Island may not have the same weight historically speaking as Robben Island, but it serves an important purpose in the grand ecological scheme of things. Boat trips to Seal Island are popular among visitors to Muizenberg, Fish Hoek and Simon’s Town. It’s only 16km from shore and is home to around 75,000 Cape Fur Seals.
Back in the days when sealing was as accepted as cattle farming, Seal Island’s seal population was nearly wiped out. Thankfully, common sense prevailed and the island is now part of the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board.
The lack of human interference (boats aren’t allowed to dock) has meant that not only do seals thrive but the island is now also home to 24 bird species, including Kelp Gulls, Cape Cormorants, White-breasted Cormorants, Subarctic Skuas and about 80 breeding pairs of African penguins that swim over from Boulder’s Beach.
Seal Island is also (very) famous for breaching Great White Sharks. It’s one of the few places in the world where these magnificent creatures leap out of the water with their prey. It’s a favourite destination for filming National Geographic documentaries and no TV programme about sharks is complete without mentioning the Great Whites around Seal Island.
The trip to Seal Island is an experience in itself, as you can enjoy the spectacular views from the ocean of Cape Point, Constantia Valley, the long coastline of False Bay and the mountains surrounding the bay. You could also come across some playful dolphins and during whale season you might see some Southern Right Whales.
Cape Fur Seals are able to call two islands in the southern peninsula home. Duiker Island is the lesser known of the two but is no less worthy of a visit. Duiker Island is a small landmass close to Hout Bay on the other side of the peninsula. Boats generally set off from Mariner’s Wharf in Hout Bay Harbour.
Finally, there are boat trip to Cape Point. The trip is amazing as you go past the awe-inspiring scenery of the coast until you reach the enormous cliffs of the point. Waves crash, birds swoop overhead and, depending on your tour operator, you may even be given the opportunity to explore some of the caves. Once again you stand a chance of meeting dolphins and whales.
There are a number of boat tour operators in the area, why not give one of them a call and book a boat trip now.
(Image by Len’Alex on fr.wikipedia, via Wikimedia Commons)
Jade Scully is a copywriter excited about writing copy and stories, blogging about the world and editing. She currently and regularly publishes her stories on a number of blogs. Jade loves animals and hopes to begin writing copy for the animal rescue charity TEARS as her contribution to the cause.
