Duiker Island (Seal Island)
Duiker Island
A low rocky island off Hout Bay that is home to thousands of Cape fur seals; boat trips from Hout Bay Harbour take about 40 minutes round trip for close-up views.
Duiker Island lies off the west side of Hout Bay. This low granite reef is home to some 5,000 Cape fur seals year-round, along with cormorants, gulls and other seabirds. Landing on the island is prohibited. Visitors board sightseeing boats from Hout Bay Harbour, operated by companies such as Circe Launches and Nauticat. The one-way trip takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and boats usually linger about 10 minutes beside the island. From there you can get close to seals basking on the rocks and splashing and swimming alongside the boat, while looking back at Sentinel Peak and the Chapman's Peak coastline. Adult tickets cost about ZAR 100 to 150, and glass-bottom boats cost a little more. Sailings run several times a day but are cancelled in strong winds, so mornings are recommended in peak season. It is often combined with fish and chips at the Hout Bay fishing harbour, a self-drive along Chapman's Peak Drive, and a Cape Point day trip. Note: the seals have a strong smell, the boat can be windy and choppy, so bring a jacket.
Opening hours
Sightseeing boats approx. 08:45–16:30, multiple departures; suspended in bad weather
Nearby sights
- Hout Bay
- Chapman's Peak Lookout
- Noordhoek Beach
- Groot Constantia
- Camps Bay
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
- Table Mountain
- Clifton Beaches