Duiker Island
Duiker Island
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
219 reviews
Excellent
97
Very good
86
Average
31
Poor
2
Terrible
3
BirgittaMartinsson
Tyreso, Sweden23 contributions
Feb 2020
We did a snorkelling trip with Animal Ocean Seal Snorkeling to Duiker Island. It was a fantastic experience to see all these seals. They were curious and mischievous. They came close before quickly swimming on and jumping in the waves.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matvl
5,590 contributions
Feb 2021
We booked a trip through Animal Ocean to Duiker Island. The experience was amazing and we loved paddling over the swirling kelp watching the seals darting all of the place. Great part of the world and well worth a visit if you can.
Written February 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CCC_wanderlust
Oxon Hill, MD2,440 contributions
Nov 2011 • Solo
One thing to note is that a "Seal Island Trip" doesn't put one on Duiker Island itself. Rather, the charter boat takes passengers as close to Duiker Island as it is safe for the fur seal colony, and passengers have about 10 minutes to view/gawk at the fur seals that are lounging on the rocks or swimming in the water.
I arrived at Hout Bay via the City Sightseeing Cape Town Blue route bus. From the bus stop, you walk a few meters to the right toward all the fishing boats. You'll see a few charter boats advertising Seal Island trips. As I was on a time constraint, I chose Nautica Charters, which was the boat leaving first . The price differences among the various charter boat companies was not significant.
The boat ride out to Duiker Island proved to be rough. If you are prone to motion sickness, I recommend taking something before embarking on the boat. Defer any meals/refreshments until after the trip. The boat ride took around 20 minutes. The boat slows down and eventually stops at Duiker Island, and passengers are given plenty of time to snap photos or gawk at the fur seals. I was amazed at the sheer number of seals there. What I initially thought to be a bed of kelp turned out to be seal flippers as the seals swam on their backs and soaked in the sun. There was also a strong fish smell, but that didn't bother me. Even though the captain turned off the engine, the boat still rocked against the waves, so make sure you've got your camera well-secured. Overall, the Seal Island trip took about 45 minutes, departure to return to Hout Bay. I enjoyed it and am glad I made it one of my stops on the City Sightseeing blue route.
I arrived at Hout Bay via the City Sightseeing Cape Town Blue route bus. From the bus stop, you walk a few meters to the right toward all the fishing boats. You'll see a few charter boats advertising Seal Island trips. As I was on a time constraint, I chose Nautica Charters, which was the boat leaving first . The price differences among the various charter boat companies was not significant.
The boat ride out to Duiker Island proved to be rough. If you are prone to motion sickness, I recommend taking something before embarking on the boat. Defer any meals/refreshments until after the trip. The boat ride took around 20 minutes. The boat slows down and eventually stops at Duiker Island, and passengers are given plenty of time to snap photos or gawk at the fur seals. I was amazed at the sheer number of seals there. What I initially thought to be a bed of kelp turned out to be seal flippers as the seals swam on their backs and soaked in the sun. There was also a strong fish smell, but that didn't bother me. Even though the captain turned off the engine, the boat still rocked against the waves, so make sure you've got your camera well-secured. Overall, the Seal Island trip took about 45 minutes, departure to return to Hout Bay. I enjoyed it and am glad I made it one of my stops on the City Sightseeing blue route.
Written January 29, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nadia
Enschede, The Netherlands382 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
Have an hour to spare and close to Hout bay? Then visit Duiker Island and see the magnificent seals. It's just a short boat ride away.
Written December 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grace LEE
Singapore, Singapore157 contributions
May 2019
We drove to the Hout Bay and pay 80rands for a 45mins boat ride. There are about 3 companies and different timing. Our boat took 15mins to the island per way and 10mins stop at the island to see the seals. They were actively leaping and finding food in the water.
Written May 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neonlites
Newtown, UK191 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
Took a short boat ride out to the island (about 40 min return trip) to see the seals - of which there were loads! Good fun, sea a little "bouncy" and windy (take a scarf or cardi!)
Written March 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jochen B
Bonn364 contributions
Nov 2019
The very short boat trip to the island costs 100 ZAR per person. A motor barge takes you out of the bay to a group of small rocks on which a surprisingly large number of seals lie unperturbed, as visitors are not allowed to leave the boats and can just look at the seals from a distance of about 30 yards or so. That is as it should be, of course, the animals are more important than the spectators. But seals happily and lazily reclining on their rock is all you see for less than a quarter of an hour, then the boat returns to port to pick up more tourists. Watch out in windy weather, the water can be fairly choppy!
Written November 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Woodbine321
Marlborough, UK63 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
Go for a seal snorkel experience or if that is too extreme for you - one of the seal boat trips. The seals are great fun to watch. They jump, surf and play. Swimming with seals was a highlight of the holiday for all my family
Written April 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yair K
Giv'atayim, Israel740 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
We went to Duiker Island to see the Cape Fur Seals colony and it was a great experience. You reach there by a short cruise with a boat from the harbor of Haut Bay.
On our way back we had a chance to see some whales, which was a bonus.
Highly recommended!
On our way back we had a chance to see some whales, which was a bonus.
Highly recommended!
Written April 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ardeshir B
Tehran, Iran189 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
literary every where. you take a boat 15 minutes out you will see a sea of seals and sea birds all around you.
there is a seal at the docks that you can hug, pet and take pictures with
there is a seal at the docks that you can hug, pet and take pictures with
Written April 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, what times do the boats leave to Duiker Island to see the seals? We should be there around lunch time on Friday 26 January, but would rather not book in advance in case timings slip. Many thanks.
Written January 1, 2018
Hi Holidaymaddddd,
we came to Houtbaai absolutely unprepared so without any booking and we could get our 5 tickets at the counter I the harbor easily. That was off season so I am not sure if that works in the summer too.
you could try the website circelaunches to get an idea of daily departures.
Have fun!
Written January 11, 2018
Ciao volevo sapere come avete prenotato la barca se on LINE ( con che tour operator) o direttamente sul posto. Grazie
Written July 4, 2016
Direttamente sul posto 1 ora prima (intanto abbiamo mangiato una cosa)
Written July 4, 2016
Hi,
I read your review on TripAdvisor about Duiker Island. You had mentioned that you visited it by land. We will be in Cape Town in July and thought land would be a better idea than boat (and the lack of flocks of tourist sounded good!). Could you tell me how you did this excursion i.e. drive to a certain point and then walk. Please let me know. Any other advise for Cape Town will also be appreciated.
Thanks
Written February 21, 2015
Hi there,
Unfortunately you can only get to the island by boat. There are a few different companies that leave from the harbour, several times a day, weather permitting. The tours are very safe and take different routes, depending on the sea.
If you don't fancy taking a boat the seals can normally be seen from land. Look for them by Marinas Wharf, the harbour, or by the canons. They can often be seen on Chapman's Peak side of the beach too.
If you want to know anything or need any more tips for your visit, please feel free to ask.
Regards.
Written February 22, 2015
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