Seal Bay Conservation Park
Seal Bay Conservation Park
Seal Bay Conservation Park
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Seal Bay offers one of the most exceptional nature-based experiences in the world. Fees are invested into ongoing research and conservation efforts and through these efforts we hope to preserve the natural habitat of a wild Australian sea lion colony for generations to come. Our tours are designed to suit a wide variety of visitors - you can stay all day if you want to! There are no enclosures or cages at Seal Bay. Instead, you will be taken into the heart of the colony where our experienced guides will teach you more about these endangered animals. Visitors given a unique insight into how these endangered animals fish, surf, rest, interact with their pups and defend their territory.If you prefer, you can set your own pace on the wheelchair accessible 300 metre boardwalk which meanders through the dunes to a number of viewing platforms.
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- S & WMelbourne, Australia87 contributionsRecommend a visit to the Australian fur seal colonyThe facilities are outstanding with an easy to navigate board walk, information centre, and small gift shop. The park rangers were friendly, informative and very tolerant fielding many many questions from my children and I on the beach with the seals. The seals stole the show with their snoozing and frolicking in the waves, and pups nursing. Would highly recommend.Visited January 2023Traveled with familyWritten January 12, 2023
- Wesley CTucson, Arizona9,878 contributionsUp Close Seal EncountersSeal Bay Conservation Park opened in 1967 & is located on the south coast of Kangaroo Island about 49 miles from Penneshaw. Has a 300 ft boardwalk through the dunes with many viewing platforms. Take the guided tour down to the beach for close up encounters with the seals!!! Seal Bay is the 3rd largest seal colony in Australia and is a natural setting with no enclosures or cages. The park covers 24.6 sq miles and gets 100,000+ visitors per year. Was awesome to see -- highly recommend it.Visited November 2022Written January 31, 2023
- Alsonin16 contributionsLazy sealsIt was the start of a 41deg day but the walk to the beach and the information from the guide was amazing. We even saw one lazy seal still asleep up in the dunes. There were a few pups missing their Mother but a few young ones were enjoying frollicking in the waves.Visited February 2023Written February 24, 2023
- ITRT38,566 contributionsSea Lion ColonyThis was a highlight of our Kangaroo Island tour. The third largest bay is home to Australia’s sea lion colony. There is a wheelchair accessible boardwalk with a few viewing platforms. We saw many sea lions lying om the beach enjoying the sun’s rays and some who found shade under the boardwalk. The area is designated as a conservation marine park to maintain a safe environment for the seals. You are not allowed to walk on the beach unless you are with the park’s guides. Besides the seals, the views are fantastic.Visited December 2022Written March 7, 2023
- JudithHawke's Bay Region, New Zealand17 contributionsBoardwalk experience for sea Lion viewingWe had an excellent boardwalk experience visiting the sea lions. Ticket purchase was efficient and helpful. We chose self-guided boardwalk to be flexible based on incoming rain. The visitor centre has excellent informative panels which make good reading before and after the sea lion viewing. We had a clear view of the sea lions and spent a long time watching them play in the sea, feed, play in groups. Rain arrived as we left!Visited March 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten March 7, 2023
- Sam&Marida&Summer14 contributionsGuided TourWe did the guided tour rather than the boardwalk to get a more up close experience. With only 8 in our group it was not overcrowded and relaxed. After a walk down the tour path you enter the beach area and are allowed around 10m short of the Sea Lions to get some photos and discuss and ask questions of the tour guide. You are on the beach around 30mins and get to see the Sea Lions in their natural habitat without the feel you are encroaching on them. Would reccommend the extra cost to get that much closer.Visited March 2023Traveled with familyWritten March 24, 2023
- m hSeminole, Florida6 contributionsAmazing... Book it!Amazing close-up encounter with beautiful wildlife. If you've spent the time and money to come to Kangaroo Island, spend just a bit more for the guided tour. Informative, passionate tour guide gets you within 30 feet of these endangered, lovely sea/land creatures. One of the highlights of our visit.Visited April 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten April 1, 2023
- bushwalkergirlDorset, United Kingdom67 contributionsSelf guided tour disappointingPaid $17 each to walk to a viewing platform where we saw seals resting on the beach. The following day we went to Flinders Chase NP, paid $12.50 each for the entrance fee and saw twice as many seals at Admirals Arch, plus other attractions, such as Remarkable Rocks. I can only assume that the rave reviews for Seal Bay come down to paying $38 per adult for a guided tour. I was disappointed with the self guided experience for the cost.Visited February 2023Written May 7, 2023
- Abbey H6 contributionsGuided tour is a must-do!The guided tour was sooo great! The whole park is beautiful, but getting to go on the sand and see the seals up close was extra special. Definitely recommend booking a guided tour, then enjoying views from the lookout and broad walk after! The info centre/gift shop is awesome too.Visited August 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten August 18, 2023
- JLW63 contributionsUp close with sealsWe did the guided tour and what an experience! We thought seeing the seals sunbathing by the paths on the board walk were great but stepping onto the beach we got within 10m of the seals. Such a magical experience and one we will remember. Our guide was lovely and provided us with lots of interesting information on the seals.Visited September 2023Traveled with familyWritten September 23, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,124 reviews
Excellent
1,511
Very good
422
Average
127
Poor
37
Terrible
27
34MarkR
Adelaide, Australia27 contributions
Jan 2020
We took the guided tour, This tour takes you onto the beach and you get to within approx 10m of the seals. There were lots of young pups playing in the surf when we were there. Our guide was very informative and answered all questions we had. Highly recommend the guided tour, it is worth the extra money to get really close to these wonderful animals in a pristine and natural environment.
Written January 22, 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.
jedsmum4
Brisbane, Australia12 contributions
Nov 2021
Seal bay is now only accessible if you pay -
$11 pp to walk on the boardwalk behind beach as a self guided tour or
$35 pp to do tour on the beach with a guide. I don't mind Nat Parks caring for this special place and animals in this way and also generating some income. Last car is admitted to the park at 4 pm (sun sets at 8pm at time of visit) so we could not access either seal option but we'd seen plenty of seals up at Admirals Arch so all ok. We had a day Nat Pk pass but I'm not sure if you need one as well as paying the above fees. I researched online and rang SA tourism prior to our departure to SA for info on Seal Bay and still I'm uncertain. It's all a new reopening after the fires and perhaps info will be more accessible as time goes by.
$11 pp to walk on the boardwalk behind beach as a self guided tour or
$35 pp to do tour on the beach with a guide. I don't mind Nat Parks caring for this special place and animals in this way and also generating some income. Last car is admitted to the park at 4 pm (sun sets at 8pm at time of visit) so we could not access either seal option but we'd seen plenty of seals up at Admirals Arch so all ok. We had a day Nat Pk pass but I'm not sure if you need one as well as paying the above fees. I researched online and rang SA tourism prior to our departure to SA for info on Seal Bay and still I'm uncertain. It's all a new reopening after the fires and perhaps info will be more accessible as time goes by.
Written November 21, 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.
Mike255100
Melbourne, Australia248 contributions
Jan 2021
Seal Bay is the home of a large sea lion colony.
Ideally, you should book a tour in advance, but we were lucky as one was just leaving.
The guided tour is $37.50 per person. A ranger takes small groups down to the beach and talks about the animals.
It was a beautiful day, and we enjoyed the experience. I was surprised to see how fast they can move - at least for short distances. They can rotate their rear flippers and then walk on all fours. There were a couple hundred at this colony, and they live here year-round. Most operate on a three-day cycle. Three days out at sea eating and three days on the beach resting.
The guided tour also gives you entry to the boardwalk ($16.50 if done separately), allowing you to see a different part of the beach.
We felt the tour was worth it.
Ideally, you should book a tour in advance, but we were lucky as one was just leaving.
The guided tour is $37.50 per person. A ranger takes small groups down to the beach and talks about the animals.
It was a beautiful day, and we enjoyed the experience. I was surprised to see how fast they can move - at least for short distances. They can rotate their rear flippers and then walk on all fours. There were a couple hundred at this colony, and they live here year-round. Most operate on a three-day cycle. Three days out at sea eating and three days on the beach resting.
The guided tour also gives you entry to the boardwalk ($16.50 if done separately), allowing you to see a different part of the beach.
We felt the tour was worth it.
Written January 24, 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.
SteveTheChocolate
Blairgowrie, UK66 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Really good start to our trip on Kangaroo Island. There is a fee of $17 per person to go on the boardwalk down to the shoreline to view the seals. The boardwalk is very easy to manage with seating at regular intervals but if only takes 7-8 mins to walk down. The viewing platform at the bottom gives you a good view of the bay and there were plenty seals to loom at including one we found immediately below our feet. There is a guided tour on the beach for a few of $45 per head but we didn’t take that one opting for the boardwalk. Really enjoyable walk and experience.
Written February 29, 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.
nauj63
South East England, UK784 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
A ‘nice’ if not remarkable way to spend an hour. The self-guided boardwalk ‘tour’ does its job albeit the ‘front desk’ sales people make sure you understand that this particular option does NOT allow you to enter the beach !! To do that is $37. From the boardwalk, it’s a circa 10 mins stroll down to the beach viewing area. If you’ve not seen wild seals before, there are enough down below you to keep you entertained. If however you’ve seen colonies in other Continents, this experience is good but somewhat underwhelming...
Written March 9, 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.
Foowashere
Adelaide, Australia93 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
The guided walk was an experience not to be missed if somewhat expensive for families.
We felt it was rather more pitched at adults than the younger members of the party - there were ten of us - 6 adults and 4 children under 11.
The guide did not really adjust his presentation to the range of ages and missed out on encouraging the children to be curious.
This needs to be considered by the organizers. The young are the ones who are inheriting the earth’s problems and giving them more attention should be top of the list - as well as remembering that it costs families a lot to afford a tour like this. The setting was magic and the information provided about the seals and their habits and habitat very thorough and interesting for adults.
We felt it was rather more pitched at adults than the younger members of the party - there were ten of us - 6 adults and 4 children under 11.
The guide did not really adjust his presentation to the range of ages and missed out on encouraging the children to be curious.
This needs to be considered by the organizers. The young are the ones who are inheriting the earth’s problems and giving them more attention should be top of the list - as well as remembering that it costs families a lot to afford a tour like this. The setting was magic and the information provided about the seals and their habits and habitat very thorough and interesting for adults.
Written December 20, 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.
Melanie S
11 contributions
Jan 2022
Definitely worth spending the money for the guided tour which takes you down to the beach so you can watch& take photos of the seals from about 10m away (so as not to disturb them) and receive information form the guide along the way. After doing the guided tour you can then also walk on the other boardwalk to the viewing area at your leisure. If its a warm day the seals will all be on the beach so you will not see much in the dunes along the boardwalk, but on a cool day they will be more likely to be in both areas. It was a hot day when we went & we only saw 3 seals in the dunes area around the board walks. Most were on the beach & swimming in the shallows. Special experience to see the seals & pups in their natural habitat. Definitely recommend booking the day before to ensure the time slot you want in busy times.
Written January 29, 2022
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.
walkasone
Brisbane, Australia956 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
Seal Bay is a conversation park and you do need to pay to either do the self guided tour or guided tour (requires advance booking). The self guided tour on the boardwalk was sufficient to see heaps of seals but you can’t get into the beach. It was a rainy day and there were still seals so anytime would be a great time time go. Saw a heap of mothers and their young.
Written January 6, 2022
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.
Bob_the_cat13
Cairns, Australia141 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
Can’t rate this experience high enough. We paid for the guided tour which allows you access to the beach as well as the self directed walk along the boardwalk and the lookout… getting down on the beach and up close to the seals was amazing. We had a small seal slide down the sand dunes behind us which was a lot of fun. Our guide was super friendly, the group itself is no more than 8 people so you have ample opportunity to ask questions and interact if you wish to. I would highly recommend it… the alternative being the self directed boardwalk is ok too, but you are a fair way from the seals. The seals are also more active in the morning, so go early !!
I note on other peoples reviews comments about the toilet… be aware you are in a national park, so the toilets will also be compost style and will always have an odour to them.
I note on other peoples reviews comments about the toilet… be aware you are in a national park, so the toilets will also be compost style and will always have an odour to them.
Written January 1, 2022
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.
pumpa11
sydney94 contributions
May 2021
We drove off the ferry at Penneshaw and went into the Tourist Info to buy tickets for the Seal Bay Guided tour. We were told that there was no concessions for pensioners. When we arrived at the attraction there was a big sign with all the costs, including one for a concession price, so very disgruntled and mislead. The tour was ok, but the tour leader seemed bored and distant, had to be prompted to give information. So in hindsight i would have paid just the admission to see the seals from the platform area, not the beach, or see them close up at the Western end of the island in the national park, they are close up at all the major seaside landmarks there and paid nothing..
Written June 16, 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.
Lori R
Culver City, CA31 contributions
Can you buy the guided tour tickets online? I don’t see a link on the website.
Thank you.
Andy & Toni
Mount Gambier, Australia114 contributions
We just went there ourselves, and paid for tickets, got the KI pass which covers 4 other tours in the price if you are there awhile.Tours for just the seals and boardwalk are around $37 adult and they run about about every 45min from 9 or 10am I think, and they take you down to the beach quite close to them. You can not really buy online unless your getting something like an all inclusive bus tour with ferry ect which some companies do. Hope it helps.
RachelMugg
Auckland, New Zealand208 contributions
HI, would you recommend the guided tour or just the self guided tour? What age is a child up too? Thanks in advance
Helen B
Sydney, Australia26 contributions
We took a 10 year old and an 18month old child (in a carry back pack) on our tour (only paid for the 10 year old). Also on the tour was another child who I assume was age 2 or 3. We saw children of all ages leaving on tours. The guide was very good at answering the children's questions.
21bernd
Warburg, Germany116 contributions
Hy wir sind im Marz 2017 auf Kangaroo Island. Habt ihr den Ausflug selbst organisiert und zu welcher Tageszeit wart ihr da? Wieviel Zeit sollten wir einplanen?
Vielen Dank für die Beantwortung der Fragen im Vorraus.
LG Gabi
Cate T
Melbourne, Australia23 contributions
Hi Gaby
We planned our own trip. We had accommodation in a B n B that we found on the internet, just out of Penneshaw. We took a car over on the ferry - picked up a hire car in Adelaide. Our first stop was the Visitors Centre near the ferry terminal where we got some ideas of what we could do. Our accommodation also had suggestions and tourist literature and the woman who ran the B n B, her deal included a guided tour for one of the days. So no, we didn't do a lot of pre-planning. Our trip was short and a bit spur of the moment. You could spend longer than the 4 days we did. There's all sorts of beaches, boat tours and natural sites across the island. If you wanted to go for a fortnight or so, you might be stretching it a bit. If you want a longer holiday, I'd suggest getting a house rental and taking a car. It's just so lovely and relaxing. March would be a good time - still warm but the holiday "crowds" would all be gone.
Hope that helps. Enjoy your time there.
Sternenforscher S
Düsseldorf, Germany31 contributions
Sie sind anscheinend noch nicht lange in Australien, sonst hätten Sie festgestellt, dass 16 Dollar pro Person vergleichsweise günstig ist. Ansonsten verstehe ich Ihr Problem nicht, das sind wilde Tiere, die man schützen will und vor denen man den Mensch, respektive den Besucher schützen will.
Udo R
Bad Breisig, Germany2,643 contributions
Das Schöne an dieser Plattform ist, dass jeder seinen ganz persönlichen Eindruck niederschreiben darf. Meiner war so wie beschrieben und glauben Sie mir ... ich stehe sehr auf Tier- und Naturschutz!
Fionastasia13
Marseille, France3 contributions
Nous partons bientôt en Australie pour un grand circuit au cours duquel nous commencerons par le sud et finirons vers cairns. Me doutant qu'il y aura de grosses différence de température, Je ne sais quelles tenues vestimentaires sont à prevoir... Quel est le climat en février vers Melbourne, Adélaïde et kangourou Island ? Fait-il froid ?
Merci d'avance pour vos informations.
GranVoyager
Montrouge, France169 contributions
Bonjour,
J'ai voyagé à trois reprises en Australie, en juin, novembre et août, donc en hiver et au printemps étant donné l'inversion des saisons. En février, vous serez en automne. Pour ma part, je me suis posé les mêmes questions que vous pour mon premier voyage et je vais vous faire la réponse qu'on m'avait donnée : emporter des vêtements qu'on peut mettre en couches (t-shirt, chemisier, pull, gilet, parka).
Sachez que dans le sud, il fait à peu près le même temps que chez nous, souvent en un peu plus doux. Dans le nord, il fait chaud et à Cairns, c'est un climat tropical, très humide.
À Melbourne, il y a souvent un vent froid qui rafraîchit considérablement la température.
À Adelaide, les températures descendent rarement en dessous de zéro, même en plein hiver. En automne, il devrait faire autour des 20°.
Kangaroo Island bénéficie d'un mini climat très tempéré, avec pluie dans les saisons intermédiaires.
En résumé, je vous conseille le système "couches". Une parka imperméable avec capuche et polaire détachables est idéale. Un bon pull léger, un bonnet, une écharpe, des gants, des t-shirts, jeans, baskets imperméables.
Petites infos supplémentaires : aucune piscine d'hôtel n'est chauffée, la nourriture est très chère, les boissons aussi, les Australiens sont super sympas.
Si vous avez d'autres questions plus précises, n'hésitez pas à me contacter à nouveau.
Bon voyage.
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Claim your listingSeal Bay Conservation Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Seal Bay Conservation Park
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Seal Bay Conservation Park Information
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