Seal Bay Conservation Park
Seal Bay Conservation Park: Hours, Address, Seal Bay Conservation Park Reviews: 4.5/5
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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4.5
2,065 reviews
Excellent
1,465
Very good
413
Average
125
Poor
36
Terrible
26
OzAlexis
Sefton Park, Australia46 contributions
Couples
With boardwalk and outlook options available at the more inexpensive end of the scale, you really benefit from the guided tour on the beach close to the sea lions. At a little under $40 per person you get about a 45 min tour with a well informed and passionate guide who is able to answer every question put to them.
Recommend going at the first booking fir the day (9:15)
Takes under an hour to reach from Kingscote via car.
Recommend going at the first booking fir the day (9:15)
Takes under an hour to reach from Kingscote via car.
Written March 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melanie S
11 contributions
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.
Jennifer B
Brisbane, Australia59 contributions
We took the 45 mins guided tour to walk on the beach at a close but safe distance from the sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park and would highly recommend it. Our guide, Bree was very knowledgeable and informative explaining the feeding, mating and restorative behaviours of these endangered animals. She also talked about the consequences of our actions and litter on them and their habitat. There were probably around 30 seal lions on the beach ranging in age from juveniles around 12 months old to the large lumbering males. Pups were playing tag just like young kids. It was a privilege to be in their company in such a spectacular setting, with gleaming green and blue waters with the backdrop of a rugged and dramatic coastline.
Written April 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jedsmum4
Brisbane, Australia12 contributions
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.
walkasone
Brisbane, Australia956 contributions
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.
Bob_the_cat13
Cairns, Australia124 contributions
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.
701David
Fitzroy, Australia818 contributions
The Seal Bay Park is quite beautiful on the wild coast of Kangaroo Island. We witnessed a lot of seals and their cubs lazing on the beach and within view from the viewing platform. Halfway through our visit we realised that a large seal was actually under the platform a metre under us. I realise that these experiences need to cover coast but I did feel it's an expensive exercise, particularly for families. This includes the tour on the beach with a ranger. Good experience but the model needs to be reviewed to get more tourists through the gate.
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gessf
Adelaide, Australia53 contributions
Seal Bay is always absolutely breathtaking, regardless of whether you take a tour or just the boardwalk. I am glad that in the years since I first visited, the visitor centre and toilet facilities have improved. However, like so many other tourist spots on KI there was no food facilites available. If people are travelling to Seal Bay from Penneshaw or Kingscote (over an hour away), there needs to be some kind of cafe here. There is nothing else close so people really need to be warned to pack a thermos of coffee and a sandwich, otherwise it can be a really long trip, especially with kids.
Written April 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mike255100
Melbourne, Australia233 contributions
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.
portmagpie
Adelaide, Australia244 contributions
If you go to Kangaroo Island make sure to include Seal Bay in your Itinerary.
Our family arrived on Kangaroo Island ,5 days after the terrible bush fires and whilst half the Island was closed we managed to get to Seal Bay.
We all enjoyed the guided tour and the information given by the lovely girl who took our group. After explaining about the area and the seals we all went towards the beach to a viewing area to look at the seals. Most were laying about enjoying the sun, but the highlights were mothers trying to entice their baby's into the water and others who were surfing in on the waves.
At the information centre there is a small cafe for drinks and ice creams etc.
There is also a boardwalk that allows people to walk see the seals if they do not wish to do the guided tour.
Our family arrived on Kangaroo Island ,5 days after the terrible bush fires and whilst half the Island was closed we managed to get to Seal Bay.
We all enjoyed the guided tour and the information given by the lovely girl who took our group. After explaining about the area and the seals we all went towards the beach to a viewing area to look at the seals. Most were laying about enjoying the sun, but the highlights were mothers trying to entice their baby's into the water and others who were surfing in on the waves.
At the information centre there is a small cafe for drinks and ice creams etc.
There is also a boardwalk that allows people to walk see the seals if they do not wish to do the guided tour.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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, Australia109 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 Zealand206 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, Germany114 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, Germany2,501 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, France166 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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Seal Bay Conservation Park
- Seal Bay Conservation Park is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking Seal Bay Conservation Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 12 Seal Bay Conservation Park tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Seal Bay Conservation Park:
- Kangaroo Island Scenic Trail Tour (From $274.04)
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- Kangaroo Island 4WD Tour - Best of KI (From $277.51)
- 2-Day Kangaroo Island 4WD Small-Group Tour from Adelaide (From $894.26)
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- (6.86 mi) Ecopia Retreat - Luxury Eco Villa
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