I was surprised when I discovered Cape Fur Seals were some people’s favourite animal. They’re big, they’re sluggish and they can be pretty stinky – on land. In the water, they’re like excited smooth labradors (although I wouldn’t try pet them).
Having just travelled to Canada for the first time and seeing a chipmunk in real life, now I can understand the excitement. (It has nothing to do with me yelling, “Alvhin, it’s me! I’ve come all the way to see you!”) Seeing animals in real life is just COOL.
So if you’re a seal loving individual and you’d like to see these chonky boys in real life, here are 5 locations where you can see seals in Cape Town for FREE! Or, as we like to say in South Africa – for MAHALA! (It means free.)
V&A Waterfront Basin
These lazy guys LOVE our flagship shopping centre right on the edge of the Atlantic. If you’re walking from the Silo precinct, before you cross the bridge, take a left at the Brauhaus and walk along the dock. They’re often lazing around in the sunshine on the decks, tyres or even snoozing in the water itself.
Kalk Bay
If you’re heading towards the “Deep South”, you’ll find a bunch of seals snoozing in the midday sun right on the Kalk Bay Dock. They’re often in the harbour basin just cruising around, stealing fish from the fisherman’s’ lines and waiting for scraps from the fisherman’s cleaning decks.
Twelve Apostles
Everyone knows the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa along the Atlantic Seaboard, but so many people don’t realise you can actually see seals from from their doorstep. Along the road is a horseshoe shaped rock and nearby is a flat rock with seals lazing in the sunshine. It’s a bit far out, but they’re always there.
Outside the Table Bay Hotel
The Table Bay Hotel was recently renovated into the Intercontinental and it’s a stunning new hotel. With huge windows, you can even likely sit in their bar area and see the seals. If not, opt for their outside section (on the water) and find seals lounging on the jetty outside.
Houtbay Harbour
The seals in Houtbay have become a little controversial as local men try to charge money for photographs and entertainment. It is illegal to feed seals and no one needs to pay to take photographs. If you’re in the area and you would like to see a seal, they are often at the Houtbay Harbour which is the side where the fishing boats come in.
Where NOT to See Seals in Cape Town
- Blouberg or Tableview – you may see them frollicking in the waves and every now and again one may arrive on shores, but they’re not certain and not guaranteed to be lying around anywhere.
- Milnerton – you may also see the odd seal in the water, but won’t likely see them out of the water anywhere.
- Wine Route – no brainer, not close enough to the ocean to see them.
