Duiker Island — Attraction in Western Cape

Duiker Island is a tiny, rocky island located off the coast of Hout Bay, a charming fishing community set along Cape Town's rough coastline. More widely known as Seal Island, this modest piece of land has attracted international attention for its unique inhabitants: a huge colony of Cape fur seals.

Duiker Island is located in the Atlantic Ocean, not far from the mainland. The island is fairly tiny, made up mostly of rough cliffs and rocky outcrops. With little flora to speak of, the island's austere beauty is enhanced by the relentless hammering of ocean waves. The surrounding seas are often chilly and have strong currents, making it difficult for aquatic species to survive.

The most notable aspect of Duiker Island is unquestionably its robust seal population. This island is home to thousands of Cape fur seals, who use it for breeding, resting, and molting. These sleek and nimble creatures have adapted well to the harsh coastal environment, spending their days lounging in the sun on the rocky cliffs or plunging into the frigid seas to hunt for food. Their characteristic barking sounds provide a continual cacophony that reverberates throughout the seas.

The Cape fur seal is a rare marine animal, notable for its thick, luxuriant fur and ability to dive deep. These active critters are a common sight for tourists to Hout Bay, who frequently come to watch them play and interact with one another. The island's unique environment, paired with its wealth of marine life, make it a must-see destination for both nature lovers and animal...

DUIKER ISLAND

The seal island Duiker Island is located not far from the harbor area in Hout Bay.

If you would like to visit the seal colony on the island, you have the option of hiking over Mount Sentinel or taking a boat trip there: boats go from the harbor to the seals several times a day.

Such an excursion usually lasts an hour and is offered by several boat operators who wait for tourists directly on the quay with...

20241205 - Enjoyable short ride out to have a look at the seals basking on a rock platform out in the sea

The ride was however too rough for a few of us and sickness bags had to be deployed

We went out late in the afternoon and the low sun caused significant glare

Perhaps going out on a different time of the day could allow us to see the seals clearer with the...