Cape Fur Seals
The Cape Fur Seals are a fascinating marine mammal that is curious and playful enough to approach divers and groups will often put on a display of underwater “hydrobatics” and make mock charges at divers before swerving away at the last moment. They live in colonies which can range from a few hundred individuals, such as the one at Partridge Point, to huge colonies like Seal Island in False Bay or Duiker Island off the Sentinel in Hout Bay – where they can number in the tens of thousands.
It can be lots of fun to dive or snorkel with the seals, as they often loll at the surface, warming their flippers in the sun or congregating in groups waiting to head out to sea to hunt for fish. They also make great photographic subjects – if you are quick enough! We often plan launches to dive with the seals – it’s usually a later dive in the day, such as the 1130 or 1400 launch because they are most often at shallow sites.