8 great places to go snorkeling with seals and sea lions

Snorkeling with seals is one of the most fun underwater experiences of all. These charismatic and curious animals are renowned for coming close to snorkelers, nibbling their fins and creating perfect photographic opportunities. Whether you want to snorkel in Antarctica’s brisk waters with leopard seals, relax in Mexico’s warm waters with sea lions, or take a road trip along Australia’s eastern coast to several top seal swim destinations, you can. Whatever your preference or location, there is a seal or sea lion hotspot just right for you. Read on to find out more.

1) Baja California, Mexico

The Sea of Cortez in Baja California is renowned for its fantastic snorkeling, with thriving marine life and vibrant coral reefs in sheltered waters. La Paz, the tranquil capital of Baja California, is fringed by the Sea of Cortez and has a colony of over 200 California sea lions at Los Islotes. It is one of the most popular places to go swimming with sea lions in Mexico. You can also swim with these charming animals at Cabo Pulmo’s Isla San Pedro. Either way, the sea lions are present all year, though you can spot playful pups if you visit in September.

Species: California sea lions.

 2) Kaikoura, New Zealand

Backed by snow-capped mountains in winter and washed by bright azure waters in summer, Kaikoura is a stunning place to snorkel with seals. Kaikoura’s lush kelp forests are busy with diverse marine life, including plenty of New Zealand fur seals. The nearby continental shelf has created a biodiversity hotspot, where whales, dolphins, sharks and fish life also thrive; making Kaikoura very popular for snorkeling and diving in New Zealand.

Species: New Zealand fur seals.

 3) Antarctica

If you want to explore the world’s last untouched wilderness and swim with an iconic apex predator, visit Antarctica. Hop on a cruise boat, wrap up warm, and you will discover a world of  clear blue waters with jaw-dropping underwater ice formations. There is an abundance of marine life to see, including impressive leopard seals and up to five other species of seal: Ross, Weddell, crabeater, fur and elephant seals.

Species: Leopard seals.

 4) United Kingdom

Visit the United Kingdom and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to swimming with seals. This easily-accessible destination is home to some of the best-known places to snorkel with seals and is perfect for a summer getaway.

The Farne Islands off the Northumberland coast are renowned for their puffins and have a population of around 5000 Atlantic grey seals, which you can snorkel with. Sitting in the Bristol Channel off Devon, Lundy Island is a Marine Conservation Zone with a thriving grey seal population and offers summer snorkeling safaris with these beautiful seals. If you want to spend your days lazing on soft white sand beaches and snorkeling with seals, don’t miss a trip to St Martin’s in the Isles of Scilly.

Species: Atlantic grey seals.

 5) Western Cape, South Africa

False Bay in the Western Cape, with its rich waters and curving coastline, is a paradise for marine life large and small. It is frequented by numerous whales, sharks, dolphins, orca, thousands of seabirds, and tens of thousands of Cape fur seals. Take a 20-minute boat ride to storm-washed Seal Island to watch the seals frolicking in the water, leaping in the waves and evading the clutches of broadnose sevengill sharks.

If you want to snorkel with these acrobatic animals, you can do so at Duiker Island in Hout Bay and from Simon’s Town in False Bay. These seals are known for coming close to snorkelers, checking you out as they pass by, so make sure you take your camera. Afterwards, you can enjoy the fantastic food, wine and culture that Cape Town is known for.

Species: Cape fur seals.

 6) Hornby Island, Canada

People flock to Hornby Island’s shores every winter to go swimming with Steller sea lions. These huge sea lions can weigh up to 2,500 pounds and are an impressive sight in the clear cool waters off Hornby Island. Stay on Hornby Island and you can swim with these sea lions, as well as California sea lions during winter and Harbour seals year-round. Known as the ‘Little Hawaii’ of Canada, Hornby Island is also known for its glorious white sand beaches and excellent diving.

Species: Steller sea lions, Harbour seals, California sea lions.

 7) Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Galapagos diving is a bucket list activity for any underwater naturalist, but you don’t need to be a certified diver to make the most of this incredible destination. There are countless wildlife spotting opportunities above water and these remote islands offer world-class snorkeling as well.

Rich in nutrients, the waters off these famous oceanic islands are teeming with life and offer an experience like no other. You can snorkel with both Galapagos sea lions and seals there, plus huge shoals of fish, sea turtles, sharks and more.

Species: Galapagos fur seals, Galapagos sea lions.

 8) Australia

When it comes to year-round sunshine destinations with wildlife experiences for the whole family, it’s hard to beat Australia. There are idyllic destinations strewn along the eastern coast, where you can swim with seals and enjoy world-class snorkeling, so plan a road trip and enjoy!

Montague Island in New South Wales hosts both Australian and New Zealand fur seals and has a colony of little penguins as well. Take a trip to the island to explore the lighthouse, visit the island’s significant Aboriginal sites, and snorkel with fur seals in clear turquoise waters.

Head north to Jervis Bay to swim with Australian fur seals and humpback whales in sheltered waters. September to October is the peak season for swimming with the whales and the fur seals are resident all year.

Continue on to Sydney to enjoy the surf culture and beaches of this famous Australian city, then hop on a flight to Cairns to snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef. This enormous reef system might not have seals, but with over 1500 fish species and one-third of the world’s soft corals, it is an unmissable highlight of any Australia vacation.

Species: Australian fur seals, New Zealand fur seals.

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Kathryn Curzon, a shark conservationist and dive travel writer for Scuba Schools International (SSI), wrote this article.