Swim with seals: Plett or Cape Town?
Two colonies, two oceans, one species. Here is how to choose, from a crew that is biased and will try to be fair.
The short answer
Swim with seals in Plettenberg Bay if you are travelling the Garden Route or want the warmer water. Swim with seals in Cape Town if you are not leaving the city. The animal is the same Cape fur seal in both places. The sea around it is very different.
Side by side
| Plettenberg Bay | Cape Town | |
|---|---|---|
| Colony | Robberg Peninsula, inside a nature reserve and Marine Protected Area | Duiker Island, off Hout Bay |
| Ocean | Indian Ocean side of the south coast | Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula |
| Typical sea temperature | About 17 to 20°C | Typically 10 to 16°C |
| Underwater scenery | Rocky reef and open green water | Kelp forest |
| Getting there | Beach launch from Central Beach, short ride along the cliffs | Boat from Hout Bay harbour |
| Our price | R1 295 per person, gear and photos included | Check operators’ current prices |
| Season | All year except a winter pause in June and July | Seasonal. Check with the operator, as some close in winter. |
| Fits best with | A Garden Route road trip | A stay in Cape Town |
Why people choose Plett
- Warmer water. You are comfortable for the whole swim, which matters with children.
- Robberg. The ride runs under the cliffs of a World Heritage peninsula, and you can hike above the same colony that afternoon.
- More than seals. Dolphins are common on the ride, and whales share the bay from about June to November.
- Viewers welcome. Non-swimmers ride along for R795.
Why people choose Cape Town
- Convenience. Hout Bay is about half an hour from the city centre.
- Kelp. Seals weaving through a kelp forest is a different and beautiful sight.
- No long drive. Plett is about 520 kilometres from Cape Town, around six hours by road.
If you have the time, the two trips are different enough to do both.
What is the same in both
The species, the playfulness of the young seals, and the ground rules: go with a licensed operator, listen to the guide, and never touch or feed the animals. The rabies precautions introduced across South Africa since 2024 apply at every colony. Read ours on the safety page.
Last checked 10 October 2026.
Common questions
Can you swim with seals in South Africa?
Yes. The two main places are Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route, at the Robberg Peninsula colony, and Cape Town, at Duiker Island off Hout Bay. Both are guided snorkelling trips with wild Cape fur seals.
Where is the best place to swim with seals in South Africa?
It depends on your route. Plettenberg Bay has warmer Indian Ocean water and a colony inside a nature reserve. Cape Town has a colony among kelp forest in the cold Atlantic, a short drive from the city. If you are driving the Garden Route, do it in Plett.
Is the water warmer in Plettenberg Bay than Cape Town?
Yes, as a rule. Plett averages about 17 to 20°C through the year. The Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula, where the Cape Town trips run, is colder, typically somewhere between 10 and 16°C, and often coldest in summer when wind brings deep water to the surface.
Ready to meet the seals?
Trips leave Central Beach at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 every day, weather permitting. Pick a date and we will have a wetsuit waiting.