What to expect, step by step
The whole trip takes about an hour and a half. Here is each part of it, so nothing on the day is a surprise.
- 30 minutes before departure
Arrive at Central Beach
The Offshore Adventures office is in the Central Beach car park on Hopwood Street. Park in the public car park, check in and do the paperwork. Use the bathroom before you launch, because there is none on the boat.
- Next
Get kitted out
The crew sizes you up for a wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins. Suits run from small children’s sizes to XXXL. Change rooms and lockers are at the beach, so leave valuables and dry clothes there.
- On the sand
Safety briefing
Your guide explains how the launch works, how to move in the water, and the rules around the seals. Ask anything. If you are nervous, say so now and a guide will stay beside you.
- Departure time
Beach launch
Life jackets on. The boat is pushed off the sand and punches out through the surf. Hold on with both hands and expect a little spray.
- A short, fast ride
Across the bay to Robberg
The boat runs along the peninsula below the cliffs. Watch for dolphins, and for whales between about June and November.
- Up to 30 minutes
In the water
The skipper stops near the colony. The guide gets in first, then you slide off the tube into the water. You float face down, breathe through the snorkel and let the seals come to you. The boat stays close the whole time.
- Back on board
The ride home
The crew helps you back into the boat. You warm up in the sun, compare stories and ride back to Central Beach for a beach landing.
- Afterwards
Shower, change, photos
Warm showers and change rooms are waiting. Your photos arrive as a link, and you can order a custom video for R200.
Timing your day
Trips leave at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00. Allow about two and a half hours from arriving to driving away. Morning trips suit people who want the afternoon for hiking Robberg.
What the water is like
Temperature. About 17°C in winter and 20°C in midsummer. The wetsuit handles it. Your hands and face will feel the cold for the first minute, then you forget about it.
Visibility. It changes with swell, wind and plankton. On a clear day you see seals coming from many metres away. On a green day they appear out of the haze at arm’s length, which is its own kind of thrill.
Depth and movement. You are at the surface over a rocky reef, near the boat. There is usually some swell. You do not need to dive down, and most people simply float.
What to bring
- Swimsuit, worn under your clothes to save time
- Towel
- Warm top for afterwards
- Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses for the ride
- Seasickness tablets if you are prone, taken beforehand
- A waterproof camera on a strap, if you have one
What to leave behind
- Jewellery and watches that are not waterproof
- Glasses, unless you only need them on the boat
- Anything you would mind getting wet
Plan the rest
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.