Tour operator
City Sightseeing Cape Town
City Sightseeing runs Cape Town's red hop-on hop-off buses, plus free 90-minute walking tours from its Long Street office and day tours to Cape Point and…
Drumbeat Charters
From Hout Bay harbour, Drumbeat Charters runs short boat cruises to the Cape fur seal colony on Duiker Island, plus longer trips and high-speed eco tours.
At a glance
- Type
- Boat trips to Seal Island
- Area
- Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
- Official site
- drumbeatcharters.co.za
Good to know
- Seal colony cruises
- Child-friendly cruises
- High-speed eco tours
Why we recommend it
Drumbeat Charters runs boat trips from Hout Bay harbour, the fishing harbour on the Atlantic coast about 20 to 30 minutes' drive south of the city centre. Its main trips take visitors out to Duiker Island, often called Seal Island, a small rocky island off the Sentinel peak where a large colony of Cape fur seals lives.
The standard trip is a 40-minute seal colony cruise, which the company describes as an exciting, child-friendly outing. The boat heads out of the harbour, past the dramatic cliffs of the Sentinel, to the island, where you can watch and hear the seals at close range as they swim, play and bask on the rocks. A 60-minute special cruise adds more of the coast, with a route that depends on wind and sea conditions and includes Seal Island and either a shipwreck or a view of Chapman's Peak. There is also a faster eco tour in a high-speed boat.
The short trips are a good way to get out on the water without committing to a full day, and they suit families with children, groups and anyone who wants a taste of the Atlantic coast. Departure times are not published online, so call or email to confirm times and book. Trips depend on the weather and sea, and the Atlantic can be rough, so be prepared for changes and take seasickness precautions if you are prone to it.
Dress warmly, as the wind on the water is cold even in summer, and bring sun protection and a camera. Children under 14 travel at a reduced rate on the standard cruises, and the high-speed eco tour has a children's rate from the age of seven. Arrive early, as finding parking in the harbour can take time on busy days.
Hout Bay harbour itself is worth exploring before or after the trip, with seafood restaurants, takeaway fish and chips and the weekend Bay Harbour Market nearby. The harbour is also the northern end of Chapman's Peak Drive, so the trip can be part of a scenic drive around the peninsula, road conditions permitting.
Cape fur seals are wild animals, so keep hands inside the boat and follow the skipper's instructions throughout the trip.
Drumbeat Charters FAQs
Where do trips leave from?
From Hout Bay Harbour.
How long is the seal colony cruise?
About 40 minutes.
What will I see?
The Cape fur seal colony on Duiker Island, also known as Seal Island.
Is there a longer trip?
Yes. A 60-minute special cruise, with a route depending on conditions.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. The standard cruise is described as child-friendly, with reduced rates for under-14s.
Is there a children's rate on the high-speed eco tour?
Yes, for children aged 7 to 14.
Are departure times published?
No. Call or email to confirm times and book.
What should I bring?
A warm layer, sun protection and a camera.