Seal Bay Information

Seal Bay is home to a colony of wild Australian Sea-lions. It is one of the few places in the world where these animals are relatively tolerant of people, and visitors are privileged to be able to observe their natural behaviour. Australian Sea lions spend two to three days at sea foraging for their food and return to shore where they sleep and rest for two to three days.

In the 1800's Australian sea lions were hunted for their skins and blubber with most of the colonies along the coastline of Kangaroo Island hunted to extinction. Seal Bay is one of the few accessible colonies left in the world. Because of the high conservation value of the Australian sea lion and their habitat, Seal Bay was proclaimed a Conservation Park in 1972. Due to increased numbers of visitors and the need to keep disturbance to the colony to a minimum, guided beach tours were introduced in 1987 and in 1996 the boardwalk was built as an alternative viewing option.

The stunning scenery at the nearby Bales Beach in Seal Bay Conservation Park makes it ideal for a long walk. The Bales Cottage Picnic Area is great for a relaxing picnic.

Groups of ten or more people are required to pre book the Beach tour.

Bus groups are required to book at least two weeks in advance.

There are two ways of paying at national parks sites on Kangaroo Island. Pay As You Go, or purchase an Island Parks Pass.

The Pass is valid for twelve months from the date of purchase and is not transferable.

Island Park Passes are available from any National Parks and Wildlife South Australia office on Kangaroo Island.

The Pass entitles the holder to guided tours at Seal Bay, Kelly Hill Caves, Cape Borda and Cape Willoughby lighthouses. Access to Flinders Chase National Park and the Seal Bay Boardwalk.

Please note the Island Parks Pass does not include camping, the Discovering Penguin tours or school holiday activities.

Beach Tour:

Access to the beach is by guided tour only. Beach tours depart at regular intervals. The Beach Tour includes access to the Boardwalk and the Lookout. Visitors are required to stay in a group with an Interpretive Officer to observe the sea lions from the distance indicated. This distance will depend upon the animal's behaviour and beach conditions.

Boardwalk and Lookout self guided tour costs:

Adult AUD9.50.

Child AUD5.50.

Family AUD25.00.

Concession AUD7.50.

Sunset Tour costs:

Adult AUD31.00.

Family AUD84.00.

Child AUD18.50

Concession AUD24.75.

Boardwalk:

This walkway of approximately 400 metres is a gentle gradient, making access easier for visitors with limited mobility. This option gives visitors the opportunity to watch the sea lions for as long as they wish. Alternatively it provides visitors with limited time the opportunity to view the colony without waiting for a guided beach tour. The boardwalk meanders through the dune system and finishes at a viewing platform overlooking the beach. On the platform there are interpretive signs focusing on sea lion behaviour and identification. The skeleton of a Humpback whale is visible from the boardwalk. The boardwalk will not give access to the beach.