Phillip Island: Seal Rocks Cruise & Fur Seal Colony

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/7

Duration2h

GroupUp to 110

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Two Hours at Seal Rocks, Where Fur Seals Swim Up to the Boat

You board a catamaran at Phillip Island and cruise 2 kilometers offshore to Seal Rocks, where you drift meters from thousands of Australian fur seals while watching for dolphins and whales. A guide provides live commentary on the wildlife and Phillip Island's history. Afternoon tea with coffee and light snacks is included. The whole experience takes 2 hours and depends on weather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Phillip Island Seal-Watching Cruise

Board comfortable catamaran
Enjoy indoor and outdoor decks
Travel to Seal Rocks
Observe Australian fur seals closely
Spot dolphins, whales, penguins, seabirds
Listen to onboard wildlife commentary
View Phillip Island coastline
Have complimentary afternoon tea

The Experience

The skipper at the Phillip Island dock asked if we'd seen seals before. When we said no, he grinned and said we'd be close enough to count the whiskers. That's not quite true, but it's the kind of thing people say when they know what's about to happen. The catamaran leaves the pier and heads southwest toward Seal Rocks, 2 kilometers off the coast, where the largest fur seal colony in Australia hauls out on the rocks. The whole thing takes two hours, and most of that time you're either watching the seals or watching the water for dolphins and whales that sometimes show up.

Once the boat drifts within meters of the rocks, the seals do most of the work. They're curious — genuinely curious — and they'll swim right up to the catamaran to look at you looking at them. The onboard guide talks through what you're seeing: which ones are juveniles, how they hunt, why they're here instead of somewhere else. There's an indoor cabin if the wind picks up, and outdoor decks on both sides, so you can move around and find the angle that works. The coastline along the way is rough and interesting, all dark cliffs and white water, and the guide fills in the history of Phillip Island's western shore while you're taking it in.

Afternoon tea arrives partway through — coffee, tea, and light snacks — which sounds small until you're on the water and the sun's starting to drop and you're holding a warm cup. The whole Seal Rocks cruise is weather dependent, so if the forecast is rough, contact the operator before you go. Dress in layers; the wind out there is real. If motion sickness is a concern, this one operates in open water and the vessel does move, so that's worth knowing before you book.

What’s included

Your 2-hour cruise includes the catamaran journey to Seal Rocks, time drifting among the fur seal colony, live onboard guide commentary about the wildlife and Phillip Island's history, afternoon tea with coffee, tea and light snacks, and access to both indoor and outdoor viewing areas. Service animals are welcome.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Wildlife Coast Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Australian fur seals in their natural habitat without arranging your own boat or spending a full day on the water — the 2-hour window fits into an afternoon and the guide handles everything you'd need to know about what you're watching.