Seal Bay is home to Australia’s third largest colony of Australian sea lions and is one of Kangaroo Island’s most visited natural attractions.

Established as a South Australian Conservation Park in 2002, the almost 6400-hectare area park reaches from Nobby Islet to Cape Gantheaume and includes Bales Beach. It has been protected as a protected area for sea lions since 1954.

Since the first organised tours were conducted in 1955, visitor numbers to Seal Bay have steadily increased, and facilities at the park have followed suit, including an interactive Visitor Centre which is a hub for research and conservation. It is the only place in the world where visitors can see Australian sea lions (safely!) at close quarters, walking on the beach as pups play, watching as enormous bulls fight for supremacy and resting mothers suckle their young.

In the company of a Southern Ocean Lodge guide, guests can wander into the heart of the sea lion colony via a dedicated boardwalk through the sand dunes and along the shores of the beach for an exclusive tour with these wild animals. Learn about their unique breeding cycle and the ongoing research programs implemented on site. It’s just one of the many privileges of a visit to Kangaroo Island.

This half day experience is a spectacular introduction to Kangaroo Island’s wildlife and stunning coastal landscapes and takes full advantage of the lodge’s central location.