#seals #simonstown #capetown

Back on the Western Cape. Simon's Town is around 40 minutes outside of Cape Town and a popular spot for diving. Whilst I couldn't scuba dive, there is the option to go snorkelling with Cape Fur Seals.

There are a number of different operators but I went with Pisces Dive Centre. Really easy to book with them (I went for the morning session) and it costs 1100 ZAR (£50 GBP or $64 USD). They provide you with everything you need, including a 7mm wetsuit, boots and weight belt.

I had a stroke of luck in that the 11 person group that I was supposed to go with ended up cancelling last minute. As such, I was the only one on the boat for the trip!

The snorkelling spot is about a 20 minute boat ride from Simon's Town. You anchor up near a rock where the Cape Fur Seals tend to use as their base of sorts, suit up and jump in.

Be warned.....the water in South Africa (especially the Western Cape) is cold, but you'll be fine with the wetsuits that they supply.

We had 1-3 seals in the water at any one time and whilst they're not particularly inquisitive when you're on the surface, when you dive down they tend to take more notice. There's also a kelp forest which you can snorkel in - I had never done that before so was a good little bonus.

I had originally though that there were two dive spots but honestly, after a single dive, I was pretty cold so very glad that it was only a single dive site. Either way, 20 to 30 minutes back to the dive centre, a quick wrap for lunch and that's the trip done.

It's a half day all in and considering the price, definitely something worth doing if you're in Cape Town.

0:00 - Pisces Dive Centre
1:02 - Boat from Simon's Town
2:16 - Arriving at the dive site
3:42 - Swimming with Cape Fur Seals
6:43 - Kelp Forest
8:22 - Thoughts & Review