Watching seals on land is great, but getting up close and personal to them in their underwater habitat is something else.
These curious and playful marine mammals will love checking you out and hanging out with you under the surface. Swimming with fur seals is something you’ll never forget – it’s one of the most amazing experiences, and Kaikoura is a great place to do it.
I joined a group of eager seal swimmers, and after getting suited up in my wet suit, mask and snorkel, I was ready to take the plunge.
Just a quick drive up Kaikoura’s stunning coastline, then we wheeled the boat off the trailer and headed straight into the water off the beach. Fantastic! It wasn’t long before we’d found some furry friends basking in the sun on the rocks to play with.
Our guide decided this would be a good spot to jump in for a while, so in we went, and we were told to swim up slowly towards the rocks where the seals were hanging out.
Some seals were already in the water and headed over to check us out. It’s amazing how fast they can swim and it was very cool to see a whiskered face with big puzzled eyes staring at me under the water. Once I started swimming along, it was clear he just wanted to play and I stopped to see where he had gone. I popped my head up out of the water, and there he was with his fin poking up out of the water, having a rest. Then in a second he was gone, like a bullet through the water. So fast.
So off I swam, looking for another buddy to hang out with. The rest of the group had also been lucky finding some playmates to swim around with, and it was pretty clear the seals were not afraid of us, just inquisitive and keen to get a closer look. Well, we must have looked pretty funny to them with our fluorescent masks and snorkels!
Swimming with seals is definitely a must-do activity in New Zealand, and something which you’ll remember forever.
Seal Swim Kaikoura is New Zealand’s original seal swimming operation, and has been guiding travellers on their adventures for more than 20 years.
No experience is necessary, as the guides are with you at all times.
There are boat or shore-based seal swimming trips and snorkelling tours available.
