What is Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island?
Seal Bay is a conservation park on the south coast of Kangaroo Island, South Australia, home to one of the largest colonies of endangered Australian sea lions.
Australian sea lions are found only in South Australia and Western Australia, and they are listed as endangered. The Seal Bay colony includes hundreds of animals, giving scientists an important place to study their breeding and health.
Unlike most seals, Australian sea lions breed on an unusual cycle of about 18 months, and pups can be born at any time of year. Mothers leave pups on the beach while they feed at sea for several days.
Visiting Seal Bay
Visitors can walk along a boardwalk through the dunes to viewing platforms. Guided tours with rangers take small groups onto the beach itself, where sea lions rest just metres away.
Rangers explain sea lion behaviour, threats from fishing nets and marine debris, and the conservation work being done. Visitors must stay with the guide and keep a safe distance.
The park is one of Kangaroo Island's most popular attractions, and the colony has been protected for decades.
Did You Know?
Australian sea lions can dive to around 150 metres while hunting fish, squid and octopus.