To sail out near Duiker Island, you will need to take a guided tour. As the island is so small, visits usually don’t take very long so are often bundled into broader sightseeing tours from Cape Town. These typically include visits to Boulders Beach to see the colony of African Penguins and to the Cape of Good Hope. Boat trips to Duiker Island leave from Mariner’s Wharf in Hout Bay.
Duiker Island is a must-see for nature and wildlife lovers.
Boat trips to the island may be canceled in the event of bad weather.
The sea can be choppy. If you suffer from seasickness, it is advisable to take something before heading out.
Visitors are not permitted to land on the island.
It takes around 30 minutes to drive from Cape Town’s city center to Mariner’s Wharf in Hout Bay, and from there, it’s a 20-minute sail to the island. If you are staying in Cape Town, rather than making your own way there, it is recommended to visit as part of a larger sightseeing tour that includes hotel pickup and drop-off.
Day tours typically leave Cape Town early in the morning in order to make the most of the day and fit in multiple activities. Tours typically only spend around an hour cruising around Duiker Island. The island is most densely populated with seals from January through March, when they are moulting and spend less time in the water.
Though often called “Seal Island,” Duiker Island should not be confused with another South African island, which is officially named Seal Island. The other island is off the northern beaches of False Bay, also close to Cape Town. Similarly, it gets its name from its large Cape fur seal colony.