Text by Amanda Vegder -
Today was a spectacular day out on Animal Ocean with Steve and a group of excited snorkelers. After meeting by the boat launch in Hout Bay with the group of six, which included three adults and three 11-year-old boys who had limited snorkeling experience, Steve and I assigned wetsuits, boots and fins to the group and proceeded to pack up the boat. Thankfully Steve had a cooler filled with treats and hot drinks for a post-dive warming session, as it turned out to be a slightly chilly day. Luckily the seals were still happily playing near their rocky home, so the clients on board were thrilled. After an hour or so of cruising around the coastline to check out the sights, we anchored near the rocks and got the kids suited up for the dive.
The team ready to jump in
Although all three of them had an initial shock upon entering the cold water, they quickly recovered and decided a swim with the seals was definitely worth it. Steve eased each boy into getting comfortable with his snorkel and the swim, and took each individual out to the seals for a turn. When the boys returned to the boat, they seemed incredibly excited and very curious about the seals’ behavior.
Cape Fur Seal by Evert Nel
They all mentioned how much they loved their big eyes and how close they came to touching them. The adults in the group seemed equally excited about the experience, and were a great help in assisting the boys while they snorkeled. After enjoying chocolate muffins and warm water poured into their wetsuits on the boat (thanks to Steve- definitely a highlight of the trip), everyone was happy to return to the nearby shore to change into dry clothing.
Thumbs up for the seals :)
Steve and I were lucky enough to be invited to lunch with the clients at a nearby restaurant called The Lookout Deck. After a mug of hot chocolate, a delicious plate of lobster (or crayfish as they call it here in Cape Town), and another beautiful day in Hout Bay, all was well with the world.
