Montague Island tours: Swimming with seals from Bermagui, NSW
It’s possible to go swimming with seals from Bermagui, NSW, on one of Sapphire Coastal Adventures’ Montague Island tours.
Montague Island is just off the coast of Narooma on the New South Wales South Coast. It’s a massively underrated wildlife hotspot, too.
Montague Island wildlife
Wildlife represented on or around Montague Island includes Australia fur seals, New Zealand fur seals and little penguins. There are also several sea bird nesting grounds, while the surrounding waters act as a breeding ground for grey nurse sharks.
Perhaps more importantly, Montague Island is one of the few places in Australia where tourists can go swimming with seals.
Montague Island tours from Bermagui, NSW
Sapphire Coastal Adventures launched Montague Island tours that include a swimming with seals experience in February 2022. Departing from Bermagui, about 20 minutes south of Narooma, these Montague Island tours take four hours.
Experienced guides stay with guests in the water, ensuring the safety of both humans and seals. More importantly, they’re concerned with the sustainability of the experience. They don’t want the seals scared off for future visits, or the reefs damaged.
Swimming with seals at Montague Island
Rules are therefore in place. There’s no touching the seals on these Montague Island tours. Participants must also keep feet off the reef.
If this makes it sound a bit too fussy, don’t worry – you can still have incredible, playful encounters with the seals in the water. They’re generally interested in the newcomers, and as long as they’re not overstimulated, will happily splash alongside snorkellers.
For more information on these swimming with seals tours from Bermagui, NSW, visit the Sapphire Coastal Adventures website.
Other things to do in Bermagui include Bermagui River kayaking tours.
Where to stay in Bermagui
The best Bermagui accommodation choices are:
- For dog-friendly accommodation with a prime harbourside location: Harbourview House.
- For a kid-friendly holiday park: Ingenia Holidays Ocean Lake.
- For a solid, affordable motel with free parking: Bermagui Motor Inn.
More New South Wales travel
Where is Delegate, NSW?
Go snorkelling at Blenheim Beach on Jervis Bay.
Say hi to the koalas at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary near Anna Bay.
Drive along the Newell Highway from Goondiwindi to Moree.
Take in the views from the Rock Lookout in Mulgoa.