Seal Island is a small 2.8-hectare granite island rising from the turquoise waters of King George Sound, 3 km offshore from Frenchman Bay and 8.5 km south-east of Albany. This iconic spot is a favoured haul-out for New Zealand fur seals and Australian sea lions, whose curious antics delight snorkellers and divers alike. Sheltered from the Southern Ocean swell, the surrounding waters feature giant rock bommies, ledges, and small caves encrusted with southern black coral and gorgonian fans. The crystal-clear visibility and abundant seal encounters make this a uniquely memorable snorkel destination in Western Australia's Great Southern region.
Seal Island (King George Sound)
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.3 mSwell Period 12 sWind Speed 4.8 knPrecipitation 5.5 mmTidal Phase unknown
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Strong tidal currents
King George Sound experiences tidal flows that can be strong around the island, especially during outgoing tide.
Moderate risk: Strong ocean currents
King George Sound can experience strong tidal flows and swells around the island, requiring good swimming ability.
Moderate risk: Rough sea conditions
Swells can pick up quickly in the Southern Ocean; calm conditions recommended.
Low risk: Boat traffic
The island is accessed by boat or charter; vessels operate in the surrounding waters year-round.
Low risk: Cold water temperature
Southern Ocean waters make for chilly conditions even in summer; a wetsuit is recommended.
Low risk: Remote location
No facilities on the island itself — medical assistance is a boat ride away.
Low risk: Cold water temperatures
Southern Ocean waters can be very cold year-round, increasing the risk of hypothermia without adequate wetsuit protection.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
6 photos from the community
Getting in
Boat
Entry
Seal Island lies approximately 3 km offshore from Frenchman Bay, about 20 km south-east of Albany via Frenchman Bay Road (sealed). Access is by private boat launched from the Frenchman Bay boat ramp or via local charter operators such as Dive Albany and King George Sound Safari tours.
Parking & facilities
Free 2WD-accessible parking is available at the Frenchman Bay boat ramp area, which also has a car park suitable for vehicles with trailers.
parkingtoiletspicnic_tablesboat_ramp
No fee to visit the island itself. Boat launch from Frenchman Bay ramp may incur a small launching fee. Charter tours are priced per person (typically $100–$130 AUD).
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Gallery ┬╖ 6 photos
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports