Cape Fur Seal
Arctocephalus pusillus
Playful marine acrobats of the Cape coastline — colonies of thousands along the Atlantic shore
Habitat
Rocky coastlines, offshore islands, and kelp forests along the southern African coast from Angola to the Eastern Cape
Diet
Fish (pilchards, anchovies, mackerel), squid, crustaceans, and occasionally seabirds
Lifespan
20–25 years
Weight
Males: 200–350 kg, Females: 40–80 kg
About the Cape Fur Seal
The Cape fur seal is the largest of the fur seals and a charismatic icon of the South African coastline. Colonies of up to 60,000 individuals gather at sites like Duiker Island in Hout Bay and Seal Island in False Bay. These powerful swimmers can dive to 200 metres and hold their breath for over 7 minutes while hunting fish, squid, and crustaceans. Males can weigh up to 350 kg and are fiercely territorial during breeding season. Watching a colony of Cape fur seals from a boat — with pups play-fighting in kelp forests and adults surfing waves — is one of Cape Town's most joyful wildlife experiences.
Habitat & Diet
Habitat
Rocky coastlines, offshore islands, and kelp forests along the southern African coast from Angola to the Eastern Cape
Diet
Fish (pilchards, anchovies, mackerel), squid, crustaceans, and occasionally seabirds
Lifespan
20–25 years
Weight
Males: 200–350 kg, Females: 40–80 kg
Best Viewing Locations
- Hout Bay (Duiker Island)
- False Bay (Seal Island)
- Cape Point
Fascinating Facts About Cape Fur Seal
Cape fur seals can swim at speeds of up to 17 km/h
They have external ear flaps unlike true seals — hence "eared seal"
Pups can swim within hours of birth but stay on land for the first few weeks
Their dense underfur traps air for insulation — giving them their "fur seal" name
A single colony at Cape Cross in Namibia can exceed 100,000 individuals
Safari Packages to See Cape Fur Seal
Multi-day, all-inclusive safari packages that include the best cape fur seal viewing destinations.
Masai Mara & Seychelles Paradise — Safari Meets Island Luxury
Masai Mara, Nairobi
From $8,700
Iconic Southern Africa Grand Tour — Cape Town to Chobe
Cape Town, Garden Route
From $11,990
Romantic Southern Africa Honeymoon — Bush, Beach & Wine
Cape Town, Franschhoek
From $7,490
Cape Town & Sabi Sands Luxury Honeymoon — Wine, City & Big Five
Cape Town, Franschhoek
From $4,997
Ready to See Cape Fur Seal in the Wild?
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Plan Your Cape Fur Seal Safari
Safari Experiences
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Safari Lodges
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Destinations
Kruger, Sabi Sands, Masai Mara & beyond
Best Time to Visit
Plan your trip around peak wildlife seasons
Safari Costs
Honest pricing guide for every budget
Conservation
How your safari protects African wildlife
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