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 Welcome to Seal Colony Cruises at Jervis Bay
NSW Australia
Dolphin, Whale Seal Watching Cruises, Tours & Private Charters Jervis
Bay NSW
It's Seal Season - (July - Nov) so don't miss the opportunity
to view theses magnificent creatures in the wild at The Jervis
Bay Seal Colony Home to 400 Seals
The Jervis
Bay Seal Colony is Australia's most northern fur seal colony and it is the only mainland colony.
The colony's haul area is a large sea cave at the base of the cliffs at Steamers Head about 4 miles south of the entrance to Jervis Bay and is only accessible by water.
Dolphin Explorer Cruises run the only dedicated cruises to view this unique colony and have been doing so for some 9 years.
A little over 11 years ago a handful of Australian and New Zealand fur seals established a small colony on the cliff faces of Cape St George (Steamers Head).
Since that time the colony has grown to a present day population of some 400 seals.
The steamers head colony is unique in Australia for a number of reasons; it is Australia's newest colony, it is Australia's most northern fur seal colony and it is the only mainland colony.
Jervis Bay Seal Watching Cruises South Coast NSW
Although there are a small number of seals at the colony all year round the majority migrate south to the islands in and around Bass Strait during the warmer months. The peak time for the seals in Jervis Bay is from July to the end of November with our dedicated cruises running in August and November.
Visit Jervis Bay Seal Colony
with Jervis Bays most experienced skippers & crew.
The seal colony cruise also takes in some of the spectacular cliff faces and sea caves along the coastline beyond Jervis Bay. Cape St George is the highest cape on the East Coast. Some of the oceanic species of dolphins are often sighted and many sea birds such as Australasian Gannets and Albatross are common.
Our Seal Colony Cruises depart 9am daily in August and November.
 Seal Facts
The Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) is the world's fourth rarest seal species. Hunted to the brink of extinction last century, population recovery has been slow, and seals are now wholly protected.
The Australian fur seal is found from the coast of NSW, down around Tasmania to Victoria and South Australia. It breeds on small isolated rocks in Bass Strait between October and January
It isn't always easy to tell the sexes apart, although the adult males are much bigger animals than adult females, with large heads and heavily-muscled necks and chests. Adult females average 125-170 cm in length and weigh between 50-120 kg.
Cows are slender, silvery-grey on the back, with a creamy-yellow throat and chest, and a chocolate brown belly. Newborn pups are almost black on the back and grey/light-brown on the belly, moulting after three months.
Adult male seals can grow to 200-225 cm and weigh 220 kg to 360 kg. Bulls are usually dark grey/brown, with a mane of coarse hair on neck and shoulders. Young seals of both sexes have grey-brown backs and yellowish belly fur. The dense coat is made of woolly underfur and long, coarse outer hairs to trap air which waterproofs and insulates the seal. Like all seals, they moult each year, replacing their old fur with new growth. A layer of fat assists with warmth and streamlining.
The Australian fur seal eats mainly fish and cephalopods (squid, octopus and cuttlefish).
Females give birth to a single pup which is fed on thick, rich milk. Pups are born in November-December, and usually weaned 10 to 11 months later, although some cows may suckle a pup for up to four years. Once a cow gives birth for the first time, she is practically in a continuous state of pregnancy/lactation for the rest of her life, with maybe only a few weeks off between weaning last season's pup and having another.
Australian fur seals breed on nine rocky Bass Strait islands, but because seals only come ashore to rest and breed, it is impossible to know exactly how many there are. Based on counts at the breeding colonies each year, scientists estimate there are about 5,000 pups born in Tasmanian waters each year. However, not all pups will survive to become adults. Pup mortality for most fur seal species is between 3 to 30%, however, storm induced mortality can be as high as 70% for this species. This natural mortality continues throughout the life of the seal, but at a lower level than that of the pups. Seal mortality also occurs as a result of human activities such as deliberate persecution through shooting, fisheries bycatch and entanglement in plastic, non-biodegradable materials.
 Why
choose Dolphin Explorer Cruises?
Your friendly skippers and crew have over 30 years experience
cruising the Bay. Locally owned and operated. Purpose built 17m
Luxury Catamaran with 3 unobstructed viewing decks and superior
stability for your comfort. Uncrowded cruising ensures quality
viewing. Jervis Bays original and leading Seal Colpny
cruise company.
Our
Vessel
MV Explorer is a 17m ocean going fast catamaran. She is Jervis
Bays newest and most innovative cruise vessel and is specifically
designed and purpose built for dolphin and whale watching. Her
unique design features provide passengers with uncrowded and unobstructed
quality viewing in absolute comfort. Her low profile ensures superior
stability and ride.
Your Crew
The skippers and crew at Dolphin Explorer Cruises are all
qualified Masters and by far the most experienced in Jervis
Bay. Combined we have over 35 years experience and knowledge
cruising these waters. When it comes down to getting the most
from your cruise experience counts. We are owner operators an
have a vested interest in ensuring you satisfaction and enjoyment.
Huskisson Hyams Beach Vincentia Jervis Bay
Make a day of your Jervis Bay Marine Park experience,
discover the wonders of the bay, watching dolphins, whales and
seals in the wild on Dolphin Explorer Cruise, then enjoy the many
other attractions around the bay, including a variety of Alfresco
cafe's and restaurants.
Visit the famous or The Huskisson RSL and enjoy the view over looking
the bay and Huskisson wharf area.
Jervis Bay is a Mecca for SCUBA divers all year round,
there is a range of great dive spot divers around Jervis Bay The
bays premium Dive Shop is open 7 days for your diving requirements.
Jervis Bay has something for every diver … reefs, drop-offs, caves,
crevices, archways and gutters. the average depth of our dive
sites is 20 metres; most are multi-level with rocky-reef topography.
some sites have excellent walls, swim-throughs and bubble caves
and can drop off to 50 metres.
Holiday Accommodation Packages Jervis Bay NSW
The Shoalhaven-Jervis Bay region has a number
of other tourist attractions and accommodation which complement
our cruise operation and can be included in day trip or overnight
tour packages. These packages can be tailored to your special
requirements.
 There are
many small villages nestled around the shores of Jervis Bay; Huskisson,
Callala Bay, Callala Beach, Myola, Vincentia and Hyams Beach.
All offering their own unique activities, attractions and accommodation.
For more details on Activities & Accommodation at Jervis Bay see
our
Jervis Bay Whales and Seals
Whale Explorer Cruise provides a number of cruise
options, which depart daily from Huskisson Wharf. On board luncheons
are available on request to group bookings or as an option, we
have a working relationship with the Huskisson RSL where we can
arrange lunch overlooking Jervis Bay and Currumbene Creek. The
RSL is adjacent to the Huskisson wharf facility, the departure
point for our cruises.
As Jervis Bays original whale watching company
our knowledge and understanding of the whales migration ensures
you get the most from your whale watching experience.
For passenger comfort and ability to spot these magnificent creatures
we only whale watch cruise when conditions are suitable.
The many years of whale watching experience has taught us the
best times, places and conditions to sight the whales inside and
out side Jervis Bay Marine Park, hence our high sighting rate.
Our whale-sighting success
rate for 2005 season was the most succesful at Jervis Bay 97%,
as we cruise only when our experience leads us to believe whales
will be sighted.
This year we have extended the whale watching
to a 3.5 hour cruise so you can spend more time with the whales
"Free return cruise if no Whales sighted"
In addition we offer cruises to Australia’s
only mainland fur seal colony where Little Fairy Penguins
are often sighted during cruises.
Other Cruise Options
CRUISE SCHEDULE
- WHALE WATCHING SEASON
June to November
| Whale Watching
Cruise 3.5 Hours |
Daily 9.00am |
| Dolphin Explorer
Cruise 2.5 Hours |
Daily 12.30pm |
| Seal Colony
Visit 3.0 Hours |
9.00am |
CRUISE SCHEDULE
- SUMMER SEASON
November to June
| Dolphin Explorer
Cruise 2.5 Hours |
Daily 12.30
pm |
| Dolphin Cruise
2.0 Hours |
Holidays
and Weekends - 10.00am |
| Twilight
Cruise 3.0 Hours |
6.00pm October
to May |
For More Information Freecall - 1800 444 330
Fully Licensed Bar
*** Please Note ***
** Free return cruise conditions apply please see notice at booking
office.
Children 4 - 14 years - Children Under 4 years free.
A Family is 2 Adults and 2 Children
ALL CRUISES ARE SUBJECT TO WEATHER CONDITIONS AND NUMBERS
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