What to wear and bring for a seal swim

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes, and bring a towel and something warm for afterwards. Everything you need in the water, including the wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins, is supplied.

That really is the whole answer. The rest of this page is detail for people who like to be prepared.

What we supply

• A wetsuit. Sizes run from small children to XXXL.
• A mask and snorkel.
• Fins.
• A flotation aid, if you ask for one.

At the base you also have change rooms, warm showers and lockers.

What to bring

• A swimsuit. Put it on before you arrive. It goes under the wetsuit.
• A towel. One each.
• Something warm for afterwards. A fleece, hoodie or windbreaker. You feel the cold most once you are out of the water and in the wind.
• Dry clothes for the trip home.
• Sunscreen. Apply it before you arrive so it has time to soak in. A mineral, reef-safe one is kinder to the sea.
• Drinking water.
• A hair tie if you have long hair. Hair caught under the mask lets water in.
• Any medication you might need, such as an inhaler. Tell the crew about it.

What to leave behind

• Jewellery and watches that could slip off in the water.
• Valuables you don't need. Lockers are available, but less is simpler.
• Food for the seals. They are wild animals and must never be fed.

Glasses and contact lenses

Glasses won't fit under a snorkel mask. Many people snorkel in soft contact lenses without trouble. Keep your eyes closed if you need to clear water from the mask.

If you can't see well without glasses and don't wear contacts, contact us before you book and we will tell you honestly what to expect.

Cameras and phones

A small waterproof action camera is the best way to film your swim. Use a wrist strap or a float handle, because anything you drop here is gone.

Leave your phone in a locker unless it is in a proper waterproof housing. A splash-proof pouch is not enough for snorkelling.

Dressing for the season

The wetsuit does the work in the water, so the season mostly changes what you wear before and after.

• Summer, December to March: the sea usually averages 20°C to 22°C. Bring a hat and sunglasses for the walk to the boat and a light layer for afterwards.
• Autumn and spring: the sea is closer to 17°C to 20°C. Bring a proper warm top, and a beanie if you feel the cold.
• Late winter, August and September: the sea is at its coolest, around 16°C to 18°C, and the air is cool too. Pack a fleece and a windproof jacket.

There is no swimming in June and July. See the best time to swim with seals for the full year.

If you get seasick

The boat ride follows the coast and you spend part of the trip floating in swell. If you are prone to motion sickness, speak to a pharmacist beforehand and take any remedy in good time, as the packet directs.

Eat something light before the trip. An empty stomach doesn't help, and neither does a big breakfast.

If you are only watching

On seal viewing you stay on the boat, so dress for wind and spray:

• A windbreaker.
• A hat that won't blow off.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen.
• A camera, with a strap.

On the day

1. Arrive 30 minutes before your departure time. The office is in the Central Beach car park on Hopwood Street.
2. Complete the paperwork. An adult guardian signs the indemnity for anyone under 18.
3. Get fitted for your wetsuit, mask and fins, and put your things in a locker.
4. After the trip, take a warm shower, get changed and put that warm layer on.

The checklist

• Swimsuit, already on
• Towel
• Warm top or jacket
• Dry clothes
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Hair tie
• Action camera with a strap, if you have one

If you are bringing children, see swimming with seals with children. For anything else, the FAQ covers the common questions, and the swim with seals page has times and booking.