Seal Bay is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island. Each day hundreds of people arrive to be taken on guided tours of the beach by park rangers, in order to see close-up the Australian sea lions which inhabit the beach and backing dune area. The bay is serviced by a gravel road, large car park, ranger station and elevated walkways to the beach and viewing areas. Swimming and fishing at the beach is prohibited in order to protect the sea lions. In addition it is an extremely hazardous beach. Seal Bay beach (KI-101) is 700m long, extending from a protruding eastern headland and platform; the latter cut in steeply dipping strata. The cliffs decrease in height from 40 to 20 m along the beach, and a small dune area lies between the beach and bluffs. Scattered reefs lie off the eastern half of the beach, increasing in density to the west (Fig. 5.19). The sea lions utilise the dunes and beach and use the surf for access. An elevated walkway crosses the dune to the beach. read more

Beach Length: 0.7km