They call them ‘puppy dogs of the sea’ and it’s not hard to see why! No trip to Jurien Bay is complete without a visit to the adorable sea lions who call the bay home. You can even swim with these playful cuties for a unique and unforgettable wildlife experience.
When it’s time for a city getaway, most Perth locals head down south leaving Jurien Bay relatively unexplored. It’s an underrated gem and I’m on a mission to change this! Aside from the sea lions, there’s plenty to see and do in the area, like exciting water activities, great fishing and stunning national parks, making it a top destination for your next weekend getaway.
I recently got to meet the Jurien Bay sea lions, and I’m keen to share all my top tips with you. Read on for all the details on how to see and swim with these adorable animals.
Don’t have time to read the full article?
The Best Jurien Bay Sea Lion Tour is
Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience Sea Lion Interaction Tour
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Why Visit Jurien Bay?
Jurien Bay is a beautiful coastal town located 2.5 hours north of Perth in Western Australia. It’s situated on the Indian Ocean so it’s known for its stunning beaches with crisp white sand and clear turquoise water – paradise for nature lovers!
Unsurprisingly, its coastal location within the protected waters of the Jurien Bay Marine Park makes it a popular spot for water sports and recreation activities like fishing, swimming, kayaking and diving.
And of course, no trip to the area would be complete without visiting the famous Jurien Bay sea lions! Jurien Bay happens to be one of the only breeding areas for Australian Sea Lions on the west coast, so don’t miss your chance to get up close and personal with these adorable creatures while you’re in the area!
How To Get To Jurien Bay
Getting to Jurien Bay is easy – it’s located 220 km north of Perth and there are two main ways to get there:
- By Car: Take the easy 2.5hr drive along Indian Ocean Drive – it’s a spectacular drive with sweeping ocean and national park views
- By Coach: Departing from East Perth Station, the N1 or N5 service will take just over 3 hours and drop you off near the Jurien Bay Roadhouse. Visit the Transwa website to book your ticket
Top Tip!
Service stations are few and far between as you leave the outer northern Perth suburbs – make sure you fuel up!
What Kind of Sea Lions Will You See In Jurien Bay?
The islands off the coast of Jurien Bay are home to the Australian Sea Lion – one of the rarest sea lion species in the world. They’re the only sea lion species that are native to Australia and they can mainly be found in sheltered, isolated bays along the western and southern coasts of Australia.
Australian sea lions are often referred to as ‘puppy dogs of the sea’ due to their large puppy-like eyes, chocolate brown fur and adorable playful nature.
Unfortunately, the Australian Sea Lion is an endangered species. Sadly, it’s estimated that only around 6,500 remain worldwide due to them being hunted for their skin and oil in the 18th and 19th centuries and more recently impacted by the threat of commercial fishing.
Luckily, The WA Government has now established protected zones around sea lion breeding areas which will hopefully lead to an increase in population numbers.
How To Swim With The Jurien Bay Sea Lions
Jurien Bay is home to one of the main breeding grounds of the Australian Sea Lion. They can be found on several islands within the Jurien Bay Marine Park including Essex Rocks, Buller Island and North Fisherman Island (remember: it’s important not to land on islands occupied by sea lions). The sea lions can often be observed frolicking or relaxing in these spots but the best way to see them is by taking a Jurien Bay sea lion tour.
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Joining a tour will allow you to get up close and personal with these adorable creatures and knowledgeable tour guides will also be able to take you to the best spots to see them. But perhaps most excitingly, a few tour operators are now permitted to let guests swim with the sea lions!
Swimming with the playful sea lions is a thrilling and unforgettable experience! In early 2023 the WA Government announced it would begin a trial of licenced swimming with sea lion encounters. Through the trial, approved operators are permitted to let swimmers get closer to the sea lions than ever before! Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience is licensed to run the swimming with sea lions encounters.
Jurien Bay Sea Lion Tour
If you’re looking for the best sea lion tour you can’t go past Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience. Here’s everything you need to know.
Please note: my sea lion tour was a gifted experience but all words and opinions are my own.
Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience Sea Lion Interaction Tour
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (TripAdvisor) | Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
What guests are saying:
“An experience not to be missed. Fabulous experience swimming with sealions. Crew was really helpful with all abilities in the water, took some great photos and you can tell they really care about the conservation of these animals”
– Madeline C (TripAdvisor)
Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience offers Sea Lion Interaction Tours that are absolutely amazing! They’re a local family-run business who have a long connection with Jurien Bay and have been running sea lion tours since 1996. They’re passionate about wildlife conservation, caring for the ocean and educating the public on the importance of protecting the sea.
Sea lion tours run daily from 7:30 am and depart from Jurien Bay Boat Harbour. Conveniently, all equipment is provided – you just need to bring swimwear and a towel. There are also lifejackets and flotation devices available if needed. The boat is comfortable, with facilities including a toilet and hot shower.
They follow a strict crew-to-passenger ratio to ensure safety. There’s always a divemaster in the water with the group and they shoot incredible GoPro footage of your experience with the sea lions.
My Sea Lion Tour Experience
Just after sunrise, we arrived at Jurien Bay Boat Harbour. We made our way to the end of Breakwater Drive and followed the signs to meet our guides on the jetty. Our friendly Skipper, Pete, introduced himself, cracked a few jokes and we immediately felt that we were in good hands!
It was then time to get suited up! The staff helped us pick the correct size wetsuit to keep us warm – our tour was on an 11-degree winter morning! We felt like pros kitted up in our wetsuits.
Next, we met the rest of our fantastic crew, Fernando, Cooper and Sari – their passion for the Sea Lions and the ocean in general, was obvious. They were super welcoming and knowledgeable and I think they have the best job in the world!
Before we departed the crew discussed safety – things like the location of lifejackets and raft, how to safely interact with the sea lions, and safety in the water.
From there the tour set off! It’s a short but beautiful boat trip out to Essex Rocks, we were even lucky enough to spot dolphins on the way! When the boat stopped near the island, we caught our first exciting glimpse of the sea lions relaxing on shore! We saw two huge males making their way across the rocks with surprising speed.
It was then time to grab snorkel gear and fins and hit the water! A couple of our guides were always with us in the water which helped us feel comfortable as we got used to our equipment. The water isn’t too deep at around 1.5 – 2 metres and as it’s shallow it offers protection from sharks.
At first, the sea lions kept their distance, but it wasn’t long before our guides were signalling that some were approaching!
Catching a glimpse of the first sea lion coming over to check out our group was such an exciting experience! And from then they just kept coming. I was surprised how close they came – they had no fear! They playfully glided through our group, showing off!
The sea lions were so fast and graceful in moving through the water and they were extremely playful, cheeky and curious. Our guides told us the sea lions recognise them and will often playfully chase them around – cute!
We saw and swam with so many sea lions and finally, it was time to head back onboard. We were greeted with a Tim Tam, hot chocolate and a warm shower – exactly what we needed on a cold winter morning.
The Sea Lion Interaction Tour by Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience was unforgettable and a must-do experience, I will definitely be back to Jurien Bay to do it all again! They also offer Rock Lobster Catch and Keep tours, fishing charters and will soon be offering dive tours.
Jurien Bay Sea Lion Safety
While swimming with sea lions in Jurien Bay is generally safe, it’s important to keep both your safety and the well-being of the sea lions in mind.
Here are some safety tips to remember:
- Join a tour: tour providers are experts on the location, rules and regulations involved with sea lion protection
- Follow instructions: Always follow the instructions given by your tour guide, they’re experienced in running safe sea lion encounters
- Respect the sea lions: maintain your distance and don’t touch them
- Swim in groups: this adds an extra layer of safety and ensures better visibility for everyone
- Stay aware of surroundings: Keep an eye out for possible hazards in the area, such as rocks or other marine life
- Check weather Conditions: Pay attention to weather forecasts and sea conditions before your sea lion tour
- Don’t land on the islands: If you are in the area without a tour group don’t land your vessel on breeding ground areas
Best Time Of Year To See the Sea Lions
Sea Lion tours are not dependent on season and they run all year round so you’ll be able to spot them whenever you choose to go, just ensure you book to avoid disappointment.
Where To Stay in Jurien Bay
Looking for somewhere to stay on your trip? Jurien Bay offers a range of accommodation options to suit different preferences and budgets. Here are my top picks:
Jurien Bay Tourist Park
✅ Best for families and budget travellers
Jurien Bay Tourist Park is conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from Jurien Bay Jetty and Jurien Bay Beach. The comfortable and clean cottages come equipped with everything you need during your stay – air-conditioning, stovetop, fridge, toaster, kettle, microwave and a TV.
Jurien Bay Motel Apartments
✅ Excellent location
Jurien Bay Motel Apartments is located a short walk from the beach as well as the town centre. The self-contained apartments are spacious and offer a kitchenette and comfortable living area and private bathroom.
Last Words On The Jurien Bay Sea Lions
Swimming with the Jurien Bay sea lions is a unique and unforgettable outdoor experience and an absolute must-do if you’re in the area.
More Weekend Inspiration
After more weekend inspiration? If you’re in Jurien Bay, you absolutely have to go fishing! Check out my article on the best things to do in Jurien Bay for more inspiration and my guide to the best Jurien Bay restaurants for when you work up an appetite after a big day of exploring. Why not explore Cervantes if you’re in the area too, check out my Perth to Cervantes road trip guide or my guide to fishing in Cervantes.
If you’re looking for more wildlife experiences in Western Australia, why not check out the Hamelin Bay stingrays, go whale watching in Dunsborough or Snorkelling in Exmouth.
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