Have you ever imaged sharing the ocean with some of its most delightful, playful, and curious inhabitants? I certainly have, and my dream of swimming with Australian Sea Lions became a reality this year!

---

Picture it: long whiskers, a round belly, big seal-puppy eyes, flippers that make every movement look clumsy yet surprisingly graceful, and a curiosity to rival that of a cheeky staffy dog – what’s not to love about the Australian Sea Lion!? In fact, these true-blue Aussie characters are our only native seals and can be found along our gorgeous southern and western coastlines. So, when I moved to Western Australia, I knew I had to add an ocean encounter with these Aussie natives to my bucket list.

My most recent birthday seemed like the perfect opportunity to make this dream a reality. My twin sister came over to Western Australia for a “twin sisters only” weekend birthday celebration extravaganza – so we planned a whirlwind of festivities that included exploring Rottnest Island (hopeful we’d meet some Quokka friends along the way), and indulging in a decadent French-inspired dinner before living our Bohemian dreams of truth, beauty and love at the Moulin Rouge musical (fun fact: I was so excited for this musical I made my own Moulin Rouge inspired event invitations to give my sister ahead of our birthday weekend extravaganza!). It was whilst we were on our way to Rottnest Island that we impulsively bought two tickets to swim with Sea Lions for the following day – the same day we had booked tickers for the dinner and musical. Little did we realise how busy our weekend had just become!

We woke up at an unearthly hour, a little past 3:30am, to ensure we hit the road by 4am as we needed to reach Jurien Bay by 6:30am for our morning rendezvous with sea lions. My twin sister and I were giddy with excitement the entire drive up, singing loudly and most definitely off-key our favourite 80’s and 90’s tunes and reminiscing about all our adventures together. She’s not just my best friend; she’s my forever womb mate, and every chance I get to have a shared experience with her I jump at because I know it’ll become a cherished memory.

We arrived in Jurien Bay with mere minutes to spare, hopped on the waiting boat, suited up in our wetsuits, and spent the 10-minute ride to the island eagerly awaiting our soon-to-be sea lion friends. I’m not going to lie – I’ve had a lifelong fear of sharks. Growing up in a landlocked country town, every dip in the deep end of our backyard pool felt like a scene from JAWS was just moments away from happening. Thankfully, the tour guides reassured me that the likelihood of encountering a shark was slim, and even if we did, they’d spot it early enough to get us out of the water. So, I mustered up the courage, put on my flippers, and took the plunge!

Meeting the sea lions at Jurien Bay

We encountered a few young sea lions and possibly a mother swimming alongside them, while the males lounged on the beach, soaking in the sun and guarding their turf. We were given strict instructions to not venture beyond the reef wall below the water’s surface, for if the males sensed we were getting too close they’d gracefully (and probably angrily) enter the water to protect their kin. I didn’t want to intrude on the personal space of the sea lions, I simply wished to admire them from a respectful distance. One curious pup took an interest in me, swimming close, frolicking around the people in my vicinity. Then it happened – we locked eyes. Having worked at a zoo, I’ve had the privilege of interacting with various animals and the sensation of making eye contact with an animal that isn’t one of my two dogs is always extraordinary. It’s a feeling that I don’t have the words to describe – all I know is that in that moment the animal saw me and acknowledged my presence. I wondered what thoughts raced through its mind as our eyes met. Just as quickly as it happened, the sea lion dashed away into the distance to continue playing with its siblings. After nearly an hour in the water, our time with our new ocean dwelling friends had come to an end and we returned to the boat for our journey back to dry land.

While these encounters are incredible and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to live out a dream of mine, it’s important for us to acknowledge the sad reality these remarkable creatures face. The Australian Sea Lion is rare, with only around 6,500 left in the wild – making them an Endangered species. Commercial fishing practices and gill nets are some of the leading threats facing these animals, and according to WWF-Australia, about 350 Australian Sea Lions are caught as bycatch in South Australia every year during breeding season. Participating in these experiences not only serves as vital educational tools, helping to raise awareness about these critters, but also inspiring us to make small changes that can help protect them – ensuring their survival and the future of all our wildlife.

Want to plan your own Sea Lion adventure?

Who to book with:

There’s several operators in Western Australia that offer sea lion tours that are eco-friendly and certified, so pick the one that best suit your budget and schedule. We chose Turquoise Safaris for our adventure.

When to go:

The tours are available year-round, so it’s up to your schedule. I recommend the morning swim, as it’s a serene way to start your morning and, maybe it was just pure luck, but the sea lions were more playful.

---

Swimming with sea lions in Jurien Bay is not just a bucket list activity; it’s an adventure that will be forever etched in my memory. I have no doubt that in 50 years time I’ll look back on this adventure with the same wonderment, gratitude and awe I have today. So, if you’re contemplating a trip to Western Australia, be sure to include this extraordinary encounter in your plan!

Much love,
L. X

Psst. Follow me on social media!

• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

You might also like

Latest on the ‘Gram