Never has an early start been so worthwhile. Our morning with the all girl crew from Turquoise Safaris Sea Lion Tours started at 7.30am but the reward was the most fabulous wildlife experience because it would appear that sea lions are the happiest and most playful marine mammals on earth. Hubby and Amelia snorkelled with the sea lions while Braeden and I marvelled at their antics from the wheelchair accessible boat. For those planning a visit to Jurien Bay, a 2.5 hour drive from Perth, this is a must-do tour.
Turquoise Safaris Sea Lion Tours review
We had watched a travelling Youtube family we like do the swim with the sea lions at Jurien Bay and that had put a tour on Amelia’s radar for our visit to Western Australia. In fact, we were all keen. Checking out the various tour operators we noted Turquoise Safaris listed information about wheelchair accessibility which impressed us and led us to our morning with Sarah and her crew.
At first we planned to do the tour without Braeden’s wheelchair but we soon realised he wouldn’t be comfortable with the seating on the boat as his feet couldn’t reach the floor to stabilise himself. It was going to be too hard for him to stay sitting like that for the duration of the tour. As it turned out it was much easier for him to move around the boat in his wheelchair to see the sea lions as they swam around the boat so I’m glad we took it with us.
It’s only a short boat ride to the swimming spot and as soon as the sea lions saw the boat anchor many excitedly, and somewhat awkwardly, got into the water to swim out to us. Apparently this isn’t always the case and as with all natural wildlife experiences it’s an encounter of chance. Just as it should be.
The crew provided a safety briefing and instructions about keeping a distance from the sea lions, not touching them and the strict time limit in the water. It was clear that the tour was conducted in a respectful manner and with the sea lions best interests at heart. Two crew members accompanied the snorkellers into the water to ensure the safety of both the humans and the sea lions.
While we were all excited to see the sea lions it appeared they were nearly as happy to see us, diving, jumping and swimming towards the boat. I still can’t believe I captured a photo of the sea lion above almost walking on water.
Hubby and Amelia wriggled into wetsuits, slipped on their flippers and snorkels and dived right in. I wasn’t sure how much Braeden and I would get out of the tour as observers staying on the boat but it was incredible. We could see the sea lions leaping in and out of the water from a distance but then something special occured when several of the sea lions came alongside the boat in clear view.
The close proximity exceeded my expectations and I was on a wildlife high for the rest of the day.
Braeden’s wheelchair fitted through the boat’s entry point with ease. For reference, his wheelchair is 65cm wide.
Hubby needed to tip back his wheelchair slightly to get him onto the wharf. This no doubt varies according to the tide.
Ramp access from the wharf was easy and not too steep. Accessible parking is available at the jetty.
At the time we visited (November 2024) two tours were operating daily. When we asked which tour offered the best chance of see the sea lions at their most active we were advised the early morning tour. Obviously the sea lions are wild so there are no guarantees.
The tour’s duration is two hours with a maximum of 45 minutes in the water as per the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation regulations. Due to the time limitation in the water we recommend you don’t dilly dally, be ready to hop in the water as soon as the boat stops because the timer starts the minute the first person gets in the water.
A Tim Tam biscuit and a hot chocolate or cup of tea was welcomed to warm the snorkellers after their early morning swim. I’m always up for a cuppa so even as an observer I appreciated this touch.
Braeden was welcome to go into the water but after his concussion and with a cut above his eye it was suggested by the nurses at the hospital that he stay out of the water. I honestly think he was probably more comfortable as an observer. He would have needed to negotiate a few steps to get in and out of the water.
If you have a GoPro or other underwater camera make sure you take it as it is an amazing keepsake of the tour. If you don’t have your own underwater camera, you can hire a GoPro from Turquoise Safaris.
Read more about the tour on the Turquoise Safaris Sea Lion tours website and reach out to the friendly team if you have any access questions.
We stayed in an accessible two bedroom holiday unit at Jurien Bay Tourist Park which you can read about in this review.
