Meet the site
Montague Island (Barunguba) lies about 9 km off Narooma and is home to the largest fur seal colony in NSW. Australian and New Zealand fur seals haul out on the rocks at the northern end, and Narooma Charters reports up to 1,800 seals in the cooler months and 200–500 in summer. A ScubaBoard report notes that the colony consists largely of adult males, so there are few pups. The Marine Life Network lists the Seal Colony on the north-east side at around 10 m, with as many as 500 seals at peak times, and McFadyen describes diving in Pebbly Bay, where you do not need to go deeper than 9 m.
The dive is about the seals. They are clumsy on land but fast and acrobatic underwater, spiralling around divers, blowing bubbles and nibbling fins. McFadyen suggests sitting on the bottom and watching, or doing barrel rolls to catch their attention; young seals will come within centimetres. The bottom is boulders and kelp with the usual reef fish – blue groper, sweep, yellowtail, leatherjackets – but most divers barely notice them.
The seal dive suits divers of all levels, including Open Water divers and snorkellers. Seals are wild animals: do not touch or feed them, give way when they approach, and avoid getting between a seal and its escape route. September and October are traditionally the best months, although seals are present year-round. The trip across the Narooma bar and 25 minutes of open sea can be rough, so seasickness tablets are worth taking. Most trips combine a seal dive with a reef or grey nurse dive elsewhere around the island.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Montague Island Seal Colony is recorded as Island in Narooma & Montague Island. The listed access is boat (day trip). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Montague Island Seal Colony suitable for my certification?
The record lists Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Montague Island Seal Colony through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Australian fur seals, New Zealand fur seals, blue groper, sweep, yellowtail, leatherjackets, kelp; dolphins and humpback whales (Jun–Nov) on the crossing
Location
Shallow boulder bays on the northern and north-eastern side of Montague (Barunguba) Island, 9 km off Narooma, where hundreds of Australian and New Zealand fur seals haul out; dives at 3–15 m.
Facilities nearby
Narooma town wharf and marina; air fills and hire through Narooma operators.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
michaelmcfadyenscuba.infomarinelife.org.auunderwatersafaris.com.aunaroomacharters.com.auscubaboard.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.