A Place To Call Home.

It’s finally happened—we’ve moved into a new center, our new base! It’s such a relief to have a place to call home again. Let me take a moment to backtrack. As many of you will remember, we faced major challenges back in July when rabies was detected in Cape fur seals. This devastating news forced us to stop our main business, Seal Snorkeling tours. It was an incredibly traumatic time—both emotionally and financially. I felt like I was letting down an amazing team of staff who had worked with us for so long. I grappled with a sense of loss, self-doubt, and uncertainty about whether shutting down for safety reasons was the right decision. In hindsight, it absolutely was.

Selling the dive center and finding a new rental space was a monumental decision. Initially, I thought finding a suitable location would be straightforward—how wrong I was! For months, I walked the streets of Hout Bay, talked to everyone I could, posted in Facebook community groups, and approached building managers, all without success. Finally, I came across a small space at 41 Victoria Avenue that, with a little imagination, showed real promise.

The work on the space began. Though it felt awkward at first, I could see its potential. Our team has been absolutely incredible—painting, fencing, installing showers, cleaning, and making the space functional. Our landlord has also been supportive, even installing a large geyser for us so guests can enjoy a hot shower after their trip. Most importantly, we now have a safe and comfortable place for guests to arrive, store their belongings, relax, and prepare for their ocean safari.

One of the best things about our new location is its proximity to The Pelican, a charming coffee shop and restaurant. Guests can now arrive early, grab a coffee, suit up, head to the boat, and enjoy an unforgettable ocean safari. None of this would have been possible without our amazing team, who have worked tirelessly and always with a smile. Their love for the ocean is evident in everything they do.

A special thank-you to Lara, Danny, Sam, and Mon, who have stuck with us through every challenge—rabid seals, storms, mishaps, and moves. From preparing the house for sale to sorting equipment and rebuilding the new facility, your hard work has been nothing short of extraordinary. We now have two facilities—one for storing extra equipment and the other for welcoming guests at 41 Victoria Avenue.

This feels like a turning point and a real success. The logistics are in place, and people are already enjoying the new setup. I hope you enjoy the photos documenting this journey—the changes, the hard work, and all the effort that goes into creating seamless ocean experiences. Many people don’t realize just how complex it is to provide easy access to the ocean. Our goal is for guests to simply arrive, get ready, enjoy their experience, and leave happy. That’s what it’s all about.

This is an ongoing process of growth, adaptation, and improvement. Now, we’re focused on rebuilding and refining everything to create the best possible experiences for our guests. Thank you so much for reading and for supporting us during this time. With a lean budget, we’ve had to cut marketing and advertising costs, so we’re relying heavily on word-of-mouth and our reputation. Please help us by sharing our website and photos—it makes a world of difference. Thank you so much!

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