Bulls are back at Seal Rocks

Each summer, Seal Rocks comes alive as the big boys of the ocean return.

Mature male Australian Fur Seals, or bulls, have started arriving in force, weighing in at up to 360 kilograms, they are more than double the size of the average female Fur Seal. These powerful marine mammals only come ashore here during the breeding season, and their presence transforms the colony into a bustling, noisy hub of action.

After spending the past nine months feeding and bulking up in the waters of Bass Strait, the males are at peak strength. Their mission? To claim a stretch of rocky real estate and gather a harem of females, often ten or more. But it’s not an easy task. Competition is fierce, and the battles between rival bulls can be intense. Expect deep grunts, dramatic chases, and the occasional clash that ends in injury, or worse.

Once a male has secured his spot, he won’t leave it. In fact, he’ll fast throughout the entire breeding period, relying on stored energy and only venturing into rockpools to escape the summer heat.

By early December, most females will have given birth and are ready to mate again, kicking off a new cycle of life at Seal Rocks.

Hop on a Phillip Island Seal Cruise to witness this seasonal spectacle, it’s one of the most fascinating displays of nature along our coast.