Happy Mother’s Day!

At Phillip Island, we’re lucky enough to witness one of the ocean’s most endearing family bonds—between the female Australian fur seal and her pup. So, this Mother’s Day, while we celebrate the amazing women in our lives, we also want to tip our captain’s hat to the hardworking seal mums who call Seal Rocks home.

Did you know that female Australian fur seals are some of the most devoted and resilient mothers in the animal kingdom? These mums give birth once a year—usually in late November or early December—and raise their pups for up to 11 months. After giving birth, a seal mum doesn’t get much of a break. Within a week she’s already able to mate again and can thus be pregnant for most of her life!

While her pup is small, mum is busy hunting for food, diving to find fish, squid, and octopus. But she never strays too far or too long—returning every few days to nurse her hungry pup with rich, fatty milk. It’s a delicate balance: keeping herself fed while ensuring her pup grows strong and healthy.

In between hunting trips, you will most likely find seal mums having a well-deserved rest on the rocks, with their pup close by.

More amazing facts about these superhero mums:

• Female seals, also known as cows, grow to 1.8m and can weigh up to 120kg.
• Seal mums can find their own pup in a crowd of thousands using just their unique call and scent.
• They can dive to 150m deep to find prey.
• They live up to 21 years.

Why not treat Mum to a special day on the water? Cruise Gift Vouchers available now, book one for an unforgettable cruise—complete with coastal views, abundant wildlife, and maybe even a cheeky seal wave from the rocks.