It was late, and the kids wouldn’t settle in bed. They were over-tired after spending the day playing in the water at Lincoln National Park. My husband, Jarrad, picked up the phone as it sounded a message. He read out,
“You are booked in to swim with the sea lions tomorrow morning. Meet at the boat at 8am.”
I choked on my cup of tea and spluttered, “EIGHT! We have to be up and dressed and ready AND somewhere by EIGHT?”
We made it just on the dot of eight. There was only one other passenger on the boat as we pulled out of Port Lincoln, heading for the wilderness reserve of Hopkins Island that was 90 minutes away.
We were warned that we would have to stay on the boat or in the water, not on the island itself. There were three reasons … firstly it’s a wilderness reserve so it’s forbidden, secondly the sea lions are playful in the water but aggressive on land, but thirdly and most importantly due to it’s isolation a sub-species of tiger snakes have evolved there that is bigger and more aggressive than normal ones. That one had me convinced that I’d be happy to stay in the water.
“The water’s a lot calmer today,” I said to the lady working on the boat, who’d also been on the swim with the tuna tour. Jarrad was chatting to the skipper at the helm of the boat when a wave caught the front of the boat. My cup of tea splashed everywhere … Jarrad’s head hit the roof, then he was horizontal on the floor. The kids laughed uncontrollably at seeing their father on the floor. A glare silenced them.
Jarrad complained, “I really need to go to the toilet, but I won’t be able to stand up, and I don’t want to sit down because that’s what girls do.” I was glad I skipped breakfast because whatever was in my stomach now was about to come up.
We saw Hopkins Island and the sea lions in front of us just as I thought my stomach couldn’t have lasted much longer. First we noticed a dark shape swimming next to the boat. Then it jumped up out of the water, then quickly disappeared back under the water and out of sight. Another swam alongside the first.
We noticed the sea lions sitting on the beach. There were quite a lot of them, sitting in groups and sunbaking. “They often come down in to the water to play with the people if they notice us,” the skipper told us.
We were grateful for the wetsuits as we slipped into the cold water. As the stronger swimmer, Jarrad swam with Edmund till I could comfortably stand and took him. Lucy stayed with Edmund and I sometimes to feel the comfort of being able to stand, and other times our little six year old went back to her dad.
I played with Edmund in the water, and he was delighted every time another wave hit him. The sea lions on the beach saw us in the shallows of the water and came passed us to play with the others in the deeper water. Edmund thought it was fantastic as the sea lions neared him.
I’m not sure who was more excited though … Edmund with his toddler-ish joy at just seeing the animals so close to him … or Peter, Susan and Lucy swimming and playing with the beautiful, graceful animals.
The sea lions flipped and looped under water, watching each person and swimming around them. They really did live up to their reputation of being the puppy dogs of the sea.
“We were all swimming around in the water searching out for the sea lions. I had quite a few come and circle around, but they seemed to go after a little bit. Probably because I couldn’t copy them and flip and summersault in the water, and because I had to have my head above a lot of the time. Dad had his head down almost all the time, and he had many more around him.”
Peter, aged 10
Peter played in the water with all the energy and enthusiasm of a ten-year-old boy. Momentarily puffed, he swam back to the boat to sit on the platform for a rest. He felt a tug on his flippers as he dangled his feet in the water. Looking down, he saw a sea lion nibbling and tugging on it.
On the way back, the kids were all warming up drinking the hot chocolate that had been provided, nine-year-old Susan reflected, “I don’t know why sea lions are called sea lions. They don’t look much like lions, and they aren’t fierce as a lion, either.”
Even better was that the boat followed close to the coats of Lincoln National Park on the way back so we go to see some amazing coast from the water.
As we were walking from the boat to the car, Lucy exclaimed, “Look! A sea lion followed us back!”
Sure enough, there was one lone sea lion swimming around the anchored boats. Maybe the sea lions enjoyed enjoyed the morning as much as the kids.
Thank you to Red Balloon for supporting us.
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About Amy and Jarrad
Love those photos! Looks like you had an amazing time – I’d love to do something like that.
Twitter: livinontheroad
says:
It was incredible. I’d really recommend it!
That first sea lion photo is priceless.
Twitter: livinontheroad
says:
It was great timing to get that shot! :)
long and funny mum.:) but do not worry. but do remember i found the sea lions!:o are you bye peter:D
Twitter: livinontheroad
says:
No, I am not surprized darling. I remember that you were the first to see the sea lions. I also remember you having a good time.
Love you darling
(Get back to writing your blog post)
Twitter: scasesandscups
says:
That looks so fantastic!
Twitter: livinontheroad
says:
The kids are still talking about it
Twitter: newlifeonroad
says:
That sure looks amazing – were you guys worried about being that close to the sea lions? I love how you got to be part of their environment and swim with nature. Gosh kids dont get this sitting in class rooms
Thank you for sharing your boat ride, how hubby fell over, and how you were glad you didnt have breakfast before going on the boat!
Cheers
Lisa
Twitter: livinontheroad
says:
We didn’t even think about being scared – though we were told that they could be aggressive on land, but just playful in the water.
The kids retain it so much better because it’s in context. I wonder how much they’d retain of this if it was in a book instead?
Glad you enjoyed the story about the boat trip … it was such a large part of the day. I don’t think we’ll change Livin On The Road to Livin On The Water ever.
Kind regards,
Amy
That looks so cool!
Adventures With Ben recently posted..Skydiving Sunshine Coast
Twitter: livinontheroad
says:
It’s fantastic! Highly recommended!
Twitter: GoneWithFamily
says:
What an amazing experience! My husband and daughter went swimming with sea lions at a marine facility in St. Thomas and had a great time but this looks so much better with the sea lions in their natural habitat.
Lisa recently posted..Playing in Fountains
Twitter: livinontheroad
says:
It’s such a special opportunity to be in the water with such beautiful animals. Your daughter and husband must have had a great time, too.
WOW!! how cool is that?! what a GREAT day – and photos!!
Twitter: livinontheroad
says:
It really was! Glad you enjoyed the photos!
Uh-oh…I think I have something new to add to my bucket list! Looks like a wonderful experience to share with your children. :D
Twitter: livinontheroad
says:
Uh-oh…I think I have something new to add to my bucket list! Looks like a wonderful experience to share with your children.
I’m not sure I can think of anything to say other than “Wow that looks freakin amazing”. I remember being in NZ in a small boat watching sea lions swim when I was a teen but to swim with them … what a wonderful experience for your children.
Tracy recently posted..Holiday Fun at Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Florida
Twitter: livinontheroad
says:
Definitely is I’m shuddering at the thought of a small boat though … the 50 foot boat we went on was hard enough!
Cute animal pictures – can’t beat ‘em!
Twitter: livinontheroad
says:
Definitely! Getting in to the water with them cured me of the pain of getting up that early!
Twitter: livinontheroad
says:
Thank you!
Truly an experience worth losing sleep over!
That really does look like a fantastic experience. I can see why the kids loved it — I would too! The sea lions look absolutely adorable.
Twitter: livinontheroad
says:
We loved it too! They look just as adorable up close.
Hi,
I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. http://queensincanada.wordpress.com/
All the best, Jackie queen
Twitter: livinontheroad
says:
Thanks Jackie, good luck to you, too.
Hey
These photos are just amazing. You must have enjoyed it thoroughly..
Twitter: livinontheroad
says:
Thanks Richa, it definitely stands out as one of our most amazing experiences.