Pinniped
Australian sea lion
Neophoca cinerea
IUCN status: EndangeredWidely sought
Australia’s only endemic pinniped. Breeding colonies occur around South Australian offshore islands, but water encounters must remain animal-led.
- Max size
- Males up to about 2.5m
- Habitat
- Coastal islands and sheltered beaches of southern and western Australia
Best places to dive with Australian sea lion
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak season
Port Lincoln & Neptune Islands
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Seasonality is coded conservatively.
Fleurieu Peninsula
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | rare |
| February | rare |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | rare |
| June | rare |
| July | rare |
| August | rare |
| September | rare |
| October | rare |
| November | rare |
| December | rare |
Possible year-round; no unsupported peak is applied.
Sources & last checked
Checked September 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 1 source and checking notes
- White shark tourism at Neptune Islands report 2024, South Australia Department for Environment and Water