Where can one dive with seals?

[Thanshin]

I think Hawaii is one place where one can dive with seals, right? Are there any other warm-water seal-infested waters?

 

[Thalassamania]

Hawaiian monk seals are protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and state law in Hawaii.

 

[Thanshin]

Hawaiian monk seals are protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and state law in Hawaii.

Does this mean one cannot take one of the seals home as pet? Or that one won't ever swim with one unless one goes dive in polar water that incidentally might get one some fantastic polar bear sightings right before a quick and bloody death.

 

[ae3753]

Not warm water, but plenty of seals in Northern California. This time of year, juveniles are very curious and playful.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/no...re-worried-about-harassment-harbor-seals.html

 

[muddiver]

There are a few dive charters in southern california that go to the local oil rigs and the seals like to hang out on the rigs and some times dive in if divers are near by.

 

[TSandM]

We had a wonderful dive off Lahaina on Maui, with a monk seal who gave every appearance of wanting to play with us. They're HUGE!

Not warm water, but if you come to Seattle in the wintertime, just about every night dive in our local mudhole has its seal entourage. They have learned that divers' lights are great hunting aids. They'll even body-slam you, if you are between them and the fish in question.

 

[Thalassamania]

There are a few dive charters in southern california that go to the local oil rigs and the seals like to hang out on the rigs and some times dive in if divers are near by.

Some may think it a fine point, but those are not seals, rather they are Sea Lions, very different animals, but I think the OP was looking for tropical waters where there are seals.