Seal Island is an island located approximately 8.5 kilometres (5 mi) South East of Albany, Western Australia. The island is located approximately 3 kilometres (2 mi) off-shore from Frenchman Bay in King George Sound. The island is designated as a nature reserve (Reserve Number 32199) and has a total area of 2.8 hectares (7 acres).[1]
George Vancouver named Seal Island in 1791 along with Breaksea Island, Michaelmas Island and other features around King George Sound.[2] Matthew Flinders landed on Seal Island during the voyage of the Investigator in 1801, searching for items that were reportedly left by Vancouver[3] and leaving behind a bottle containing a parchment with details of their own arrival and departure. [4]
HMAS Perth was scuttled behind Seal Island in 2001 and is now one of Western Australia's premier dive sites.[5]
The island is composed entirely of granite and is only accessible at the western end.[6]