Seals and sea lions abroad and while traveling: are they dangerous, where do you encounter them, where can you see them?

What are seals?

A seal is a marine mammal that belongs to the carnivores. Seals have fin-like forelimbs with which they propel themselves in the water, somewhat less flexible hind legs, a soft coat and an excellent ability to dive. Seals do not have protruding auricles (they do have ears...).
There are different types of seals that vary in size and color. Most species have a somewhat spotted coat.
Seals usually eat fish, shellfish and other marine animals.
Seals are often found in somewhat colder water, but they can also survive well in warmer temperatures.
Seals are also called sea seals
Elephant seals, leopard seals and the hooded seal are also species within the seal family.

A sea lion is also a marine mammal that belongs to the carnivores. Sea lions are somewhat larger, slimmer, faster, noisier and somewhat more aggressive than seals. Sea lions also have external ears. The sea lion is a social animal that often lives in large colonies.
Sea lions, together with the fur seals, form the group of eared seals.
Sea lions and fur seals live in the United States, the South American coast, Australia, New Zealand, North-East Asia and the waters around Antarctica.

Argentina: large colonies of sea lions can be seen in Patagonia.
Australia: swimming and snorkeling with the sea lions at, for example, Hamelin Bay or Ningaloo Reef. (Western Australia)
Greenland and Spitsbergen: walruses, hooded seals and seals
Ecuador: on the Galapagos Islands you will find the fur seal that you can see up close
Mexico: in Baja California you can swim with sea lions
New Zealand: sea lions at Kaikoura on the South Island
Namibia: ...beaches full of sea lions
Spain: on the Canary Islands La Graciosa and El Hierro you can see sea lions well
United States: along the Californian coast
South Africa: the coastal strip near Cape Town
In the Netherlands and Belgium you can mainly encounter the common seal and the gray seal on the beach

In general, seals are not dangerous to people, and rather shy and very calm. While surfing you can sometimes come across a sudden, curious seal, but it will quickly disappear when you try to approach it.
If they feel threatened and you are close by, they can bite viciously. There are also known cases of seals and sea lions pulling people and dogs into the water. This is often due to confusion because people feed the animals.
Sick and injured seals can also react unpredictably.

A sea lion is generally not dangerous to people.
In places where sea lions are often fed by tourists or local fishermen, they can sometimes become a bit pushy.
If a sea lion is threatened, or if you enter their territory, you should be careful. Sea lions are quite large and powerful, with their length of 2 to 3 meters.
They can behave aggressively if they feel unsafe or if they want to protect their young.

The best thing, as with all other animals, is to keep your distance (20-30m) and not to interact.
Never approach the animals yourself. You can wait and see if they come to you (but don't feed them!). Enjoy the moment and relax, stay calm and move slowly so you don't scare them away.
You sometimes see videos of people swimming with seals. It looks fun, but they can suddenly bite and then you have a big wound.
If you have a dog with you, make sure it is on a leash. That is better for the dog and for the seal or sea lion.
Make sure the escape route for the animal (the open sea) is always clear. Never surround an animal.

Try not to get pulled under and get out of the water if you can, that's what seals are good at and where it gets really dangerous.
If you get pulled in, try kicking them on the head. Hopefully they'll let go. Or call your friends to hold on.

There are several diseases that you can get from the saliva, feces or a bite from seals and sea lions:
Toxoplasmosis
Tuberculosis.
Brucella
Q fever - Rare, but possible by inhaling contaminated dust from feces.
Spekkfinger - an infection that can occur after a bite or scratch.

There are several organizations around the world that focus on sea lions and seals. They are often research organizations or non-profits that take in injured or sick animals. Sometimes they are also temporary projects that you can contribute to.
So you can do an internship or volunteer work in the research corner, animal care or nature conservation projects.

Most sanctuaries avoid human contact to keep the animals wild. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will have direct contact with the animals, unless they are babies that need to be fed or you have been specifically trained for this.
Follow the instructions and safety training protocols.
Avoid unnecessary actions.