Swim with seals, frolic with dolphins at Montague Island off NSW far south coast

It's one of the only places in the world where you can observe whales, fur seals, little penguins and more than 90 bird species all in the one place.

One of the most memorable ways to observe these playful creatures is to join them in the water on a snorkelling or scuba diving tour.

Your guided tour is just a 20-minute boat ride from the Narooma jetty, with frolicking dolphins to welcome you along the way.

There are plenty of different tours to choose from, with some operators, including Montague Island Adventures, offering combined snorkelling and island tours.

Island Charters pairs seal snorkelling with a gourmet lunch on its Meal with a Seal cruise.

And with Narooma Charters, you can combine a fishing charter with scuba diving with seals.

Underwater Safaris specialises in marine-based tours, including snorkelling and scuba diving with seals, while Island Charters Narooma offers mainland-based snorkelling and diving tours.

You can also indulge in whale watching while out on the water, with peak whale season running from September to November.

The island is also for its fascinating maritime and Aboriginal history. It is crowned by a heritage-listed lighthouse that rises up over a lush landscape dotted with boulders.

Completed in 1881, it has remained largely unchanged ever since.

Immerse yourself in its history with an overnight stay in one of the island's two lovingly restored lighthouse keeper's cottages.

The head lighthouse keeper's cottage, with five bedrooms, or the three-bedroom assistant lighthouse keeper's cottage, both command superb ocean views.

Boat transport and a two-and-a-half-hour tour of the island are included in the tariff. Each cottage has a well-equipped kitchen and barbecue facilities.

While some parts of the island are off-limits to visitors for wildlife conservation and cultural reasons, stay overnight at one of the cottages and you're welcome to tackle the island's walking track, a steep, paved 1.5-kilometre circuit, or simply enjoy unwinding on the verandah of your cottage, watching humpback whales toss themselves out of the waves as fur seals doze on the

Narooma is about four hours' drive south of Sydney, or three hours from Canberra. You can also fly from Sydney to Moruya Airport and rent a car for the 45-minute drive south to Narooma.

The island is a 20-minute boat ride from Narooma's marina.

The island is only accessible via authorised commercial vessel tour operators.