I see sea lions almost every time out. If you are in a kayak, they are not dangerous. However, they are territorial at times. When you approach their females and young, a male will usually let you know you should leave. It is impossible to not get the message, they know how to dissuade intruders. If you stop approaching, there is never any problem. If you ignore the warning or otherwise bug them, you are asking for a fight you will lose, and you are breaking federal law. Lots of people here in the NW want to kill sea lions, usually on account of the salmon they eat. I say they are entitled to their share of the salmon. We can live with them, they enrich our lives.