Spotting Seals On The British Coast

Over recent years eco-tourism is becoming more and more popular all around the world, benefiting both local wildlife and people that live in the area. However, you don't need to travel thousands of miles to another country to really take advantage of seeing animals in their natural habitats as there are numerous ventures in the UK alone.

Although most of our large mammals have all but disappeared throughout the British Isles, there are still some that can be spotted in large numbers along the coasts co-inhabiting remote beaches with birds and other wildlife. There are only two species of Seal that are native to British waters which are the Grey Seal and the rarer Common Seal.

Both species are spotted with different shades of grey but are most easily distinguished by their differing muzzles with Grey Seals having a long more dog-like nose and Common Seals looking more cat-like in appearance. There are an estimated 36,000 Common Seals in UK waters and they are also home to what is believed to be half of the entire Grey Seal population.

Although around 75% of the UK's Grey Seals are found living off the Scottish coast, there are also large populations elsewhere, most notably around Blakeney Point on the north coast of Norfolk where both Grey Seals and Common Seals can be found inhabiting the beaches and sand-dunes together (along with numerous species of bird).

An hour boat trip takes you out through some of the most beautiful, marshy harbours in the country and right to the tip of Blakeney point which is a 3.5 mile long sandy strip that has become an uninterrupted paradise for all kinds of wildlife. Seal trips can be organised easily through local hotels and pubs and are well-worth wrapping up warm for as you won't be disappointed.