Norfolk Seal Watching: The Complete Guide

Norfolk’s coastline is home to England’s most accessible seal colonies, with grey and common seals visible from beaches and boat trips across the county. From the famous colony at Blakeney Point to the remote beauty of Horsey Beach, Norfolk offers seal watching that’s genuinely world-class yet surprisingly accessible. Whether you’re spotting seals from the shore, watching pups being born in winter, or taking boat trips to get closer, Norfolk delivers a wildlife experience that’s both authentic and unforgettable.

Norfolk’s Two Seal Species

Grey Seals

When: Present year-round, but most visible in winter (November-January) when females come ashore to give birth.

Pupping season: Around 3,000 pups are born at Blakeney Point each winter, making this England’s largest grey seal pupping colony.

Appearance: Large (up to 2.5 metres), silver-grey fur, distinctive horse-like face. Females are smaller than males.

Behaviour: Less social than common seals, often seen alone or in small groups. Spend more time hauled out on beaches.

Common Seals (Harbour Seals)

When: Most visible in summer (June-July) when they haul out in larger numbers.

Pupping season: June-July, when about 500 pups are born across Norfolk’s colonies.

Appearance: Smaller (up to 1.8 metres), spotted pattern, distinctive V-shaped nostrils. More dog-like than grey seals.

Behaviour: More social than greys, often seen in larger groups hauled out together on sandbanks.

The Main Locations

Blakeney Point: The Famous Colony

Britain’s largest grey seal colony and Norfolk’s most famous seal-watching destination. This 4-mile spit of sand and shingle juts into the North Sea, providing perfect seal habitat.

Getting there: Only accessible by boat trip from Morston Quay (4 miles from Blakeney). Trips run daily from April to October and less frequently in winter.

What you’ll see: Grey seals year-round, with spectacular pupping in winter. Common seals also visit in summer. Boat trips take you close to seals hauled out on the sand and swimming in the water.

Seasonal highlights:

• Winter: Grey seal pupping (white fluffy pups being born and learning to swim)
• Spring: Yearling seals exploring, adults resting after pupping
• Summer: Common seals visit, grey seals haul out on warm beaches
• Autumn: Preparing for winter pupping season

Practical: Book boat trips in advance (they sell out in peak season). Dress warmly (it’s colder on the water). Trips last 1-2 hours depending on conditions.

Horsey Beach: The Shore Experience

Less famous than Blakeney but equally spectacular – and accessible from the shore. This beach has Norfolk’s most accessible seal colony, visible from the sand without needing a boat.

Getting there: Horsey Beach is near Great Yarmouth, accessible via Horsey Gap car park (well-signposted). A walk of about 15-20 minutes takes you to the seals.

What you’ll see: Grey seals year-round, with pupping in winter. The seals haul out on the beach close enough to see clearly from a respectful distance.

Why Horsey matters: You can walk along the beach watching seals without needing a boat. This creates a very different experience – more intimate and at your own pace.

Important: Stay on the path, keep well back from the seals, and never approach them. These are wild animals and can be dangerous.

Hunstanton: The Accessible Colony

On the north coast, Hunstanton offers seal watching from Old Hunstanton Beach and boat trips from Hunstanton Harbour.

Shore watching: Walk from Old Hunstanton Beach car park towards the lighthouse – seals can often be seen hauled out on sandbanks at low tide. Bring binoculars.

Boat trips: Several operators run trips from Hunstanton Harbour, taking you to nearby sandbanks where seals haul out. Trips run year-round, weather permitting.

What makes Hunstanton special: It’s accessible from the north coast (near King’s Lynn), offering seal watching without driving all the way to the east coast.

Waxham and Sea Palling

Less visited beaches on the north-east coast that also have seal colonies. Less famous but equally impressive if you want a quieter experience.

Getting there: Both beaches have car parks and are signposted from nearby villages. Walking along the beach will bring you close to seals (keep your distance).

Boat Trip Guide

What to Expect

The boats: Typically open launches with seating for 10-15 passengers. Dress warmly and waterproof – it’s always cooler on the water.

The trips: Last 1-2 hours, with boats getting close (but not disturbing) to seals hauled out on sandbanks or swimming. Skippers are experienced and knowledgeable about seal behaviour.

Seasons:

• Summer: Frequent trips, common seals, good weather
• Winter: Less frequent but spectacular pupping, dramatic winter light

Best Operators

Blakeney Point: Several operators run from Morston Quay – all are licensed and experienced. Booking ahead is essential in summer.

Hunstanton: Boats run from the harbour. Ask around – different operators have different schedules and routes.

Photography Tips

Boat trips: Stabilise yourself against the boat’s sides. Use a faster shutter speed to counter movement. Zoom lenses help but are not essential – seals come close.

Shore watching: Tripods or bean bags help with long lenses. Shoot from a respectful distance – never approach seals.

Light: Early morning or late afternoon gives better, warmer light than harsh midday sun.

Responsible Seal Watching

The Golden Rules

Keep your distance – Stay at least 100 metres from seals. Never approach them on land.

Don’t disturb – Seals hauled out are resting. Don’t make loud noises, sudden movements, or try to interact.

Leave dogs at home – Dogs stress seals and can cause stampedes that injure pups.

Stay on paths – At Horsey and other beach locations, stay on marked paths to avoid disturbing seals.

If You See a Distressed Seal

Pup alone on beach: In summer, pups often rest while mothers feed nearby. Observe from a distance for an hour. If still alone after an hour, contact RSPCA or local seal sanctuary.

Injured seal: Observe from a distance, take photos if possible, and contact RSPCA (0300 1234 999) or local seal rescue.

Abandoned pup: In winter, white-coated pups that appear alone may genuinely be abandoned. Contact local seal sanctuary.

Seal Sanctuaries

Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary

While not primarily a seal sanctuary, they do care for injured seals and have seal exhibits. Worth visiting to learn more about seal biology and conservation.

RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre

Norfolk’s main wildlife hospital, caring for injured seals and other wildlife. Not open to the public but they accept reports of injured animals.

Planning Your Visit

Best Times

Winter (November-January): Grey seal pupping at Blakeney Point – spectacular but cold. Horsey Beach is excellent for watching pups from shore.

Spring (March-May): Good seal watching with fewer crowds. Weather can be unpredictable.

Summer (June-August): Common seals, boat trips running frequently, better weather but busy.

Autumn (September-October): Pre-pupping season, still good seal numbers, fewer visitors.

What to Bring

• Warm, waterproof clothing – it’s always colder on the coast
• Binoculars – helpful for shore watching
• Camera – seals make excellent subjects
• Snacks and drinks – limited facilities at some locations
• Sun protection – coastal sun can be strong

Duration

Boat trips: 1-2 hours

Shore watching: Allow 1-2 hours for a good session

Full day: Combine seal watching with other Norfolk attractions

Beyond the Seals

Norfolk Coast Path

The 45-mile Norfolk Coast Path runs through seal territory. Walking sections gives you seal watching alongside spectacular coastal scenery.

Norfolk Broads

While not coastal, the Broads sometimes have seals visiting from the sea. Combine with a Broads boat trip for a different water-based wildlife experience.

Other Wildlife

Norfolk’s coast is rich in wildlife beyond seals – birds (including rare species), insects, and coastal flora. Keep your eyes open.

Practical Tips

For Families

Boat trips are exciting for children but dress warmly and book trips that aren’t too long (1 hour is plenty).

Horsey Beach is excellent for families – seals visible from the shore, no boats needed, just a beach walk.

Respect seals and teach children to watch from a distance. Seals are wild animals, not pets.

For Photographers

Golden hour photography is spectacular – early morning or late afternoon light.

Telephoto lenses help but aren’t essential – seals come close, especially on boat trips.

Patience is key – wait for seals to move, interact, and express themselves.

Access

Mobility issues: Boat trips from Morston and Hunstanton can accommodate wheelchair users with advance notice. Shore watching at Horsey requires walking on sand – not suitable for all mobility levels.

The Seal Experience

What makes Norfolk seal watching special is the authenticity. These aren’t zoo animals – they’re wild, living their natural lives in their natural habitat. Whether you’re watching pups being born on Blakeney Point or seals hauled out on Horsey Beach, you’re experiencing genuine wildlife behaviour.

The accessibility is remarkable. Many places have wild seals, but few allow you to get this close with such ease. Boat trips get you near enough to see clearly, shore watching lets you observe at your own pace, and both experiences connect you with something wild and real.

Final Thoughts

Norfolk’s seal watching is world-class yet surprisingly accessible. From the famous Blakeney Point colony to the beach-side experience at Horsey, there are multiple ways to see these magnificent marine mammals in their natural habitat.

The key is respect – keep your distance, don’t disturb, and observe with appreciation. Seals are wild animals that deserve their space, but they also deserve to be seen and understood by people who care about their welfare.

Whether you’re on a boat trip watching pups learn to swim, or walking along a beach with seals hauled out nearby, Norfolk offers a wildlife experience that’s genuinely special. Come for the seals, stay for the atmosphere, and leave with memories that will last a lifetime.