Best Places to See Seals in Cornwall
Unforgettable Seal Spotting Experiences in Cornwall
There are few sights more joyful than seals playfully bobbing in sparkling coastal waters. These wonderful creatures are often as captivated by us as we are by them, their doe-eyes and characterful whiskered faces never failing to warm our hearts.
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There are some golden rules to obey when seal watching, particularly with regards to keeping a respectful distance from nesting sites, when those adorable seal pups are at their most vulnerable. For that reason, it’s well worth booking a place on an accredited Cornish seal tour to learn more about these beguiling water babies under the guidance of experts.
Here are some of the best ways to see seals in Cornwall…
Padstow Sealife Safaris
Immerse yourselves in the fascinating world of grey seals, one of the Cornish coast’s most abundant residents. Explore the sparkling waters around Padstow Harbour and admire the stunning coastal views when you embark on a Padstow Sealife Safari. Learn all about these enchanting creatures courtesy of an expert tour guide who’ll give you a riveting insight into the behaviour and habits of grey seals plus plenty of engrossing facts. For starters, did you know that nearly half the grey seal population have made their home on the UK coast? and that seals can live to a ripe old age of forty? Hop aboard for a truly memorable outing.
The Godrevy Heritage Coast
Next we head further down the rugged and beautiful North Cornwall coast to one of the largest and most established seal colonies in the South West. The gleaming waters of Mutton Cove plays host to a vast array of amazing sealife, grey seals among its many inhabitants. Wildlife enthusiasts regularly report sightings of dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks and sometimes even ocean sunfish, however, grey seals continue to take centre stage and can be viewed from the grassy, sea thrift-swathed headland bobbing in the water and lazing on the shingle. The magnificent sweeping views of St Ives Bay form a spectacular backdrop.
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Seal Island, St Ives
Home to a thriving colony of Atlantic grey seals, Seal Island lies a handful of miles off the bustling harbour waters of St Ives in the direction of the charming coastal parish of Zennor. You can book a boat trip to these tiny, rocky islands – known locally as The Carracks – to observe the seals in their natural habitat. Several boat tour operators run regular seal spotting trips during the high seasons, ocean-goers often enjoying the inquisitive company of dolphins and porpoises, the slow and graceful shadows of Basking Sharks, and even the rare sight of humpback whales. The Carracks also lays claim to one of the north coast’s most famous shipwrecks, the Enrico Parodi, which struck Gurnard’s Head in deep fog in 1916 whilst on wartime cargo duty. If you’re struggling to find your sea legs, Seal Island can also be seen from the cliff path, west of Porthmeor Beach, and best enjoyed through a pair of binoculars.
Marine Discovery, Penzance
A previous winner of the Responsible Whale & Dolphin Watch Operator of the year award, Marine Discovery guarantees a wildlife watching adventure to remember. Join the crew onboard the sailing catamaran, Shearwater II, and trim the waters off West Cornwall in search of the region’s incredible marine life. The tour can boast regular encounters with grey seals, as well as a variety of seabirds, dolphins and porpoises (which sometimes swim on the bow or wake water), the illusive ocean sunfish, leatherback turtles, you might even have a brush with an ocean giant or two with sightings of minke and humpback whales and basking sharks all frequent admissions into the skipper’s diary. This is a coastal experience not to be missed!
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Newquay Sea Safari
Another of Cornwall’s award-winning ocean tours, this year, Newquay Sea Safari celebrated a gold in the Cornish Tourism Awards category for ‘Wildlife Friendly’ Tourist Attractions. The Atlantic grey seal gets a star billing during these popular tours out of Newquay Harbour, charting the rugged Cornish coast past the legendry Fistral Beach in search of an array of majestic sea birds and marine creatures. Sit back and see what gentle giants lurk beneath the crystal clear waters safe in the hands of one of the Newquay Sea Safari’s experienced skippers and tour guides. A unique and exciting day out the whole family will talk about for years to come.
Looe Seal Spotting
Every year people return to the waters around Looe Island to watch and delight in its abundant wildlife. Set in Looe’s Voluntary Marine Conservation Area, this precious coastal enclave is home to another of the region’s beloved colonies of grey seals and is considered one of the ‘easiest’ places to see these captivating creatures in the UK. They are best captured through a pair of binoculars from the clifftops and beaches basking on the distant outcrops at low tide, although many people enjoy a harbour tour and view the seals from the deck of a pleasure boat. You can also enjoy a guided walk around the island but strict guidelines must be adhered to and the seal watching and shoreline code of conduct maintained at all times.
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Pentire Point & The Rumps
This spectacular stretch of the North Cornish coast lies between the far-reaching panorama of Steeper Point and the majestic headland of Tintagel Castle. Follow the South West Coast Path as it roams and undulates along the rugged cliffs and grassy slopes bathed in wildflowers. Many people believe this section of the peninsula offers the best sea watching experience in the county, with grey seals regularly seen swimming around the rocks and breakwater from the headland. Peregrine Falcons are frequently observed hovering above the heathland honing in on their latest quarry and the mesmerising sight of bottlenose, risso and common dolphins continues to delight all those lucky enough to witness them. The much-admired settings of Rock, Daymer Bay and Polzeath beach are all within easy reach.
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