Seal-spotting walks

Both grey and common seals can be seen all around the UK coastline. They both spend a lot of time at sea but come ashore to breed during the autumn months. Coastal walks are a great way to see seals, but you can also view then on a boat trip.

Seals are easily scared especially by dogs so please remember to keep a safe distance when they come ashore.

Common seals basking upon rocks at Strangford Lough
Walking trail

Castle Ward, County Down 

This walk explores the waterside, a ruined castle, woodland, an ornamental lake and follies. Visit in autumn for a chance to see Strangford Lough’s resident seals and their newborn pups.

Visit the seals near Castle Ward
Young, female, grey seal basking on a beach on the Farne Islands in Northumbria
Walking trail

Farne Islands, Northumberland 

The Farnes are home to one of the biggest grey seal colonies in the British Isles. They've been here for at least 800 years, but were hunted for oil and skins for most of that time. Now they're protected, and you can try and spot them during this walk.

Spot seals on the Farne Islands
Fluffy white grey seal pup lying on the sand

Newtown Nature Reserve, Isle of Wight 

Seals can often be seen from Newtown’s clamerkin hide, which you can pop into whilst on this beautiful route around the estuary.

Explore the nature reserve
A seal pup on the Marloes shoreline
Walking trail

Marloes Peninsula, Pembrokeshire 

A short but spectacular walk around the end of the Marloes Peninsula, with great views and the opportunity to see lots of seal pups in autumn.

Find seals on the Welsh coast
Mother and pup
Walking trail

Morte Point, North Devon 

The three-mile stretch of sand at Woolacombe is famous for being one of Devon’s best beaches. This coastal stroll takes you out onto Morte Point at one end of the beach, where you can have fun exploring the ‘stegosaurus back’ rock formations. Take a pair of binoculars as you may see Atlantic grey seals playing near the shore – they need to pop up for air every 15 minutes, so find a spot to settle down and keep a lookout.

See seals in North Devon
Seal pup and mother
Walking trail

Port Quin, Cornwall 

Enjoy a walk that offers breathtaking views, with Stepper Point to the south and Doyden and Tintagel Castles to the north. Keep your eyes peeled for grey seals and peregrine falcons, often seen along on this stretch of coast.

Look out for pups and peregrines
A young grey seal pup on Blakeney Point
Walking trail

St David's Peninsula, Pembrokeshire 

This 6 mile walk takes you over Wales’ oldest rocks - laid down some 600 million years ago during the pre-Cambrian era. The route also goes past Seal Bay, which lives up to its name in autumn when the pups are being born on the shore.

Look out for seals on St David's peninsula