Why Seals Deserve a Wide Berth

There are few sights more captivating on a British coastline than a haul-out of seals: sleek bodies draped over rocks, pups tucked against their mothers, a chorus of mournful calls carrying across the water. Whether you are walking a coastal path, paddling a kayak or simply sitting on a harbour wall, encountering seals is a privilege. But it is also a responsibility. These are wild animals that need to rest, digest, nurse and moult. Every time we push too close, we cost them energy they cannot spare. Watching from a respectful distance is not about denying yourself the experience. It is about making sure the seals keep coming back.

Where to Watch Grey and Common Seals in the UK

The UK supports internationally important populations of both grey seals and common (harbour) seals. Grey seals favour exposed rocky shores and islands, with major haul-outs in Northumberland, Orkney, the Hebrides, Pembrokeshire and Cornwall. Common seals prefer sheltered estuaries, sandbanks and tidal mudflats, and you will find them around the Wash, the Thames estuary, Loch Fleet in Scotland and Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. Good land-based viewing spots include the cliff paths above Godrevy in Cornwall, the dunes at Donna Nook in Lincolnshire, and the viewing hides at Blakeney Point in Norfolk. From a boat, the Farne Islands and the Isle of May offer superb encounters. Wherever you go, check local tide tables and aim to arrive two hours either side of low water, when hauled-out seals are most visible.

Pupping Season: The Time for Extra Care

Pupping season differs between the two species, and it is when disturbance does the most damage. Grey seals give birth from September to December, peaking in October and November along many UK coasts. Common seals pup earlier, between June and August, with a peak in late June and early July. During these months, mothers and pups are extremely sensitive. A mother may abandon her pup if she feels threatened, and pups can be crushed in a stampede if adults flee towards the water. If you visit a known pupping site, keep well back, use binoculars or a zoom lens, and never walk between a seal and the sea. Avoid visiting at dawn and dusk when disturbance is most disruptive to nursing. If you find a lone pup on a beach, do not approach it. The mother is likely nearby, waiting for you to leave.

Safe Viewing Distances and Disturbance Signs

As a rule of thumb, stay at least 100 metres away from hauled-out seals on land. If pups are present, increase that to 150 metres. In the water, keep a minimum of 50 metres, though 100 metres is better if you are in a boat or kayak. Use binoculars, a spotting scope or a telephoto lens to get the close-up view without the intrusion. Watch for these signs that you are too close:

• Seals raising their heads and staring directly at you.
• Individuals moving towards the water or shuffling away from your position.
• Sudden stampedes, especially among groups on a beach or rock.
• Mothers calling repeatedly or moving between you and their pup.
• Seals diving into the water and not resurfacing nearby.

If you see any of these, stop, back away slowly and quietly, and give them space. Never chase a seal that has entered the water.

Harbour Pursuits: Watching from Boats, Cliffs and Kayaks

Different vantage points call for different approaches. From a cliff path, stay on the path and keep voices low. Seals have excellent hearing and smell, so avoid strong perfumes and never approach downwind if you can help it. From a boat, slow to under six knots within 100 metres of a haul-out, avoid sudden changes in direction, and never cut between seals and open water. Kayakers should paddle quietly, keep a low profile, and never paddle directly towards a group. If a seal approaches you, enjoy the moment but do not paddle after it. From a harbour wall, keep dogs on a short lead and do not lean over the edge. Seals often rest on pontoons and slipways, so give them the right of way.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even well-meaning wildlife watchers make mistakes. Feeding seals is never acceptable: it changes their behaviour, encourages dependency and can lead to aggressive encounters. Drones are a serious problem, as the noise and shadow can cause panic; flying a drone over a seal colony may also be illegal under wildlife disturbance laws. Do not touch a seal, even a pup that looks abandoned. Do not let your dog off the lead near a haul-out, no matter how calm your dog seems. And do not assume that because a seal is looking at you, it is inviting interaction. It is likely assessing a threat. If you realise you have disturbed seals, retreat the way you came, keep quiet, and move on. The best encounters are the ones where the seals barely notice you were there.