Our favourite land based spots for seal watching are Mutton Cove in Cornwall, Angel Bay in Wales and Ravenscar in Yorkshire.
There are two types of seals found on the coasts of Britain. The large Atlantic grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and the smaller Common Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina). Other species of seal can also be seen here but it is rare.
Our grey seal population is around a third of the world’s total population so if you do see a seal here it is most likely to be a grey seal.
Grey seals can be seen all year round. The breeding season is between Autumn and winter. Between September and December is a great time to see large gatherings of seals and the young pups with their fluffy creamy white coats. These young seals stay on the shore for two to three weeks before moulting and heading out to sea to learn to swim and feed.
Harbour seals can also be seen year round. They have more rounded faces and are smaller than the grey seals and group less closely together. They also pup earlier than grey seals, in June and July. The pups are born with a darker coat and unlike grey seal pups they quickly learn to swim straight after they are born.
Seals are curious and sociable creatures and are a joy to watch. Show respect and observe them quietly and from a safe distance so they are not disturbed.
They spend the majority of their time (about 80% ) out at sea hunting and feeding but haul out on the shore from time to time, to rest, moult and pup. We’ve been lucky to see them in the wild at these stunning locations.
1.Mutton Cove, Cornwall
Mutton Cove has a large colony of grey seals. Mutton Cove is located in Godvrey a few miles north of Hayle at the top of St Ives Bay. There’s a National Trust cafe with parking at Godrevy. From here it’s a short stroll along a lane and then a footpath takes you around the headland to the viewing platform. At low tide you can also walk along the beach. There is an additional car park even closer to the viewpoint.
Also in Cornwall a walk around West Pentire includes a seal viewing platform.
2.Angel Bay on the Little Orme in Llandudno, North Wales
Angel Bay on the Rhiwledyn Reserve is a great spot to view seals and is very accessible from the seaside town of Penrhyn Bay.
Find the Co-op store, just behind this building is Penrhyn Beach Way. Follow this road to the very end. You will then see steps leading to a footpath. Alternatively, (to the avoid steps) follow Penrhyn Beach Way and take a left turn into the cul de sac Penrhyn Close and you will see a gate leading to the path.Whichever option you choose follow the path through the Rhiwledyn Nature Reserve and the Bay is in front of you on the left. We saw a few seals in the sea and some on the rocks.
3.Ravenscar seal colony in North Yorkshire
We parked at the car park for Boggle Hole Youth Hostel which has a great cafe here if you need refreshments.
From the car park we went onto the beach and turned right towards the headland at Ravenscar, and away from the village of Robin Hood’s Bay to our left.
It was just after low tide so the headland was accessible. We walked for about forty minutes or so picking our way over rocks and stones until we reached the headland. There were plenty of seals here on the beach and on the rocks.
We walked back the way we came, heading north along the beach. You need to check the tide times. Time your visit an hour either side of low tide as this walk is inaccessible at high tide.
You can also view the Ravenscar seal colony from the cliffs of Ravenscar below the Raven Hall Hotel.
