Witness The Seals At Blakeney Point

If you're planning a walking holiday in Norfolk, one of the must-see attractions on a rest day is taking a boat trip to see the seals at Blakeney Point.

Blakeney Point seals

This stunning natural reserve is home to hundreds of Grey and Common seals, and watching them in their natural habitat is a truly unforgettable experience.

As someone who loves nature and wildlife, I’m sure you’ll be fascinated by the beauty of the wildlife that I hope you’ll experience on your Norfolk walking holiday which takes you along the unique landscape of the North Norfolk coast.

Blakeney Point seals together

The best way to do this is to probably have a rest day at Blakeney, then you can catch the boat trips which obviously are dependent on tide times.  This is something we can speak about when we are planning your walk along the Norfolk Coast Path.

Introduction to Blakeney Point and the Common and Grey Seals

Blakeney Point spit

Blakeney Point is a narrow strip of land that juts out into the North Sea, situated on the north coast of Norfolk, and is managed by the National Trust.

This stunning location is home to a variety of wildlife, including countless seabirds, insects, and the huge colony of the Common and Grey seals. So, if nature is your thing, this is an experience not to miss. 

Boat Trips to Blakeney Point

Blakeney Point boat trips out to the spit

The only way to experience seeing the seals at Blakeney Point is by taking a boat trip from Morston Quay which you will have passed as you walked on the Norfolk Coast Path heading towards Blakeney.  It is about a 30 minute walk, or a short bus trip from Blakeney.

These boat trips offer a unique perspective on the natural beauty of the area, as well as an opportunity to witness the common seals and grey seals in their natural habitat.  Occasionally, the boat trips will stop on The Point and you can get off and walk around The Spit until they come back and pick you up.  

The boat trips are run by experienced guides who provide expert knowledge about the wildlife and history of the area.  You are taken up the creek and out towards the spit where you spend some time watching the seals. 

The whole trip takes about 1 ½ hours.  

As you sail around the spit, you'll be able to enjoy watching the seals basking in the sun on the sandy spit or swimming in the sea.

After seeing the seals, you can then come back and enjoy wandering around the pretty village of Blakeney, and if it's a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday you could summon up the energy to walk up to the top of the tower on St Nicholas's church for an incredible view over this unique coastline.  But if you don't feel like doing that, you could pop along to Cley to browse the galleries, have a cup of coffee or lunch at one of the cafes or pubs! 

The Breeding Season of Common Seals and Seal Pups

Blakeney point head of a seal

The breeding season of the Common seals at Blakeney Point usually starts in June and lasts until August. During this time, you’ll be able to witness the seal pups and their mothers on the sandy areas of the spit. 

During the winter months the Grey seals have their pups (usually in the thousands), but I don’t think you’ll be walking then!

You can see the seals all year round, so whenever you decide to walk, you’ll have the opportunity to see them.

It is, however, important to plan ahead and book a boat trip in advance, as these trips can be very popular during the peak summer season.

The Old Lifeboat House

Blakeney Point Old Lifeboat House

The Old Lifeboat House is also a unique landmark in Blakeney Point, with a long history of providing safety and shelter for sailors and fishermen in the area. This is one of Norfolk’s iconic buildings and remains an important symbol of the maritime heritage of the Norfolk coast.

Hopefully, you will also have seen this building in the distance as you walked along the coastal path, nearing Blakeney, but there's something special about seeing it close up.

National Trust and its Role in Preserving Blakeney Point

The Little Terns on Blakeney Point

The National Trust is a conservation charity that is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and heritage of the UK. They play an important role in managing Blakeney Point and ensuring that it remains a natural breeding colony for the Grey and Common seals and other wildlife such as the Little Terns.

Why not add another Norfolk experience as you walk the Norfolk Coast Path?!

Witnessing the Common seals in Blakeney Point is an experience that you’ll definitely remember for a long time.  At one point, I thought it was quite a touristy thing to do, but it really isn't - it's nature at its best!

This stunning location is a natural environment for these seals, and there is no better place to see them than here.

The seals on Blakeney Point Nature Reserve

If you love nature and wildlife, I would highly recommend that you take a boat trip out to Blakeney Point and see the seals in their natural habitat.  We can speak about a rest day when planning your walk along the Norfolk Coast Path.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Suzy Watson
+44 (0)7765 668188
suzy@explorenorfolkuk.co.uk

Feel free to contact me and we can discuss further