Seal watching Trips Harwich

Overview:

Departing From: Harwich Half Penny Pier

Ideal for: families, wildlife enthusiasts, bird watchers, and nature lovers

Booking: visit sealwatching.co.uk

Highlights:

See the seals in their natural environment basking and lolloping on the shore, or popping their heads up around the boat. It's a beautiful way to experience the seals while immersing yourself in the stunning Walton backwaters. If you are lucky you might spot a Porpoise on the boat trip to the reserve too!

Walton backwaters, has a healthy breeding population of around 250 seals, which has increased from only 5 in 1986. The colony of both harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) are an unusual russet colour, due to the iron oxide-rich mud which they haul out onto. The seals love to rest on the mudbanks like the backwaters, because these waters are permanently free of ice. 

Hamford Water Backwaters, is a National Nature Reserve with RAMSAR classification, recognised as being an internationally important wetland for birds. Mudflats, islands, salt marshes and tidal creeks, provide a unique environment on the migration route for many bird species. It is a hugely important breeding ground for Little Terns and provides wintering grounds for Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Godwit, Redshank, Shelduck, Teal and Avocet. It also supports communities of coastal plants which are extremely rare in Britain, including Hog’s Fennel.

In addition, there are nationally important numbers of Wigeon, Pintail, Ringed Plover, Curlew, and Dunlin. During migration in the autumn and spring, this area also known as The Naze, is a prime birdwatching site. Curlew and Sandpipers are regularly seen along the beach, with Gannets and Arctic Skuas passing offshore.

Exploring the area by boat is the ideal way to take in this wonderful landscape.

Getting there:

From Suffolk:

Via Harwich Harbour Ferry: The quickest way to reach Seal Watching Trips Harwich if traveling from Suffolk, is to hop on the Harwich Harbour Ferry at Shotley Marina (IP9 1QJ), or Landguard Fort Beach in Felixstowe (IP11 3TW). More details at harwichharbourferry.com.

Road Directions to Harwich Half Penny Pier in Essex:

Sat Nav: Use CO12 3HH for Harwich Half Penny Pier.

Payable Car Park: The Quay TDC Parking (CO12 3HH) and Wellington Road Car Park (CO12 3DL).

Free Street Parking: available throughout Harwich.