seal tours harwich

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Seal Watching Trips Harwich

Seal Watching Trips, Harwich is a must do experience for ocean, nature lovers and wildlife bird watchers. Book a 2 hour trip on our seal watching tour

Seals Guaranteed! A must do experience for ocean nature lovers and wildlife bird watchers. Book a 2 hour trip on our seal watching boat tour, for all ages at sealwatching.co.uk See seals in their natural habitat on the banks of the Hamford Water Reserve. We depart from Harwich Half Penny Pier. Seals Guaranteed or a free trip. See the seals in their natural environment basking and lolloping on the shore or popping their heads up around the boat. Its a beautiful way to experience the seals while immersing yourself in the beautiful Walton backwaters. If you are lucky you might spot a Porpois on the boat trip to the reserve.

Walton backwaters, a healthy breeding population which has increased from only 5 in 1986. The colony of both harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) which 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, behind the Naze, is a National Nature Reserve which is recognised as being an internationally important wetland for birds (RAMSAR). Hamford Water and the Walton Backwaters is an area of mudflats, islands, salt marshes and tidal creeks, viewed best by boat. It is an internationally important breeding ground for Little Terns and wintering ground for Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Wildfowl and Waders. It also supports communities of coastal plants which are extremely rare in Britain including Hog’s Fennel.

The RAMSAR classification in the area means that it is an internationally important wetland for birds. It is on the migration route for many bird species and provides wintering grounds for Brent Geese, Godwit, Redshank, Shelduck, Teal and Avocet and breeding grounds for Terns. In addition, there are nationally important numbers of Wigeon, Pintail, Ringed Plover, Curlew, and Dunlin. During migration in the autumn and spring, the Naze is a prime birdwatching site. Curlew and Sandpipers are regularly seen along the beach, with Gannets and Arctic Skuas passing offshore.

Prices between £15.40 and £26.40 for a 2 hour trip.

Please see our website for scheduled trips or contact us for a private booking. https://sealwatching.co.uk/

If you are arriving on the foot Ferry from Shotley or Felixstowe on the Suffolk side, the free car park at Shotley Marina IP9 1QJ is best. Park at Shotley Marina and take the Ferry across to Harwich. From Felixstowe (Land-guard point), park at a pay and display carpark at IP11 3TW and take the Ferry across. Please allow good time to to arrive in Harwich long before the seal boat departs because due to tides we can unfortunately not wait for late comers. Please also check the harwich harbour ferry website the day before your seal trip to make sure the service is running. If it isn’t you can drive or take the train to Harwich. The address of the seal trips in Harwich is Half Penny Pier, The Quay.

Ferry tickets are available online on the Ferry service website

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Sightings guaranteed – or FREE trip!

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book now! limited space available. Private hire available.

Private hire available please email [email protected] to arrange private hire trips.

Open all year round, usually weekends and school holidays.

Capacity April to October  1- 45 passengers .

Capacity November to March 1- 12 passengers .

There are currently around  250 seals in the Walton backwaters, a healthy breeding population which has risen from only 5 in 1986.

We take you through the backwaters to Oakley creek, known as Hamford Water Nature Reserve, where the seals enjoy resting on the mudbanks.

Dogs are only allowed on Private hire trips. Not on public trips.

In addition to seals, a variety of birds can be spotted including the Wigeon, Pintail, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Dunlincan, Sandpipers, Gannets and Arctic Skuas.

To avoid boarding the wrong boat such as the ferry which is also yellow, please look for the boat with the blue cover.

Accessibility: To get to the pontoon from the street level, there are 40 steps, with good grip plus another 3 steps to get into the boat. There are handrails the whole way and onto the boat. Please email [email protected] if you have more questions about this.

SINGLE TICKET

Summer season (April to October)

Winter season (Nov to March)

PRIVATE HIRE

All year round, book via [email protected]. Private from £264

Summer season, arranged via email only

Sightings guaranteed! – So far every single trip has seen lots of seals but if you don’t see seals close up you get a free trip!

What if it’s raining? – If the weather isn’t perfect we will still depart. The seals love rain, wind, sun, clouds and we love it too!

If it is windy you get wet from the sea splashing into the boat, sometimes a little and most times a lot. Please leave a dry change of clothes in the car.

Departing from Harwich this is a truly wonderful  120 minute trip. Our seal watching boats have on-board toilet facilities and safety equipment. Hand sanitizer provided.

We do not  allow dogs  on public trips. Only on private hire.

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CONTACT INFO

Telephone: 01728 666329

Email: [email protected]

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Seal Watching Trips Harwich

Seal Watching Trips, Harwich is a must do experience for ocean, nature lovers and wildlife bird watchers. Book a 2 hour trip on our seal watching tour

Seals Guaranteed! A must do experience for ocean nature lovers and wildlife bird watchers. Book a 2 hour trip on our seal watching boat tour, for all ages at sealwatching.co.uk See seals in their natural habitat on the banks of the Hamford Water Reserve. We depart from Harwich Half Penny Pier. Seals Guaranteed or a free trip. See the seals in their natural environment basking and lolloping on the shore or popping their heads up around the boat. Its a beautiful way to experience the seals while immersing yourself in the beautiful Walton backwaters. If you are lucky you might spot a Porpois on the boat trip to the reserve.

Walton backwaters, a healthy breeding population which has increased from only 5 in 1986. The colony of both harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) which 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, behind the Naze, is a National Nature Reserve which is recognised as being an internationally important wetland for birds (RAMSAR). Hamford Water and the Walton Backwaters is an area of mudflats, islands, salt marshes and tidal creeks, viewed best by boat. It is an internationally important breeding ground for Little Terns and wintering ground for Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Wildfowl and Waders. It also supports communities of coastal plants which are extremely rare in Britain including Hog’s Fennel.

The RAMSAR classification in the area means that it is an internationally important wetland for birds. It is on the migration route for many bird species and provides wintering grounds for Brent Geese, Godwit, Redshank, Shelduck, Teal and Avocet and breeding grounds for Terns. In addition, there are nationally important numbers of Wigeon, Pintail, Ringed Plover, Curlew, and Dunlin. During migration in the autumn and spring, the Naze is a prime birdwatching site. Curlew and Sandpipers are regularly seen along the beach, with Gannets and Arctic Skuas passing offshore.

Prices between £15.40 and £26.40 for a 2 hour trip.

Please see our website for scheduled trips or contact us for a private booking. https://sealwatching.co.uk/

If you are arriving on the foot Ferry from Shotley or Felixstowe on the Suffolk side, the free car park at Shotley Marina IP9 1QJ is best. Park at Shotley Marina and take the Ferry across to Harwich. From Felixstowe (Land-guard point), park at a pay and display carpark at IP11 3TW and take the Ferry across. Please allow good time to to arrive in Harwich long before the seal boat departs because due to tides we can unfortunately not wait for late comers. Please also check the harwich harbour ferry website the day before your seal trip to make sure the service is running. If it isn’t you can drive or take the train to Harwich. The address of the seal trips in Harwich is Half Penny Pier, The Quay.

Ferry tickets are available online on the Ferry service website

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Monomoy Island

A remote and notably beautiful island located just southwest of Chatham on Cape Cod, Monomoy Island is home to the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge .  A herd of gray seals , and a fascinating history of intrigue inhabit what was once a sleepy fishing village on Monomoy Island .

What You Can Expect from the Monomoy Island Tour

Monomoy Island excursions can be planned with the help of any of the number of local charter services , including the Monomoy Ferry and the family-run business of Monomoy Island Excursions .

These sightseeing cruises last around an hour and a half, taking you on a winding tour of locations along the Nantucket Sound like Wychmere Harbor, Stage Harbor, iconic Cape Cod lighthouses like the Chatham Lighthouse , and the Monomoy Wildlife Refuge. On the majority of cruises, a trained naturalist provides visitors with insight into the history of the area and its wildlife.

The main attraction on these cruises, however, is normally the wildlife themselves! The amount of gray seals that can be seen swimming along the boat and sunning in the harbors is phenomenal, and many also see peaceful whales and the intimidating great white sharks that call Monomoy Island home.

Fare prices are usually around $30 for children under the age of 12 and $35 to $40 for passengers aged 12 years and up, though group rate charters are generally available. You should reserve your spot on the tour at least 24 hours in advance, as most ticket sales within 24 hours are final and non-refundable.

We recommend bringing a camera and binoculars for this unforgettable tour of an exquisite New England island. Some charters also suggest taking this cruise during the weekend, as they experience less crowds during this time. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a jacket or sweatshirt are also recommended.

Cruises to Monomoy Island can often also be chartered for private events, such as birthday celebrations, weddings, and more. Other charters have cruises that stop on South Monomoy Island for day trips and walking tours of the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge if desired. There are plenty of Monomy Island seal tours to check out as well!

New England Vacation Rentals – Your Cape Cod Vacation Experts

Contact our team of reservation specialists to learn more about excursions to Monomoy Island and other fun-filled activities and attractions that you’ll encounter on Cape Cod when you book your stay in one of the fantastic vacation rental properties that we offer, including our vacation rentals with pools .

Browse our vacation rentals in Cape Cod here!

[map] [pin tooltip=”Monomoy Island”]41.5640331,-69.9986201[/pin] [/map]

Photo Credit: 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | www.fws.gov/northeast/monomoy/

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Seal watching Harwich East Coast Harwich

Clicking "Book direct” will take you directly to the website of your chosen place

Special Offer

5 % discount.

To receive a 5% discount, use englandscoast as a discount code before checkout.

Seal watching trips for groups, families, couples and wild life lovers

We offer seal watching trips from Harwich to Hamford water nature reserve. The trip takes between 1.5 to 2 hours. You will see guaranteed seals close up with a great photo opportunity.

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• Trip Advisor

Monomoy Island Excursions

Seal Tours Marine Charters, Sales & Service Private Charters Scenic Water Tours Wildlife Tours/Bird Watching

• 731 Route 28 Harwich Port MA 02646
• (508) 430-7772
• Visit Website

Experience Cape Cod's beauty and nature from the water. Join us for an adventure on Nantucket Sound as we explore the waters around Harwich and Chatham. Take in the sights around Stage Harbor and Monomoy Island, one of the most spectular natural refuges and important ecosystems in the USA. Our comfortable 43 foot catamaran, The Perserverance, features open and covered seating areas. Our trained naturalist will help spot and identify a myriad of birds, seals and other wildlife. View three of the Cape's most popular lighthouses. Bring your camera and binoculars! Great adventure for the family! Perfect for family reunions, birthday celebrations, weddings and charters. Call for reservations and pick up your tickets at our ticket office, conveniently located across from Brax restaurant. The Perserverence is moored a one minute away at Saquatucket Harbor. Check out more information, posted under Documents (at right) and plan to join us for a very special Cape Cod memory. 731 Route 28 Harwich Port, Massachusetts 02646

Stage Harbor Lighthouse

Private Charter

Seals Around Monomoy Island

Harbor Cruise

Gallery Image Momomoy%20island%20excursion%20group%20photo.jpg

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Seal Watching Trips Harwich

Seal Watching Trips Harwich offer an unforgettable experience for adults, children, and wildlife enthusiasts.

Tour Duration: 2 hours

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.

Explore what's on:

Attractions by town/village:, plan your future trip to the suffolk coast in the comfort of your own home.

The attractions and hotels, along with bars, cafes and restaurants in Suffolk are following the strict Public Health England and World Health Organisation guidelines to maintain public safety at all times, and are closed. The advice is not to travel at all - even to campsites, caravan parks or second homes whether for isolation purposes or holidays. People should remain in their primary residence to avoid putting extra pressure on local services. For now, please enjoy our website and look for inspiration for your future trip to the Suffolk coast so you are ready to visit as soon as we re-open! For more information on social distancing visit www.gov.uk/social-distancing

Monomoy Island Excursion

• Departure times may vary, please call ahead for schedule.
• Reservations highly recommended.
• A minimum number of fares are required for all tours.
• All credit cards accepted.
• All tours narrated by a trained naturalist.
• Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time.
• Weekends are less crowded.
• We suggest you bring a jacket or sweatshirt, camera, binoculars, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
• Tours generally last about 75 minutes. Due to the tide or wind some may run a little longer.
• Please no smoking on board.
• Cancellation policy: 24 hours in advance of departure. All sales within 24 hours are non-transferable and non-refundable. Please call at least 24 hours in advance of your trip if you or any of your party cannot attend.
• Free ample parking.
• Private charters available.

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Monomoy Island Excursions