Seal Spotting in Norfolk: When and Where To See Them

Spotting a wild seal colony is one of Britain’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles. It’s a true delight to see them basking on the beach or bobbing along in the shallows of the sea. One of the best places to see them is on the Norfolk coast, where flat beaches, shallow waters and protective sand dunes provide ideal habitat.

Norfolk’s seal colonies are growing rapidly each year. This is very exciting, as it shows that conservation efforts are working! Keep reading to find out exactly when and where in Norfolk you should go to see these adorable critters.

Firstly, please be a responsible seal spotter

It’s all too easy for human interactions to harm the seals, particularly during the winter months at Horsey Gap when pups are on the beach. Every year, pups are abandoned because humans have gotten too close or a dog has chased a mother away from her baby. It’s essential to be mindful of what you’re doing and ensure the wellbeing of the seals is put first. Maintain your distance at all times and keep dogs on a lead.

Spotted a lone seal pup? A seal pup on its own may not necessarily mean that it’s been abandoned — pups are sometimes left by their mothers for a short while. If you are worried about a seal pup, you can call the National Trust during office hours on 01263 740241 or the RSPCA outside of office hours on 0300 1234 999. Please don’t approach the seal yourself.

What kind of seals can you see in Norfolk?

Norfolk is home to both common seals and grey seals, who love to frolic in the sea just offshore and bask on the sand year-round. Each year, both species come ashore to give birth to their young — grey seals in winter; common seals in summer — which provides excellent opportunities to see pups.

Grey seals are the larger of the two species — they can reach a whopping 2.5 metres in length and weigh as much as 300kg. The white fur of the grey seal pup is immediately recognisable on the north Norfolk beaches that welcome them every year. After a few weeks of nursing, they shed their fluffy white fur to reveal their eponymous grey coat.

Common seals — also known as harbour seals — are much smaller, growing up to just 1.6m in length and 100kg in weight. Many people think that common seals are “cuter” than grey seals, probably due to their rounder faces and shorter noses. Despite the name, they are actually less common than grey seals! Their pups are born with brown fur.

Where to see seals in Norfolk

Walk along any Norfolk beach at any time of year, and it’s not unlikely that you’ll spot a seal or two. That being said, there are certain locations and times of the year when sightings are almost guaranteed.

Horsey Gap

In my opinion, the best place to see seals in Norfolk is Horsey Gap from November to February. While you’re likely to spot the odd seal here year-round, the winter months are seal central. This is because thousands of grey seals come ashore to give birth during this time.

Blakeney Point

Common seals come to Blakeney Point every summer to give birth on the shore. This means that from June to August, you’ll be able to see lots of common seals and their pups. Blakeney Point is also good for seeing both grey and common seals year-round, as they can often be seen swimming offshore or basking on the sand.

Winterton Beach

The grey seal colony that comes to Horsey Gap during winter spreads out all the way down to Winterton Beach, making it a great option for seeing baby seals during the pupping season. You’re also likely to spot a few seals swimming offshore during the summer months.

Waxham Beach

As well as spreading down to Winterton Beach, the Horsey Gap seal colony also spreads up to Waxham Beach during the winter. Waxham Beach is a little more off the beaten track with no car park — this can be a good thing, as you’ll find fewer people here. No matter what time of year you visit, you’re very likely to spot a few seals at Waxham Beach, although the winter pupping season is the best time.

When to see seals in Norfolk

The pupping season for common seals is June to August whereas pupping season for grey seals is November to February. If you’re hoping to see a particular species of seal, you want to plan your trip accordingly.

November – February

The winter months are the best time to see grey seals and their pups, as they come ashore to give birth on the beach at Horsey Gap and on the spit at Blakeney Point during this time. The Horsey colony also spreads south to Winterton Beach and north to Waxham Beach.

June – August

Summer is the best time to see common seals and their pups at Blakeney Point. You can only reach the seals by boat, as the far end of the spit is cordoned off by the National Trust for important conservation purposes. There are plenty of boat trips which will take you out to see the seals: try Beans Boats, Temples Boat Trips or Ptarmigan Boat Trips.

All year round

If you’re happy to see grown seals without their pups — both common and grey — then you have a good chance of seeing them at Blakeney Point or Waxham all year round.

Hiking from Winterton-on-Sea to Horsey Gap: the best way to see Norfolk’s grey seal colony

In my opinion, the best way to see the seals in Norfolk is by hiking along the coastline from Winterton-on-Sea to Horsey Gap between November and February. Horsey’s grey seal colony spreads out along the shoreline down to Winterton Beach, so you’ll be able to see them the whole way.

The issue with seeing the seals at Horsey Gap is that it can get crowded on the viewing platform. This can take away from the experience a little. Hiking along the sand dunes above the beach takes you away from the crowds and gives you great views of the seals the entire way.

Try this 8-mile hiking route during the winter months to see plenty of grey seals and their babies:

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