See the Blakeney Point Seals in Norfolk: Our tips

Seals are so cute! If you are in Norfolk it is well worth taking a boat trip to see the Blakeney Point seals. Your heart will not fail to be melted by these wonderful creatures swimming and playing in the sea and lying all fat and relaxed on the beaches.

Where is Blakeney Point?

Blakeney Point is a national nature reserve owned by the National Trust on the coast of Norfolk, nearby to the villages of Morston and Cley-next-the-Sea. The reserve is a 3 mile stretch of mostly sand and shingle beach but also has saltmarsh and mudflats providing a paradise for many different types of wildlife.

The area is a coastline of wonderful natural beauty and an ideal spot to visit any time of the year. Blakeney Point is easy to get to by car and lies just off the A149 Cromer to Hunstanton road.

The reserve is a brilliant place to visit at any time of year, but the best time to visit is in June or July or between November and January when the seal pups are being born - their cute and fluffy white coats are sure to delight children and adults alike!

The Seals at Blakeney Point

Blakeney Point is home to a mixed colony of around 500 seals of 2 varieties - the Harbour seal and the Grey seal. The Harbour seals have their young in the height of summer and the pups can swim almost immediately. The Grey seals have their young in winter and they cannot swim until they have lost their first white coat, so you’ll see them playing and resting on the sand at this time.

Both seals are grey in colour but, to spot the difference, Grey seals are larger than Harbour seals and have a rounder head. They are also much more common than the Harbour seals.

Boat Trips

There are a number of excellent companies offering boat trips, which is the best way to see the seals without disturbing them. These trips run from nearby Morston Quay and tickets can be purchased at Blakeney Harbour. Beans Boat Trips, Ptarmigan Blakeney Point Seal Trips, Bishops Boat Trips and Temples Seal Trips set sail from Morston Quay daily from around April each year.

Each company provides high safety standards and friendly and knowledgeable guides to help you get the best from your trip. It is worth taking an extra jumper for warmth and waterproof clothing in case the weather is a little drizzly.

Facilities at Blakeney Point

There are good facilities at Blakeney Point and nearby towns including refreshment and seafood stalls, toilets, an information centre and a recently refurbished tea room at Morston Quay. Car parking is available at Morston Quay for £3 a day. There are several excellent pubs in the nearby villages of Stiffkey, Wiveton and Cley.

Coastal Walks, Birds and Wildlife

There are some great coastal walks the whole family can enjoy, especially on the North Norfolk Coastal Path, a 45 mile long distance route running from Hunstanton to Cromer which passes through many stunning Norfolk villages (Blakeney being one of them). You could enjoy a long or short walk surrounded by views of the sea and stop for a bite to eat in a nearby pub.

The coastal path is brilliant if you have your dog with you too although bear in mind there are dog restrictions at Blakeney Point from April to mid-August.

This area is also a birdwatcher’s paradise and is described as one of the best places in the UK to see a huge variety of birds such as the spot marsh harrier, the red shank, the avocet and occasionally the Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer – so don’t forget your binoculars!

Kids will love spotting other wildlife like rabbits and otters as well as interesting flora and fauna. When visiting the area be sure to check the tide times as much of the marshland can be covered by water making access difficult: you can find safety tips at Morston Quay information centre.

A brilliant day trip for the whole family

Blakeney Point offers a wonderful opportunity to see these fascinating Grey and Harbour Seals up close and in great numbers. Spotting a seal pup is sure to warm your heart as you enjoy a relaxing and gentle boat trip around this beautiful nature reserve. Blakeney Point is a must-visit when you are in Norfolk!