By Parkdean Resorts on 05/05/2017
Beneath the UK’s stunning waters lies a hidden world, home to a variety of beautiful marine wildlife. From dolphins and whales to seals and seabirds, there’s so much to discover. Whether you’re visiting the rugged edges of Scotland or the secluded beaches of Norfolk, there are many places in Britain where you can see these amazing animals in the wild.
Here at Parkdean Resorts, we’ve unearthed some of the best places in Britain to spot marine wildlife - so you can see for yourself how they live in their natural habitat.
Cardigan Bay, Wales
Cardigan Bay, located on the West Coast of Wales, is home to a variety of marine wildlife - including the largest pod of bottlenose dolphins in the UK. In this area, there’s also a large population of porpoises - and the location is well-known for sightings of both minke and fin whales.
For a fantastic family day out, A Bay to Remember offers a range of boat tours and cruises to spot these animals. During these trips, you’re likely to see dolphins bow-riding along with the boat and enjoying the gentle waves it creates. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a dolphin named Top Notch, who has been a common sighting on these tours for over 20 years!
A Bay to Remember’s most popular trip is the Explorer Tour, which covers ten miles of the beautiful coastline and its surrounding wildlife. Often, the boat will sail up to Pembrokeshire National Park, where you can check out the hidden caves and spot seals splashing in the waves. If you fancy more time on the water, an extended tour is also available – offering two action-packed hours out on the open sea. Located just an hour away from Brynowen Holiday Park, these boat tours are perfect for those wanting to see some of Britain’s most majestic animals.
Video sourced from seawatchfoundation
Blakeney Point, Norfolk
The secluded beaches of Horsey in Norfolk act as a magnet to mothering seals, and they regularly come here to have their pups. The peaceful silence of the coast offers a haven for seals, and in the summer months, they can often be spotted in the shallow waters.
If you wish to take a closer look at these cute and playful animals, there are plenty of boat tours which run regularly along the coast. Beans Boat Trips takes visitors to Blakeney Point, departing from Morston Quay, which is located just over an hour from California Cliffs Holiday Park. From the vessel, you can expect to see seals popping up around the boat - showing off their spirited nature. If a boat trip isn’t for you, you can also look for seals from the sand dunes.
The area is also a national breeding ground for many migrating birds during both the summer and winter m
onths. Whilst you’re there, explore the island’s lighthouse and the information centre - which is an excellent place to view these animals and learn more about the location and its wildlife. When you’re not on the lookout for seals, explore the beach and take a stroll along the footpaths that weave along the beautiful coastline.
Video sourced from Gill Sapsed
Farne Islands, Northumberland
The stunning Farne Islands, located just two miles off the coast of Northumberland, is home to the most famous sea bird sanctuary in the British Isles. White-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises and minke whales are also drawn to the area, because of its cool temperatures and shallow seas.
Serenity Farne Islands Boat Tours offer a number of trips to discover the local wildlife. There’s a bird-watching tour, which gives visitors the opportunity to catch a glimpse of puffins, manx shearwaters, long tailed ducks, terns and guillemots. The trip takes you on a leisurely cruise around the Farne Islands, with lots of opportunities to enjoy the sights of the islands, which are home to over 80,000 birds. These regular boat trips set sail from Seahouses Harbour, located just 45 minutes away from Eyemouth Holiday Park.
During August and September there are also whale-watching trips on offer, where you can hop on a two-hour long cruise and see these amazing animals for yourself. For those seeking something a little more relaxed, there is also a tranquil Sunset Cruise available - running from May to September. This evening voyage allows passengers to watch the baby guillemots fly the nest, whilst taking in views of the sun setting over historic Bamburgh Castle.
Video sourced from SEASIDE
North Berwick, Scotland
In the beautiful seaside town of North Berwick lies a charming harbour, where you can take a trip to see an amazing collection of seabirds. It was awarded BBC Countryfile Magazine’s Holiday Destination of the Year, because of its beauty and magnificent wildlife.
The Scottish Seabird Centre offers lots of different trips, the most popular of which is the Three Islands Seabird Seafari. This 12-seater boat sets sail from North Berwick’s main harbour, just under an hour away from Eyemouth Holiday Park, taking visitors on a tour of the three different islands along the Firth of Forth. The tour goes between the Bass Rock, Craigleith and The Lamb, where you will see a variety of seabirds alongside amazing scenery.
Bass Rock is home to the UK’s largest colony of Northern gannets - and with over 150,000 of them, they won’t be hard to spot! These birds spend most of the year here, until they make their annual trip to West Africa in October. If they manage to steal your heart, there is also the opportunity to adopt your very own gannet family.
If you’re lucky, you might even see dolphins, which can be spotted swimming along the coastline. When you’re not exploring the sea and surrounding islands on a boat trip, North Berwick is packed with plenty of places to see and activities to do. You can discover the historic Tantallon or Dirleton Castle, or enjoy a picnic on the surrounding cliffs.
Video sourced from RobMcDougallTV
Have you got a favourite place to spot sea life? If so, we’d love to hear all about it on our Twitter or Facebook page.