Snorkel with seals at the Farne Islands in Northumberland
Snorkel with seals at the Farne Islands

Snorkel with seals.

Protect marine life.

Private snorkelling adventure.

Over 5,000 grey seals call The Farne Islands home and it's one of the best places to snorkel with seals in the UK. Our Grey Seal Snorkel Safaris are an exclusive, private affair. It's just you, your crew of experienced snorkel guides, and a whole lot of playful seals.

Tailored to your vibes: Every group is different, and we get that. Whether you're all about capturing those perfect underwater shots, or you just want to chill and watch the seals do their thing, we've got you covered. Our guides are not just experts in seals, they will help craft the perfect experience for you.

Your day, your way: We'll work around your schedule – want to start early and catch the seals at sunrise? Or how about a leisurely mid-morning dip? We're all ears and ready to roll with your plans.

Connect with the ocean like never before: This isn't just snorkeling; it's an immersive experience into the world of grey seals. With our guides by your side, you'll learn about these adorable creatures, their habits, and how we can all help keep their home pristine. And because it's just your group of friends, it's a calm, serene experience that lets you truly connect with the ocean and its inhabitants.

Perfect for special occasions: Got a birthday coming up? Maybe an anniversary? Or just want to treat your friends to something out-of-the-ordinary? There's nothing like sharing a private snorkel safari with your favorite people. It's an experience you'll be talking about for years to come.

Protect what you love: There's no doubt that you will fall in love with the seals during your encounters. We know you will want to help protect them so your snorkel tour also includes a donation to the Tynemouth Seal Hospital.

 

Price: £POA - depending on group size get in touch for a quote

Suitable for: Adults and accompanied children ages 12+.

snorkel trips in Northumberland

Join Our Mission to Protect the Grey Seals of the Farne Islands

We are deeply committed to protecting the ocean and everything that lives there. The Farne Islands are one of our most favourite places in the world - how lucky it's on our doorstep! Our snorkeling adventures are more than just a chance to witness these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat; it's an opportunity to be part of a vital conservation effort.

A respectful encounter: We operate a strict passive interaction policy when we snorkel with seals. This means that there is no touching or chasing... although it doesn't always work both ways! There is a good chance that these cheeky seals will give you a boop or a nibble on your fin - the important thing is that we let it happen on their terms.

Minimal impact, maximum care: We're a Green Fins member so we'll invite you to follow our extensive code of conduct ensuring that we minimse our impact on the environment. We won't touch the bottom or stir up sediment while we snorkel and if we find any litter during our adventure we make sure to remove it.

Educational insight: Before you hit the water with us, you'll take our 'Snorkel with Seals Mini-Course'. This short, online video course is designed to enrich your understanding of grey seals. You'll learn about their behaviors, habitats, and the importance of responsible interaction. This course isn't just for our guests; we encourage you to share this valuable resource with friends and family, spreading awareness and fostering a community of conservation advocates.

Your splash makes a ripple: Here's the best part – when you snorkel with us, you're doing more than just hanging out with seals. You're helping us fund projects that protect their hangout spots and keep the oceans clean.

Really well organised trip with knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly team.

Fifth Point Diving ensure you have a good time whilst respecting the marine environment. We were so lucky to see so many seals at close quarters. I can't recommend enough!"

- Simon (via Trip Advisor)

What's included?

  • A boat chartered just for your group (max 16 people)
  • A short, online course introducing you to the grey seals and how to interact responsibly with them
  • Experienced guides leading small groups of no more than 4 participants
  • Equipment (you can let us know your shoe size, dress or t-shirt size and height when booking) and we'll provide everything you need
  • Safety briefing
  • Hot drink and cookies
  • Donation to Tynemouth Seal Hospital on your behalf

FAQs

IT'S AMAZING!

We're so lucky to have these amazing snorkel sites right on our doorstep! The Farnes are a group of around 30 small islands and rocky outcrops a couple of miles off the Northumberland Coast. They're home to one of the biggest colonies of Grey Seals in the UK (some 5,000!). The place is home to a vast range of other wildlife too including guillemots, puffins, gannets and if you're really lucky you might even spot a dolphin or two!

The seals are super friendly. You'll learn about responsible interaction during your briefings. Snorkellers are not allowed to touch or stroke the seals... however... that doesn't mean they won't touch you! They are very curious and like nothing better than getting nice and close to snorkellers. They'll nibble on your fins, get eye to eye with you - you might even get a hug!

This trip is an amazing way to get in the water with all the marine life that calls the Farnes home. If you're interested in learning more about sea birds, the history of the Farnes or taking a tour of the islands, check out the trips provided by our friends at Serenity Farne Islands Boat Tours. They're our skipper for your trip, but they're out exploring the Farnes every day.

It totally depends on the number of snorkelers you have joining you. We can take a maximum of 16 people at any one time, but if your group is bigger than this, we can always do multiple trips!

To give you a rough idea of prices:

Group of 8: £1,800.00 (£225.00 per person)

Group of 16: £2,800.00 (£175.00 per person)

If you get in touch with your exact numbers, we can give you a more accurate quote.

We've switched to private charters for a few key reasons – all about enhancing your experience and doing our bit for the environment. Here's the lowdown:

  1. Personalised experience: Private charters mean we can tailor the trip just for you and your group. Whether you're a bunch of snap-happy photographers or newbie snorkelers, we can adjust the pace, focus, and route to suit your vibes.
  2. Conservation at heart: Fewer snorkelers in the water means a happier and healthier home for our grey seal buddies. By limiting our trips to private groups, we reduce the environmental impact on the seals' natural habitat. It's all about watching these playful creatures in a way that respects their space and preserves their world.
  3. Quality time with the seals: With just your group and our guides in the water, you'll get a more intimate, up-close experience with the seals. No competing for the perfect view, no overcrowding – just you, your friends, and the seals hanging out.
  4. Unmatched personal attention: Smaller groups allow us to provide exceptional service and attention to every detail. Our team can focus entirely on your safety, comfort, and enjoyment, making sure your snorkel safari is nothing short of amazing.

So, while we've changed how we operate, it's all for the better – better experiences for you and better care for our ocean friends. We can't wait to take you on a private snorkel adventure that you'll remember forever!

You don't need to be experienced to snorkel with seals, but it is important that you know how to swim, you're comfortable in the sea and you have a reasonable level of fitness.

There's some important things to be aware of:

  • Although we visit shallow, sheltered snorkelling sites we are still open to the elements.
    • You will jump off the boat into deep water, and swim back to the boat to exit using a lift.
    • You will not be able to stand up during your snorkel. You will be able to see the bottom once you swim away from the boat, but we encourage all our snorkelers to stay on the surface of the water rather than disturbing the kelp and creatures that live in very shallow water.
    • Some days conditions can be a little bit rougher than others. You may experience surge, current and/or waves.
    • You may need to swim against the current for short periods of time, and there may be some waves that splash over your snorkel.
    • In the very unlikely event that the current shifts you and your group away from our snorkel area, you are not in trouble! The boat can easily pick you up.
    • We will never snorkel in dangerous conditions, but depending on your comfort levels, you may find some situations challenging.
  • Your wetsuits are super floaty and your guide will have a tow float that you are more than welcome to hold on to. You should be prepared to swim during your tour but your guide can pull you along for a short while if necessary.
  • You will be in the North Sea - it can be nippy. The water temperature will be around 12°c but your wetsuit, hoods and gloves will keep you toasty warm.

 

All of your snorkelling equipment is included in the tour. Before your snorkel safari, you need to get in touch to let us know your shoe size, your dress or t-shirt size and your height. This way we can make sure that we bring the right equipment for you to try and get comfy!

You will wear:

  • A thick 5mm - 7mm wetsuit
  • Hoods, gloves and wetsuit boots
  • Fins
  • A mask and snorkel
  • A weight belt (for those who would like to do some duck diving)
  • A buoyancy aid (for those who want to remain firmly at the surface)

Anyone from the age of 12 years old can snorkel with the seals. Under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.

Yes! If there are those in your group who aren't keen on getting in the water with the seals, they can watch them from the comfort of the boat - just let us know all your requirements when you book.

We recommend that they bring lots of warm clothes as it can get nippy topside.

Oh, and well-behaved doggos are welcome on the boat too!

If you know you're prone to seasickness, please take some appropriate medication before your trip. The journey out to the Farnes takes about half an hour, and we tend to spend some time touring the sites to choose the most suitable for your safari.

Once in the water, we find that most of our snorkellers feel much more refreshed and the sickness subsides, but worst case scenario, there is a toilet on board or head to the side of the boat!

Your trip will depart from Seahouses Harbour on a schedule that you decide.

If you're lucky, you can park on the pier itself. Not to worry if there's no spaces though, there's a couple of big carparks at the top of the hill. Regardless of where you park, it's all pay and display.

It works best if you come with your swimming cozzies already on underneath as we get changed into suits on the harbour before we get on the boat. For afters, changing robes or a big towel work well.

The trip out to the islands takes about half an hour, maybe we'll see some puffins, guillemots and even dolphins on the way! When we arrive at the site, your guides will give you a safety briefing and also go over how to interact with the seals responsibly. You'll jump in and if you want, your guides can give you some coaching on snorkelling techniques too. Then you'll head out for your guided tour and get up close and personal with the cheeky seals! We're usually in the water for about an hour but the boat is moored close by if you need it.

Depending on the site we visit, the total trip takes about 3 to 4 hours.

You can find more details about our cancellation policy plus all the other terms and conditions here.