The best places and times of year to see seals in Norfolk

Norfolk has some of the best seal watching in Britain, and you don’t need a boat to enjoy it. Grey seals haul out along the dunes at Horsey Gap, just over the sand from our Waxham Sands holiday park, while Blakeney Point further along the coast is home to England’s largest grey seal colony. From November to January, thousands of white-coated pups are born on these beaches, and there are harbour seals to spot through the summer too.

This guide covers where to go, when to go and how to watch without disturbing them, with this season’s updates, boat trip details and a Horsey Gap visitor guide. We’re a five-minute walk from the colony, so we keep a close eye on how the season is shaping up.

Updated October 2026 for the 2026/27 pupping season.

At a glance:

• Blakeney Point has England’s largest grey seal colony, with around 9,000 pups born each year, mostly between late October and mid-January, according to the National Trust.
• Horsey Gap and Winterton saw more than 3,500 pups in 2025/26, and the Friends of Horsey Seals counted 3,704 newborns by their final count on 25 December.
• Peak pupping is November to January, and the colony stays busy into February. You watch from the dunes and viewing platforms.
• Keep at least 10 metres away. Dogs must be on leads at Horsey Gap, and aren’t allowed on Blakeney Point.
• Boat trips from Morston Quay cost about £20 for an adult and £10 for a child, and last around an hour.
• Harbour seals have their pups in summer. Look for them at Blakeney and in the Wash off Hunstanton.

Seal numbers in Norfolk

The UK is home to almost half of the world’s grey seals, and Norfolk’s colonies have grown fast. At Blakeney Point the first pup was recorded in 1988, five were born in 1999 and the colony became England’s largest in 2014. It now produces around 9,000 pups a year, and 8,946 were recorded in 2023, when the National Trust moved to counting by aerial survey because the colony is too big to count on foot. The Sea Mammal Research Unit says Blakeney accounts for more than a tenth of the UK’s grey seal pups, according to a BBC report.

Along our stretch of coast, volunteer counters from the Friends of Horsey Seals walk the beach from Waxham to Winterton twice a week from early November to the end of January. Their counts show how the colony has grown:

Season	Pups counted at Horsey and Winterton
2019/20	2,069
2022/23	3,796
2024/25	3,246
2025/26	3,704 (final count, 25 December 2025)

Last season, week by week. The official counts show how fast the beach fills up. Adults peaked in early December, with 3,560 on the sand.

Week	Date	Adults	Newborn pups	Suckling
1	6 Nov 2025	536	105	4
2	13 Nov 2025	1,476	639	101
3	20 Nov 2025	1,757	1,058	485
4	27 Nov 2025	3,385	2,298	1,047
5	4 Dec 2025	3,560	3,035	1,801
6	11 Dec 2025	3,101	3,565	1,523
7 (final)	25 Dec 2025	1,155	3,704	406

For lovers of nature, there’s nothing more exciting than spotting animals in their own habitat. We still get just as excited when we see seals in our special corner of Norfolk.

When to see seals in Norfolk

You can see seals on the Norfolk coast all year round, but what you see changes with the seasons. Grey seals pup from late October to January. Harbour seals, also called common seals, pup in summer.

When	What to expect	Best place
Late October	The first grey seal pups arrive and the pupping season begins. Numbers are still low.	Horsey Gap, Blakeney Point
November	The beach fills quickly. By 27 November last season, 3,385 adults and 2,298 newborn pups had been counted at Horsey.	Horsey Gap, Winterton, Blakeney Point
December	The peak. Adults reached their highest count in early December, and many pups are suckling.	Horsey Gap, Blakeney Point
January	Pups moult their white coats and are weaned, and the last births tail off by mid-month.	Horsey Gap, Blakeney Point
February	Fewer seals on the sand, but the colony is still busy.	Horsey Gap
March to May	Adult seals rest on the beach and sandbanks. Boat trips run daily from April.	Blakeney Point, Horsey Gap
June to August	Harbour seals and their pups, plus grey seals.	Blakeney Point, the Wash off Hunstanton
September to mid-October	A quieter spell. Seals are still at Blakeney, and trips run into October.	Blakeney Point

The best time of day depends on the tide. Seals haul out onto sandbanks at low tide and slip back into the water as it rises, which is why boat trips are timed around the tides. Early morning and late afternoon are usually quieter on the beach.

Seals at Horsey Gap: how to visit

Horsey Gap, between Sea Palling and Winterton, is the easiest place in Norfolk to watch a grey seal colony from dry land. From Waxham Sands it’s about a five-minute walk over the dunes to the beach. Here’s what to know before you set off.

• Getting there and parking. Horsey Gap has a large car park with an overflow field next to it, so there is usually space even in the busy winter season. Parking is pay and display. Entry to the beach and viewing areas is free.
• The walk to the viewing platforms. During the pup season, the first platform is about a five-minute walk from the car park and the main one is five to ten minutes away. Paths can be wet and uneven in winter, so wear waterproof footwear.
• What you can and can’t do. From mid or late October to the end of January the beach is closed to protect the colony. You watch from the dunes and the designated viewing platforms.
• Wardens. Volunteer seal wardens from the Friends of Horsey Seals are often on site to answer questions and to keep seals and visitors safe. Do follow their advice.
• Dogs. Dogs are welcome all year round at Horsey Gap, but they must be on a lead during the pup season and the annual moult, and whenever seals are on the beach. More on this in our seal-safe guide below.
• Facilities. Horsey Windpump, a short drive away, has toilets, a shop and a café, with seasonal opening times.
• Longer walks. For a circular route, walk from Winterton to Horsey along the coast, then inland past Horsey Windpump and Brograve Mill.

If you’re visiting outside pup season, you may still spot seals resting on the sand or swimming along the shoreline. The same 10-metre rule applies, which the Horsey Gap team asks visitors to follow all year.

Seal boat trips: Blakeney Point and Hunstanton

Blakeney Point is a protected nature reserve, so boat trips are the best way to see its colony. The National Trust says the responsible ways to witness the pupping season are a boat trip from Morston Quay or its live webcam, and dogs aren’t allowed on the Point. Most trips last about an hour and sail with the tide.

Operator	Departs from	Adult / child price	Booking and notes
Bishop’s Boats	Morston Quay	£20 / £10 (small online booking fee)	Daily, April to October. Book online or call 01263 740753. Dogs welcome on board.
Ptarmigan	Morston Quay	£20 / £10, under 2s free	Daily from 1 April, with times set by the tide. Call 01263 740792, 8am to 5pm.
Temple’s Seal Trips	Morston Quay	£20 / £10, under 2s free, no booking fee	Collect tickets 30 minutes before departure. Book by phone on 07518 946851.
Beans Boat Trips	Morston Quay	[Norfolk team: confirm]	Check the operator’s website for times and prices.
Searles Sea Tours	Central Promenade, Hunstanton	£20 for the one-hour Seal Safari	May to October. Pre-booking required on 01485 534444. An amphibious “Wash Monster” takes you out to the sandbanks.

Prices are as listed on each operator’s website in October 2026. Some operators charge more in winter, so check when you book, and book ahead in school holidays and during pupping season.

You can also walk to the Point along the shingle from Cley. It’s hard going and depends on the tide, and the seal areas are fenced off in pupping season. If you can’t get there in person, the National Trust runs a livestream of the colony during the season, which you’ll find on its Blakeney Point pages.

Other places to spot seals on the Norfolk coast

Hunstanton. You’ll mostly see seals here from a boat, on the sandbanks of the Wash at low tide. It’s a lovely stop for a west-facing sunset too.

Winterton-on-Sea. As the Horsey colony has grown, more seals have spread south along this stretch. A sandy stroll between Winterton and Horsey is one of the most natural ways to see them, though there are fewer here than at Horsey. Keep dogs on leads, or walk them towards Hemsby, where the dog-friendly Lacon Arms welcomes you off the beach.

Waxham. The beach runs straight on from Horsey, so seals often rest on the shoreline here too. It’s right on the doorstep of Waxham Sands, so you can wander over the dunes without getting in the car. Please stay at least 10 metres back. We ask guests to keep dogs on leads on our stretch of beach and on the park all year.

Sea Palling. Its Blue Flag beach sees fewer seals on the sand and more in the water, so bring binoculars. It’s about a 25-minute beachside walk from Waxham Sands. Dogs should stay on a lead here too.

Grey seals and harbour seals: how to tell them apart

Norfolk has two kinds of seal. Look at the size, the nose and the pups, and you’ll soon know which you’re watching.

	Grey seal	Harbour (common) seal
Size	Larger	Smaller
Face	Long, straight nose and a flat head profile	Short, rounded face with a curved profile and V-shaped nostrils
Colour	Grey or fawn, with males darker and less speckled than females	Light brown or grey
Pups	Born with white fur from late October to January	Born in summer
How they rest	Sprawled on beaches and dunes	Often curled in a “banana” pose on sandbanks
Where in Norfolk	Horsey, Winterton, Blakeney Point	Blakeney Point, the Wash off Hunstanton

The grey seal’s Latin name, Halichoerus grypus, translates as “hook-nosed sea pig”, which is a fair description of that long nose. Harbour seals are the rarer sight: the Sea Mammal Research Unit has reported that they declined by around 25% over five years in south-east England, according to the National Trust, which makes a summer sighting extra special.

How to watch Norfolk’s seals safely

Grey seals are protected by law from disturbance during their breeding season, and disturbance can separate a mother from her pup. A few simple habits keep everyone safe.

• Stay at least 10 metres away. Seals are wild and will bite if approached, and a bite can cause an infection known as seal finger.
• Never chase a seal or pup towards the water. Pups are white and not waterproof until their first moult, so they can drown.
• Stay up the beach. Mothers leave their pups on the sand while they feed at sea, so don’t block the route between them.
• Don’t panic about a pup on its own. The National Trust says this is usually normal, as pups are left to fend for themselves once they’re weaned. If a seal looks injured or in distress, keep your distance and tell a warden.
• Leave the frisbees at home. Ring-shaped toys are a choking risk for curious seals.
• Take a boat trip where you can. It’s the kindest way to see a large colony up close.
• Follow the wardens. Friends of Horsey Seals volunteers are on the beach throughout the season.

At Waxham Sands, our seal nurses are trained in seal safety by the Friends of Horsey Seals, so you can ask them anything when you stay.

Dogs and seals

The rules depend on where you are:

• Horsey Gap: dogs are welcome all year round, but must be on a lead during the pup season and the annual moult, and whenever seals are on the beach.
• Blakeney Point: dogs aren’t allowed on the Point, though some boat operators welcome them on board.
• Waxham Sands: we ask guests to keep dogs on leads on our stretch of beach and on the park all year.

If your dog is hard to recall or excitable, pupping season is a good time to give the seal viewing platforms a miss and walk the beaches towards Hemsby instead. The seals will be glad of the peace, and your dog will be safe from a very protective mother.

Stay a while in Norfolk

At Waxham Sands, you step over the dunes and you’re on the beach at Horsey Gap, with no need to get in the car. Whether it’s a quick weekend or a fortnight, you can book a tent or tourer pitch and make watching the seals part of your morning routine.

Our ownership park, Golden Beach, is just up the road in Sea Palling. Four-legged friends are welcome at both parks, and both back onto some of the best dog-friendly beaches in Norfolk, as long as the seal rules above are followed.

Explore holidays and holiday home ownership in Norfolk

FAQs about spotting seals in Norfolk

Where is the best place to see seals in Norfolk?

For watching from dry land, Horsey Gap is hard to beat, especially during pup season. For the biggest colony in England, take a boat trip to Blakeney Point from Morston Quay.

When do seal pups arrive in Norfolk?

Grey seal pups are born from late October to January, with the busiest weeks in late November and early December. Harbour seal pups arrive in summer.

Are there seals at Horsey Gap all year round?

Yes, you can see seals at Horsey Gap throughout the year, though numbers are small outside the pupping season. In season, the Friends of Horsey Seals publish their counts on their website each week.

Can you see seals in Norfolk without a boat?

Yes. Horsey Gap’s viewing platforms, Winterton, Waxham and Sea Palling all offer views from land. Boats are the best way to see the colony at Blakeney Point.

Is it free to see the seals at Horsey Gap?

Watching the seals costs nothing. You only pay for parking, which is pay and display.

Can I take my dog to see the seals?

At Horsey Gap, dogs are welcome on a lead, and they must be on a lead during pup season and the moult. Dogs aren’t allowed on Blakeney Point, although some boat operators allow them on board.

How many seal pups are born in Norfolk each year?

Around 9,000 are born at Blakeney Point, and more than 3,500 were born between Horsey and Winterton in 2025/26.

Can you walk to the seals at Blakeney Point?

You can walk along the shingle from Cley, but it’s tiring and tide-dependent, and the main colony is fenced off in pupping season. A boat trip is the easiest way to see it.

You might also like…

• Seals aren’t the only wildlife on this coast. Our Norfolk wildlife spotting guide covers the rest.
• Fancy a longer stretch of sand and dune? Try our five favourite coastal walks in Norfolk.
• Cold hands after a day on the dunes? Warm up with our guide to the best places to eat in Norfolk.
• Bringing the dog along? Our top 8 dog friendly things to do in Norfolk go beyond the beach.
• Staying longer? Find more ideas in the best things to do in Norfolk.