On any of the beaches nearby to Hemsby, and Hemsby beach itself you might spot some heads popping up in the water as seals swim in the sea. There have also been porpoises spotted on our very own coastline!
With Norfolks flat sands and shallow waters, Norfolk beaches are also the perfect place for seals to give birth in the safety of the dunes which you see lining the beach. During the Winter months, you can see the seals and their pups in their thousands on the beaches and it truly is an amazing sight. In the Summer months, we would recommend a boat trip from Blakeney. Read on to find out the best beaches and times of year to see the seals in Norfolk and their beautiful pups.
Horsey Gap/Horsey Beach
Famous for its unique seal colony, a visit to Horsey is a must. Behind the beach you’ll find a breathtaking heather-lined coastal footpath, and in fact this stretch of coastline is part of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, renowned for its stunning scenery and wildlife. In cooler months from November to February, a colony of grey seals come onto the beach at Horsey to breed. Around half of the world’s population of grey seals can be found in Britain, and the Horsey colony is one of the most accessible ways to see seals and pups in their natural habitat.
We’d recommend stopping at the Nelson Head pub on your route!
Waxham Beach
Waxham beach is just along the road from Horsey and offers a much quieter place to see the seals from. With the same miles of Sandy beach, and hundreds of seals with their newborn pups, Waxham beach is a great beach to visit the seals without the crowds which can gather at Horsey in the key months.
The best time to see the seals at Waxham Beach is during the colder months, between November to February.
Blakeney Point
Blakeney point, just off the coast of Hunstanton is about an hours drive from Belle Aire, Hemsby. You can see the seals from Blakeney point all year round, however!
June – August are your best chances to see pups at Blakeney point, but you can visit the seals all year round here and boat trips run 52 weeks a year