Diving in the Farne Islands with grey seals

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5.00 am. That was the time I put on my alarm clock that morning of early September. My drysuit and my diving equipment were ready in my bag and the 2 filled scuba diving cylinders were waiting for me in the car. At 5.30 am, after a quick coffee, I was on the road, ready to go diving in the Farnes Islands.

Even if the Farne Islands are located in Northumberland, Northern England, it is often associated with diving in Scotland for being so close to the border; which explains why I could easily drive there from the Edinburgh area in the morning in only 2 hours.

Going diving from Edinburgh to Seahouses

While the sun was rising on a beautiful day, I was crossing the Scottish border for the very first time. It is not the first time I had to wake up so early. Incredible underwater experiences often require an early start.

This time, it was to avoid severe weather coming later in the morning. This is the price of safety to go scuba diving in the United Kingdom. You need to check the weather even more than anywhere else, and adapt to the situation and sometimes cancel.

When I arrived at 7.30 am at the quiet harbour of Seahouses, Northumberland, the sky was blue and the sun was shining. It was worth going on an early drive. While the boat was sailing to the Farne Islands, 2 to 3 miles away, we enjoyed a stunning view of Bamburgh Castle. This beautiful red stone castle is just above the dunes of the kilometres-long sandy beach between Bamburgh and Seahouses.

Once we approached the red and white lighthouse, I knew we would soon arrive at the Farne Islands. The islands are a protected area for seabirds and a colony of almost 4,000 Atlantic grey seals. If you look carefully, you will see them popping their head at the surface out of curiosity.

Why the UK is one of the best places in the world to dive with seals?

There are many places in the world where you can dive with seals or sea lions. After my first experience in Puerto Madryn, Argentina, I started looking for all the destinations where I could enjoy this fun experience again.

Famous places include diving with seals in the Galapagos, Monterrey in California, and New Zealand. Yet, England is the only country with many places where you can dive with Atlantic grey seals. One of the main reason is that the United Kingdom is home to half of the world’s population of grey seals.

The Farne Islands are the highlight of Northern England, there is also Blakeney Point in Norfolk, whereas Lundy Island and the Isles of Scilly are the gems of Southern England. Being so close to the Scottish borders, diving in the Farne Islands and diving Scapa Flow are often cited together as a part of Scotland’s finest.

The Farne Islands: one of the best dive sites in the UK

The dive sites of the Farne Islands are interesting by their diversity. There is a mix of kelp forests, walls covered in sponges and sandy bottoms. I also enjoy the diverse marine life to see there: for the first time in the UK, I saw an enormous lobster. I was surprised as they are not as patient as the velvet crabs. Don’t get too close as they can be quite aggressive and won’t hesitate to show you as they use their pincers.

Between a rock and the sand, I also found a group of crayfish hanging around with a group of pink shrimps. It was a great opportunity for macro photography. I was less lucky with nudibranchs. I saw only one on my first dive hanging on a piece of kelp. Local divers told me that it was quite usual at that time of the year; if I came back in November the nudibranchs would be everywhere.

How to scuba dive with seals in the Farne Islands?

We started our scuba expedition with the deepest dive at 15m to check if the seals wanted to play there on the sandy bottom. We saw one quickly, but it is only after our exploration of the walls, once back in the shallow waters of the kelp forest that the seals were waiting for us.

I found them to be shier than the sea lions of Patagonia, but they were so curious and would come around us, especially from the back to check us out. Like the sea lions, they love nibbling fins! The brighter the fins are, the more attracted they will be. Be aware if you have bright white fins! It didn’t bother me at all, I loved it because it was great to have this playful interaction with them. I felt like playing with the dogs.

The best tips I can give you if you want to be really close to them: don’t move too much, keep your arms along your body and just move your head looking at them showing how curious you are too.

I noticed that all the divers showing their hands to them asking for a cuddle were not very successful and somehow it was scaring them. By staying still this how my camera got a seal’s kiss!

When is the best time to go scuba diving with seals in the Farne Islands?

Farne Islands can be almost dived all year-long but if you want to increase your chances of an underwater encounter with grey seals, September is the right period to go.

It seems in the summer, the grey seals prefer sunbathing in the sun than playing with divers. In September, according to explanations I got, the young seals, born the year before, are at their most playful state.

For a chance to see the pups (baby seals) with their white fur coat, November is the period of births.

What to do near Seahouses?

Seahouses is a tiny fisherman village that benefits from the sea life watching tours of the Farne Islands. As a result, it is to stay around after your dive but this is very small.

If you are travelling with non-divers, the Farne Islands are a great place where people can enjoy a seabird & seal watching tour while you are away for diving.

Many nice pubs and fish and chips restaurant around the harbour. For a change, I had a delicious lemon sole in my fish and chips at Neptune Fish Restaurant. You can also enjoy a crab sandwich or an ice cream while walking along the harbour.

The highlight of my afternoon after scuba diving was definitely the long walk I took along the long white sandy beach of Bamburgh. I had no ideas that I could find such beautiful beaches on the east coast of England.

First, you have to cross the dunes covered with wildflowers and then for kilometres, you have this huge strip of sand with a view on the Farne Islands and Bamburgh Castle fiercely standing above the dunes.

I made a final stop in the charming old town of Berwick-upon-Tweed for a coffee before heading back home in Scotland. As Edinburgh is only less than an hour driving away, I still had some time to walk along the quays. From there, there is a fantastic view of the three bridges of Berwick.

I couldn’t help but smile when I saw in the window of an old bookstore a few copies of the famous Wilson’s Tales of the Borders (and of Scotland) before getting back to my car.

Do you want to learn more about scuba diving and travelling to Scotland? Have a look at the following articles:

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Scuba diving with seals Farne Islands UK
Scuba diving with seals Farne Islands UK

Posted by Florine

  1. Hi Florine!
    Farne Islands is definitely on my list! I haven’t quite figured out how to get there?! Do the day trips leave from the mainland or do you have to be on the Farnes to start? Can you recommend staying more than a day at the Farnes to dive? I was thinking a couple of days maybe – to dive and relax and enjoy!
    Thank you so much! Happy bubbles,
    Viki

    Reply

    1. Hi Vicki! The islands are only rocks and the only inhabitants are the seals! As explained in my post, the boats leave in the morning Seahouses for a 2 tank half-day trip. If you can find a company going 2 days in a row I would say it is not too much because the dive sites are among the best in the UK if you can appreciate what cold diving is about. Regarding relaxing atmosphere, Seahouses or Bamburgh (the town with the Castle nearby, as shown in my article) are charming but super quiet so it won’t be an issue. I would recommend combining the trip with Edinburgh. Happy Bubbles with the seals, it has been one of best scuba diving experience ever!

      Reply

  2. Great article, and love the photos. I went diving with fur seals in Sydney, It was great fun. amazing creatures.

    Reply

  3. […] companies offer boat trips to see the islands. Alternatively, you can go diving with seals.  Get more information about visiting the Farne Islands […]

    Reply

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