Seal Colony ECO Tour

Harwich, Essex
"Despite the weather not being terribly kind I had a really enjoyable trip. I was surprised about the number of..."
(20 customer reviews)
Common harbour seals on the Seal Colony Eco Tour by kayak Sit-on-top kayaks on the beach during a break on the seal colony Eco tour NOMAD Sea Kayaking sit-on-top and decked kayaks ready for our trip to the seal colony. Guests clearing trash from a sandy beach on the seal colony eco tour Sit-on-top kayaks & touring kayaks on the grass awaiting paddlers for the seal colony eco tour A small group of guests preparing to launch for the seal colony eco tour Sea kayaks on sandy beach for the guided seal colony eco tour by kayak. Stable sit-on-top kayak showing the rudder. A sea kayak of one of the guides to the wild seal colony Jack Russell sitting in a sea kayak. NOMAD Sea Kayaking's Baba Kraken motif.

Seal Colony ECO Tour

Duration: 4-5 hrs. Distance: +/- 8nm. Group Size: 6-12. Guided: Yes. Guide Ratio: 5:1. Incl: Kayak, paddle & buoyancy aid. Skills: Beginner. Fitness: Basic to Mid. Age: 16+

£109.99 p/seat

Your Adventure Awaits: Immerse yourself in the unparalleled magic of a wild seal colony. Join us for a tour guided by two decades of expertise, where every stroke of your paddle leads to moments of wonder & connection with nature.

Immerse yourself in the majesty of a wild Seal Colony, a realm reserved for those who dare to venture beyond the ordinary. 

Discover the Extraordinary: A Guided Sea Kayaking to a Wild Seal Colony!

Embark on an exclusive adventure with our guided sea kayaking tours, revealing the enchanting world of a wild seal colony along the captivating east coast of England. This is more than a tour; it's a unique experience that has captivated adventurers for almost two decades.

Limited Spaces, High Demand:

  • Secure your spot for this once-in-a-lifetime expedition! With limited places available & limited dates dictated by prevailing tides, demand is high.
  • We cannot take cash bookings at launch as our events are usually fully booked to capacity.
  • Act swiftly – spaces are filled weeks in advance, and with each passing tide, opportunities diminish. Don't miss your chance to join the ranks of those who have experienced the magic of our professionally guided sea kayaking tours.
  • Our tours are highly sought after, and the anticipation builds with each passing day. The window of opportunity is narrow, and reservations are snapped up quickly.

Proven Expertise:

  • Rely on our 19 years of trading experience in guiding sea kayaking tours. Our expert team of British Canoe and I.S.K.G.A trained guides ensures a safe and memorable expedition every time.
  • Immerse yourself in the expertise of professionals who have meticulously crafted & perfected this unique tour for nearly two decades.

Unrivaled Experience:

  • Join the privileged few who have witnessed the wonders of a wild seal colony with their own eyes. This is not just a tour; it's an unparalleled encounter with nature that leaves an indelible mark on your soul.
  • Uncover the secrets of Grey & Harbour seals, observing their inquisitive behaviour in their natural habitat. It's an educational journey amidst breathtaking beauty.

Limited Availability, Maximum Adventure:

  • The only sea kayaking tour of its kind on the east coast of England, spaces are scarce, and every date is a precious opportunity to be part of this exclusive experience.
  • Offset your Carbon Footprint & contribute to a greener future, all while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Act Now! Secure Your Seat in Nature's Theater:

  • Our Interaction Policy, in place for over 18 years, ensures minimal stress on both seals & paddlers. The colony approaches us, creating an authentic & unforgettable experience.
  • Dive into tranquility, beauty, and the thrill of exploration with a professionally guided sea kayaking tour that has stood the test of time. Book now & become part of an elite group who have basked in the splendour of a wild Seal Colony, a truly extraordinary opportunity waiting just for you!

For a COUPLE discount of 10% click here!
For a GROUP discount of 20% see here!

Would you like to paddle as much as you like & as often as you want? Take a look at our Membership

Karen Tarling

July 10th 2021

What an amazing day - the seals are gorgeous and came so close. A very welcoming group with lovely, helpful instructors ( and not a hint of criticism because I had mistakenly thought we were starting from Walton and arrived late 😬🤣 ). The only negative was that the kayaks were heavy to paddle. Thank you all 😁

Steven Danylenko

July 10th 2021

This is my second time on this trip and it wont be my last, no 2 trips are the same, conditions vary so much, so times the weather can be tough on us making the trip harder but so rewarding once you arrive at the colony, but other times the weather can be so calm and the ocean like a mirror, when i arrived for my latest trip the weather was glum with rain forcast but it made the conditions just perfect with some amazing cloud formations and a little rain cooling me down on a calm mirror like sea which was bliss, the seals were out on the banks this time too so no blue skys and baking sun is not always best. Thanks to the Nomad team another great day in my kayak👍

Myra VanInwegen

July 10th 2021

This is the third of fourth time I've done this trip. I love it because it's a good distance so I get a bit of a workout, and it's always great to see the seals. They pop up their heads, look at you for a bit, and then go back underwater. This time, for the first time, I saw pups swimming with their mums, so we'd see seal heads in pairs - one big and one small. So cute!

Fabian Poppenwimmer

May 29th 2021

The communication was good, great kayaks and seeing the seals was a real highlight. The trip itself was not what I expected. On the homepage, it says that no previous experience is necessary and that participants don’t even have to know how to swim. We spend more than three hours in rough seas with strong winds and the current constantly pulling. In my opinion, this is definitely no trip for beginners. We struggled to keep up the pace and later heard that another member of our group had to rest on a beach midway because they were so exhausted. The guides were nice and helpful but expected the group to keep up with their pace. Overall a good trip for experienced Kayakers but not suitable for beginners.

This is our longest trip, some 8-9 nautical miles in total with anything from 3-5 hours on the water. I can confirm that no particular skills are needed for this trip & there is a ratio of 5:1 guests to (full time) Guides so it is indeed appropriate for beginners. The pace is determined by the tide & when it turns to ebb. Sea conditions are changeable due to turning tides & changeable weather & the latter is outside of our control. I remember that you both finished just fine on the day with big smiles & we appreciate you taking the time to feedback. P.S. It's kayaking, no swimming required.

Nomad

Location

Launch location

West End Lane Car Park, Dovercourt, CO12 3FA

Next Departure time

6th April 2024, 9:15 AM

Equipment

Sit-on-top kayak, paddle & buoyancy aid included.

Parking

Pay and display.

Additional Notes

NB: We cannot take cash bookings at launch as our events are usually fully booked to capacity.

Please bring along extra warm clothing, hat, gloves et cetera, whatever you need to stay warm. In very hot weather please bring a sun hat, sun cream, sunglasses. We recommend leaving your electronics onshore unless it is waterproofed and secured. The more expensive the item, the quicker it sinks!! We offer Peli waterproof hard cases for rent that will guarantee they do not get wet or damaged. Please select your Peli waterproof box when placing your booking.

NOTE: This is a wild seal colony & as such can be difficult to reach due to tides, weather or group ability. N.S.K. cannot guarantee that we will reach the seal colony at every event. The Lead Guide may, at his/her discretion, make adjustments to the route &/or distance in the interest of safety & to provide the best possible experience for the guests. This is at the discretion of the Lead Guide responsible for the event.

Sixteen years of age and over.