What should you do if you meet seals or dolphins on an activity day? Stay calm, keep your distance and let the animals decide whether to come closer. Never chase them.
Britain’s coast is home to grey and common seals, harbour porpoises, dolphins, basking sharks and huge numbers of seabirds. Seeing them is one of the best parts of being on the water, and it is easy to do it without causing harm.
The general rules
- Keep your distance and approach slowly and from the side, never head on
- Never chase, surround or try to touch wildlife
- Do not feed animals
- Keep noise down and avoid sudden movements
- Leave if the animals seem to be getting nervous, such as seals going into the water or birds flying off
Seals
Seals come ashore to rest, to moult and to have pups. Grey seal pups are born in autumn and early winter on many UK coasts. A pup alone on a beach may look abandoned but is often just waiting for its mother. Do not approach it or move it, and keep dogs well away. If you are worried, contact the British Divers Marine Life Rescue.
Dolphins, porpoises and whales
Let them come to you. Boat operators who take wildlife trips should follow a code of conduct, and guides on the water know the local rules. If you are on a paddleboard or kayak, stop paddling and keep still when animals are near.
Seabirds
Cliff ledges and islands can hold huge numbers of nesting birds in spring and summer. Do not paddle or climb close enough to make birds leave their nests. Even a brief disturbance can lose a chick to a gull.
Divers and snorkellers
If you dive, look without touching, keep good buoyancy so you do not damage seabed life, and never take shells or live animals. Our scuba safety guide covers the safety side.
Wildlife watching codes
Scotland has a Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code, and similar codes exist for other parts of the UK. Ask your provider which one they follow.
In short:
- Stay back, stay quiet and never chase
- Do not touch seal pups or move them
- Ask your provider which wildlife code they use