Seal Safari Boat Trip in Chichester Harbour – 3 hours
Experience the wonderful seals and natural beauty of Chichester Harbour with a seal safari trip on our eco-friendly solar-powered boat, Solar Heritage. A trip aboard offers a quiet and peaceful way to enjoy the harbour and the perfect way to observe the harbour seals and grey seals in their natural habitat. One of our wonderful seal experts will be on board to provide commentary as you travel and answer any questions you may have. The boat is open-sided offering superb views of the seals and the beautiful panoramic harbour landscape. There is a large, stable deck and freedom to move around once the trip is underway. The schedule is planned with our lead seal expert to provide optimum viewing conditions.
Information about Seal Safari boat trips
- Recommended for ages 8+
- Seal expert on board to provide commentary as you travel and answer your questions.
- We are a wildlife-aware organisation with WISE accreditation helping you enjoy the seals whilst ensuring they get the space they need.
- Seal Safaris run during the warmer months (April until October) giving these important mammals a break over their critical pupping and moulting seasons (mid-June to mid-July and August) as advised for seal welfare.
- Please dress very warmly with layers as it always feels cooler on the water.
- Numbers are capped for our seal trips so as to ensure everyone is able to get a good view.
About Chichester Harbour Seals
Chichester Harbour is home to the largest seal population in the Solent. As the only rookery in the Eastern English Channel our Seals are considered regionally unique and very important.
The seals in Chichester Harbour visit as the area offers an ideal habitat – it’s fairly quiet with a good deal of mud and sand to rest on. There’s also plenty of food including fish and crustaceans.
The time seals spend resting on the mudflats is essential to their health; they can’t digest food whilst in the water, and the “haul out” is when seals get their sleep, socialise and feed their pups.
What to look for
Each seal’s coat is uniquely marked, it’s very own pattern of spots and blotches. Their colourings can vary too – from tan to grey, black and brown. Female seals are generally smaller than males and have a longer lifespan. The seals in Chichester Harbour can be seen anywhere – they’ve even been known to swim into the marinas and take a nap on the swimming platforms of moored boats!
We know that visitors like to see the seals but, if they are continually disturbed, they may choose to leave the Harbour altogether so taking part in a Seal Safari boat trip is a good way to spot these important mammals whilst reducing the disturbance on wildlife. By respecting their space, we hope that the seals will stay in Chichester Harbour for years to come.
Seal Safari information and prices
Trips run from April until October only.
Adult £27 | Child under 16 £13.50
Gift vouchers are available.
Recommended minimum age 8 years