The Farne Islands Diving Guide: Swimming with 5,000 Grey Seals
Complete guide to diving the Farne Islands: grey seal encounters, best sites, seasonal timing, logistics, and what to expect in this UK diving gem.
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Take Our QuizTwenty-eight small islands off Northumberland. Five thousand grey seals. Some of the best marine life encounters in British waters.
The Farne Islands offer UK diving's most reliable wildlife experience.
The Seal Experience
Grey seals at the Farnes are curious and playful. During October-December pupping season, juvenile seals approach divers readily.
Expect seals to nibble your fins, pull your mask straps, swim loops around you. They're investigating. Powerful jaws mean don't touch them, but they're not aggressive.
Adult seals are warier but still interactive. Bulls can be territorial during breeding season (avoid May). Females with pups protective but generally tolerant of divers maintaining distance.
Underwater seal behaviour: Seals will approach within touching distance (resist temptation). They perform barrel rolls, blow bubbles, make eye contact. Interactions typically last 10-20 minutes before seals lose interest.
Best strategy: Stay still or move slowly. Rapid movements scare seals away. Cameras attract seal attention (they investigate housings).
Best Time to Dive
October-December: Peak seal season. Pupping brings 5,000+ seals to islands. Juvenile seals most playful and curious. Water temperature 10-12°C (drysuit recommended). Visibility improves to 8-12m (vs summer 4-8m).
June-September: Warmer water (14-16°C, 7mm wetsuit possible). Longer days. Seals less interactive. Plankton blooms reduce visibility. More crowded.
January-March: Coldest water (8-10°C), roughest seas, but excellent visibility and continued seal activity. Challenging but rewarding for experienced cold water divers.
Avoid May: Breeding season disturbance regulations limit diving.
Dive Sites
Typical depths: 12-20m. Moderate depths suitable for Advanced Open Water divers.
Bottom composition: Rocky reefs, kelp forests, scattered boulders. Natural terrain rather than wrecks.
Currents: Can be strong on some sites. Slack water timing important. Operators know the tides.
Vis varies by season: 4-8m summer (plankton), 8-12m autumn/winter (clearer).
Sites are boat-accessed from Seahouses. Short boat rides (15-30 minutes typically).
Certification Requirements
Minimum: PADI Open Water or BSAC Ocean Diver.
Drysuit experience: Strongly recommended for autumn/winter (water 8-12°C). Some operators require it.
Logged dives: 15-20 minimum. Good buoyancy control essential (seals approach controlled divers, flee from thrashing beginners).
UK diving experience preferred but not mandatory. Operators offer checkout dives if needed.
Costs
Weekend Farne Islands trip:
Two-dive boat trip: £80-120 per trip Accommodation (Seahouses): £60-100/night B&B Equipment rental (if needed): drysuit £30-40, BCD £15, regulator £20
Typical weekend (2 boat trips, 2 nights): £250-350 with own gear, £350-500 with rentals.
Day trips possible from Newcastle/Edinburgh (1.5-2 hours drive).
Marine Life Beyond Seals
European lobsters: Bright blue, hiding in crevices. Common on rocky reefs.
Edible crabs, velvet swimming crabs: Abundant.
Wrasse: Ballan wrasse most common, colourful and curious.
Conger eels: Occasional sightings in rocky holes.
Jellyfish: Summer months (June-August), especially barrel jellyfish and moon jellyfish.
Anemones, starfish, sea urchins: Covering rock surfaces.
The Farnes are about wildlife encounters more than dramatic terrain. Seals are the stars, but the reef ecosystem is rich.
Practical Tips
Book operators in advance: Peak autumn seal season fills quickly. Try Farne Island Divers, Billy Shiels, or other Seahouses operators.
Bring camera: GoPro or underwater camera. Seal interactions are once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities.
Respect the seals: Don't touch, don't chase, don't feed. Let them approach you.
Buoyancy matters: Good control means you hover calmly. Seals investigate calm divers. Poor control scares them.
The Farne Islands aren't technically demanding. No deep dives, no penetration, no strong currents on most sites. But the wildlife experience rivals tropical diving for wonder and beats it for accessibility (2-hour drive from major UK cities vs international flight).
Products Mentioned in This Guide
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Start the QuizFrequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to dive with seals at the Farne Islands?
October to December offers the best seal interactions: grey seal pupping season brings 5,000+ seals to the islands, curious young seals approach divers readily (unlike wary adults), and underwater visibility improves to 8-12m (vs 4-8m summer). Water temperature drops to 10-12°C requiring drysuit. June to September provides warmer water (14-16°C, wetsuit possible) and longer days, but seals are less interactive and visibility is reduced due to plankton blooms. Avoid May (breeding season disturbance). January to March sees rougher seas and coldest water (8-10°C) but excellent visibility and seal activity. Book with operators in Seahouses (Billy Shiels, Farne Island Divers) 2-3 months ahead for autumn seal season.
What is diving with grey seals like at the Farne Islands?
Extraordinary. Grey seals are naturally curious and will approach divers, especially juveniles during October-December pupping season. Expect seals to nibble your fins, pull your mask, and swim loops around you. They're playful but have powerful jaws (don't touch or chase them). Dives are typically 12-18m depth on rocky reefs and kelp forests. Visibility varies 4-12m depending on season and conditions. Water temperature 8-16°C depending on season. Most interactions happen in first 15 minutes of dive while seals are curious. Stay still or move slowly; rapid movements scare them. Bring a GoPro or underwater camera (seals love camera housings). The experience rivals tropical diving for wonder but requires UK cold water skills.
What certification do you need to dive the Farne Islands?
PADI Open Water or BSAC Ocean Diver minimum, though some operators prefer Advanced Open Water or Sport Diver. Depths are moderate (12-20m typically) but strong currents and low visibility require good skills. Drysuit experience strongly recommended for autumn/winter diving (water 8-12°C). If you only have warm water experience, book a checkout dive first. UK certification or recent UK diving experience preferred. Many operators offer "Discover Diving with Seals" experiences for non-certified people (shore-based, shallow, with instructor). Children 12+ can dive with family if certified. No wreck penetration or advanced skills required, but buoyancy control matters (seals approach controlled divers, flee from thrashing beginners).
How much does it cost to dive the Farne Islands?
Two-dive boat trip: £80-120 depending on operator and season. Equipment rental (if needed): drysuit £30-40, BCD £15, regulator £20, weights and tanks included. Accommodation in Seahouses: £60-100 per night B&B, £40-80 Airbnb/hostel. Typical weekend trip for diver with own gear: £250-350 (2 boat trips, 2 nights accommodation, food, fuel from Newcastle/Edinburgh). Add £100-150 for equipment rental if needed. Cheaper than Scapa Flow but still requires travel to Northumberland coast. Some operators offer multi-dive packages (£200 for 3 days, 6 dives). Peak autumn seal season (October-November) books out early; summer has more availability and lower prices. Day trips possible from Newcastle (1.5 hours drive).
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