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ST IVES BEST BOAT TRIPS - CATAMARANS & RIBS

ST IVES BEST BOAT TRIPS - CATAMARANS & RIBS

Your Guide to Seals in St Ives Bay

Britain’s waters are home to both grey seals and the rarer common seal, with grey seals being a frequent sight on our St Ives safari trips. With nearly half of the world’s grey seal population found here, these charismatic marine mammals are a true highlight of Cornwall’s coastline.
View seals at Seal Island St Ives

There are two main species of seal living in the seas around the British Isles: the grey seal and the common seal. Despite its name, the common seal is actually less common than the grey seal but both can found around the coastline and are protected species.

Other seals occasionally visiting British waters include the harp seal, the ringed seal and the hooded seal, but it’s doubtful you’ll see these on your boat trip from St Ives.

Although common seal sightings in Cornwall are rare, grey seals are a regular sighting on our safari trips. Just under half of the world’s grey seal population lives in the waters around Britain, and their numbers have doubled since the 1960s. Check out our grey seal FAQs to find out more.

Grey Seal numbers in the UK have recovered from a huge decline when they were previously hunted and have now reached steady numbers. Here in the UK, the conservation status of resident seals is considered to be of least concern. Even though they are rare, they are not endangered but they are a protected species. Elsewhere in the world, some species are endangered and their natural habitats are under continual threat.