Seal spotting on the Coast
You can go from along to see more seals on the Flemish Coast & Opal Coast. They can be seen at their best when resting on a sandbank. A great idea for an outing with the family. By the way, did you know that a seal normally lives to about 25 years old (although there have been cases of as many as 30 years) and are actually solitary animals?
In these places you have a good chance of seeing them at relatively close range :
- Ostend, Belgium: 't Klein Strand, breakwaters
- Nieuwpoort, Belgium: harbor channel
- Dunkirk, Opal Coast: lighthouse "Feu de Saint-Pol"
- Berck, Opal Coast: Marina (see for example the photos on Tourisme Côte d'Opale)
Wikipedia page on seals ( Dutch-language - French-language)
Natuurpunt article on seals.
Want to know where recently seals were effectively spotted by nature lovers: see observations.be.
Tip 1: If you want to learn more about the life of seals, you can also visit SEA LIFE seal sanctuary in Blankenberge. If you see a washed up, injured, ... seal you can always call their SOS Rescue Team: this is the number of the seal phone: 0477345890. See also the Facebook page "Ostend, keeper of the seals".
Tip #2: Never approach seals from too close. There have been cases where the mother abandons her baby seal because she was startled by people coming too close. Keep your distance! It is recommended to keep at least 30 meters distance. So for photographers, bring your telephoto lens (at least a 400 mm is recommended).
Tip 3: the best times to spot seals is about 1.5 to 2 hours before high tide. If you want to know if it is low or high tide, consult for example this website (in the upper right corner you can enter the name of the seaside town). Some examples: Ostend, Nieuwpoort, Berck and Dunkirk.
Tip 4: Remember that seals are wild animals. They look very cuddly but have sharp teeth! If you have a dog along (which is not recommended), be sure to keep him/her on a leash!
Location: Newport (Harbour channel)
Location: Lighthouse "Feu de Saint-Pol" (Digue de Braek in Dunkirk):
Indication of "Feu de Saint-Pol" on Google Maps.
Find here when the tide will be low: tide table for Dunkirk.
Photos of the seals (and other maritime photos) taken at this lighthouse:
