The Farne Island Seals

The Farne Island archipelago lies approximately three miles off the Northumberland coastal town of Seahouses. Although renowned as an early Christian settlement and home of St Aiden and St Cuthbert, it also has a well-deserved reputation as a rich haven for sea life.

With over 182 species of birds, over 35,000 pairs of puffins, a colony of three to four thousand rare Atlantic grey seals and a multitude of varying marine life, these islands remain one of Britain’s gems of the natural world and a magnet for ornithologists, photographers and divers alike.

Diving in the Farne Islands is a memorable experience with many great wrecks scattered around the islands testifying to the treachery of the rocks. In addition to this attraction, the experienced diver is almost certain to encounter some of the local colony of seals. Their curiosity and playful nature draw them to investigate visiting divers more closely. It is common for inquisitive young seals to interact playfully with divers and nibble on their Scuba diving fins as they swim by. The Farne Islands are one of the best places in the UK to interact with wild seals, providing a unique experience to rival any top dive site anywhere around the world.

With numbing water temperatures that can plummet bitterly to just 4oC in the winter months, diving in this area is not for the faint-hearted. The best time is June through to July, when the water temperature can reach 14oC and diving conditions are less challenging. Waters around the archipelago are amongst the clearest in the country and contributes toward making the area a popular diving destination.

Aside from the gregarious seal colony, the Farne Islands have a vast array of life underwater. Rocks are covered in myriad crustaceans, anemones and soft corals like dead men’s fingers. Crabs, lobsters and conger eels hide in the cracks and crevices and the sea-floor is littered in urchins and starfish. Several unusual species have made the islands their home; the Wolf Fish, Lumpsucker, Norwegian Topknot, Yarrell’s Blenny, and Scorpion Fish to name a few. In the shallows, long fronds of kelp sway, providing a home for young Cod, Herring and Mackerel.

The Farne Islands are an area of outstanding beauty with dramatic scenery and a dazzling array of colourful marine life. The wealth of natural treasures both beneath the waves and on land make these islands a truly unique wildlife sanctuary. The staggering number of birds and grey seals in their natural habitat is a joy to behold, providing a beautiful and memorable experience to last a lifetime.