Watching seals in the Bay of the Somme

Published on July 29, 2024 at 4:00 pm

The Bay of the Somme is a complex, rich but fragile ecosystem, home to a huge number of animal species. No doubt because it is the largest mammal, but even more because of its unusual appearance and its friendly, playful side, the seal is the real star of the region. Taking advantage of the ebb and flow of the tides, seals can sometimes be seen alone, fishing in the strong currents of the bay at high tide, and often in herds, gathered on an exposed sandbank when the sea recedes at low tide. It's not difficult to spot the seals, simply by taking a stroll around the Pointe du Hourdel, for example: the largest colony in France can be found on the shores of Picardy, with a mix of 400 calf seals and 200 grey seals. These two species live side by side with curious walkers, but always from a safe distance: it's forbidden to get closer than 300 metres!

Summary

Meet the seals of the Bay of the Somme
Seals in the Bay of the Somme: observation... from a distance!
Practical information

Meet the seals of the Bay of the Somme

The Bay of the Somme is an exceptional natural theatre, where we are merely spectators. At both high and low tide, you can admire the largest seal colony in France: 400 harbour seals and 200 grey seals take refuge here, in this fabulous natural territory.

Calf seal herd in the Bay of the Somme

It is possible to observe this colony throughout the year. Autumn is mating season, so you'll be very lucky to see the large males frolicking and moving from one female to another in the hope of mating with her. In winter and spring, the young are here! In summer, when the weather is fine and the tides are high, there are plenty of opportunities to go out and meet the seals.

A mother and her child

At high tide, the seals dive, hunt and let themselves be carried by the coastal currents: from the beach, one or more heads can often be seen sticking out of the water, before disappearing.

At low tide, large numbers of seals can be seen basking on resting places, i.e. emerged sandbanks. As well as recharging their batteries, they live out their lives there: giving birth, suckling their young, moulting... An irresistible sight for all nature lovers, but this is their territory, so be very careful and don't get too close.

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Seals in the Bay of the Somme: observation... from a distance!

Along the coasts of the bay, when you see these little round heads rising from the waves or dawdling at the water's edge, it's very tempting to go and visit them. But for the well-being of the colony, prevention and distance are paramount.

This is the message that the Picardie Nature association wants to get across. It is reporting that more and more walkers are getting too close to the seals to touch them, take photos of them, take selfies or even hug them. Some curious people even think that the seals are stranded and in danger.

Remote observation of a seal herd

So to observe seals without harming them, all you have to do is keep one simple rule in mind: always keep more than 300 metres away.

If you approach a small herd resting at low tide, you run the risk of scaring off some, if not all, of the seals, causing them fear and stress. Some females will not return to find their young, while in the case of the youngest and weakest, this extra expenditure of energy can be fatal to their survival.

Practical information

🤔 What are the things you need to know before embarking on seal watching?

Seals are a protected species and any disturbance of the animals at low tide is punishable by a fine.
Keep a distance of at least 300 metres or more from pups, as mothers may flee without returning to fetch their young.
Do not approach a seal stranded on the beach, do not intervene, keep your distance and do not touch it. Contact the Observatoire Pélagis, the organisation that coordinates the Réseau National Échouage (RNE) stranding network, on 05 46 44 99 10.

📍 Where and how can I see seals in the Bay of the Somme?

The essential meeting place for seal-watching is at the Pointe du Hourdel, which closes off the south of the Bay of the Somme.

Away from the small port, along the long pebble beach as far as the old blockhouse and beyond, seals can be observed with the naked eye, or even better with binoculars. They are easiest to see at low tide, when the animals are static, resting on the sandy foreshore. At high tide, it's common to see a head out of the water, looking at you curiously from out to sea.

🌊 However, beware of tide times:

the sea can retreat a long way at Le Hourdel, delivering vast stretches of sandbanks and mudflats. On this flat area, where mudflats and natural channels form, the sea rises quickly, easily trapping unwary walkers caught up in seal watching...

When the tide rises and the Bay of the Somme fills up, seals can be seen directly around the small ports of Le Crotoy and Saint-Valery. They also regularly swim off the pebble beaches of Cayeux-sur-Mer, or at the opposite end of the scale, on the large sandy expanses of Marquenterre.

Even further north, the Baie d'Authie, a kind of smaller replica of the Baie de Somme, is also home to a large colony of seals, which are easy to observe. The Baie d'Authie is on the border with the Somme, between Fort-Mahon and Berck, on the Pas-de-Calais side.

👉 Guided seal-watching outings on foot

Several guides offer their services to observe seals in the Baie de Somme in small groups, a fun and instructive way to discover these animals in the company of real local enthusiasts.

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👉 Observation trip at sea to watch the seals by kayak

A recommended option, as it's the best way to get close to the seals without disturbing them...

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Kayak Club Baie des Phoques
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by Lena COLLINS

Need a hand? take a look at our guide

Somme