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Seal Watching Boat Trips with Brownes Thames Estuary - London

Seal Watching Boat Trips with Brownes Thames Estuary

Frinton-on-Seaeasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

2 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for most ages and fitness levels; minimal physical exertion required boarding and aboard the boat.

Overview

Step aboard the "Starfish" for a 2-hour wildlife boat trip in the Thames Estuary, spotting inquisitive harbor and Grey seals near Southend Pier. A unique adventure with panoramic scenery and photo-ready moments awaits.

Southend-on-Sea, England

Seal Trips (Off & around Southend Pier)

For all ages! • 2 hours • Great for photos and videos! • From £400.00

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About This Adventure

Embark on a thrilling 2-hour boat trip aboard "Starfish" to explore the stunning Thames Estuary, home to inquisitive harbor and Grey seals. Experience the excitement of wildlife spotting while enjoying the beautiful scenery. With opportunities for photography and refreshments, this adventure promises unforgettable moments on the water.

A fantastic trip at sea to see the Seals off our local coastline.


##We highly recommend you contacting us by email or phone before making this booking to check availability & tidal heights Email info@brownesthamesestuaryboattrips.co.uk or call +44 7590637233

Rates:

  • Starfish: £400.00 (cost is for 6 passengers. Add additional passengers up to 9 in total for £60.00 per person) Minimum hire charge of £400.00 applies.

Duration:

2 hours

Please Note:

You must e-mail: info@brownesthamesestuaryboattrips.co.uk to arrange the departure time & pick up point.

About:

Home to harbor seals and Grey seals, the Thames Estuary is home to some of the friendliest and most charismatic seals and they are always very inquisitive around the boat. We cannot guarantee you will see the seals but we are seeing more and more of them lately!

Important Notice: These trips are not guaranteed to see the seals each time. Unfortunately we cannot control the nature of the sea. We will try our very best to find them.**

Join me, Angus the skipper and our beautiful boat “Starfish”(9 seats) for a memorable day on the river.

More info:

Hopefully we will get to see some wildlife (ie: seals & birds) & big container ships out at sea.

We have a small toilet on board Starfish. We kindly ask that you go before we depart if possible.

All safety procedures and practices: When you come aboard Starfish a brief 5 minutes safety talk will be given before we set out to sea. Life jackets will be provided to those that choose to wear them (optional). Under 16`s by law must wear them at all times while onboard our boats.

What you can bring:

Please bring appropriate clothing to suit the weather of your trip. Hats, sunglasses, sun cream, waterproofs, woolly hat, towel & change of clothes. The weather can change very quickly out at sea so please be prepared for everything. We provide Guy Cotten waterproof jackets/smocks onboard if needed.

Please bring a plastic bin bag to take ALL of your rubbish home with you & do not throw any litter into the sea.

You can also bring your own but ALL food & drink must be consumed outside on deck & not in the wheelhouse. There are no cooking facilities onboard. Alcohol is allowed in moderation. Lots of water is a good option to keep you hydrated at sea.

If you have a camera or binoculars you are very welcome to bring them out as there will be some great photo/video opportunities.

Places to Eat & Drink:

We are offering an afternoon Tea onboard our boats at £18.00 per person from Sara's Tea Gardens in Old Leigh. Please contact me if you would like to arrange this. *Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements.

https://www.sarasteagardens.co.uk/

No1 Cockleshed Restaurant is a family owned and run bistro style restaurant with view across the Thames estuary and the workings of the cockle sheds in Old Leigh. For dining and drinks, we have a cosy restaurant and a dog friendly terrace which is open all year round. You can see Angus and his boats from our terrace, so it’s the perfect location to have dinner, drinks before or after your voyage. For bookings please call: 01702 474961 or email: info@no1cockleshed.co.uk

https://no1cockleshed.co.uk/

Adventure Tips

Book Around Tidal Times

Seal activity is best timed with tides; contact the operator to select optimal departure times.

Bring Weather-Appropriate Clothing

The estuary’s weather can shift quickly—layered and waterproof gear is strongly recommended.

Bring a Bin Bag for Waste

Help keep the estuary clean by taking all your rubbish home with you—no littering allowed.

Use Binoculars or Camera

Enhance your seal spotting with optics or a camera for capturing wildlife from the boat.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Harbor seals
  • Grey seals

History

Southend Pier, extending 1.34 miles, is the longest pleasure pier in the world, a landmark near where these boat trips operate.

Conservation

The Thames Estuary is an important marine habitat with ongoing efforts to balance industrial use and wildlife protection.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Waterproof Jacket

Essential

Protects from sudden estuary rain and sea spray.

all specific

Binoculars

Enhances viewing of distant seals and birds.

all specific

Camera with Zoom Lens

Ideal for capturing wildlife moments from the boat.

all specific

Sunscreen

Essential

Shields skin during long apparent sun exposure on the water.

summer specific