Seal TripsEssex

Seal Trips Essex departs from Priors Boat Yard on the Quayside in Burnham-on-Crouch aboard Celtic Prince, a 35ft purpose-built passenger boat that worked as a ferry and photography boat in North Wales before its move to the Essex coast. Andy, the owner-operator, and a small crew run seal-spotting cruises and private charters into the creeks and marshes around the Crouch and Roach estuaries, where common seals haul out on the sandbanks. The boat carries up to ten passengers under a part-covered rear deck, and the crew between them have spent decades on the water in the area. Standard trips run for around two hours and operate mainly from March to September, weather permitting, with private hire and shorter sightseeing trips available. All sailings must be booked and paid for in advance through the operator's website. Parking is available at the Burnham Riverside car park, a short walk from the pier.