sea safari padstow

Padstow Sealife Safaris

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PADSTOW SEALIFE SAFARIS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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Padstow Sealife Safaris

North Quay Padstow Harbour Padstow Cornwall PL28 8AF

Visit website [email protected] 07754 822404

Enjoy the magic of the ocean

A Padstow Sealife Safari is the best way to see stunning marine wildlife in the UK See amazing marine wildlife on our Cornwall boat trips with an unrivalled view of the stunning Cornish coastline.

Our wildlife watching Cornwall boat trips are an unforgettable experience for you, your family and friends!

Observe Wildlife in their natural habitat.

Padstow Sealife Safaris is a locally owned business that specialises in wildlife watching Cornwall boat trips; giving you the opportunity to discover the abundant and varied marine wildlife of the North Cornish Coast through safe and responsible boat trips & tours.

“ Had an amazing time on the safari. We saw dolphins, seals and plenty of birds. Sad we missed out on the puffins due to the timing and would have liked some closer interactions with the dolphins but not in the businesses control. Would love to come back again earlier in the year 😊 ” Jodie B , Tripadvisor

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Padstow Sea Life Safaris

Date posted: 24 jun 2020.

Don’t just read about Cornwall’s varied sea life, go and see it for yourself, by getting up close and personal on a high-speed rib boat trip from Padstow harbour, where the splash is all part of the fun.

Have an unforgettable journey with Padstow Sea Life Safaris. Varying from a two hour safari visiting 25 miles of coastline to a one hour seal-watching trip, or even chartering a skippered boat for a bespoke trip, options to suit all tastes are available.

For thrill seekers, opt for an exhilarating power boat ride which bounces across the waves, taking you to Port Isaac.

Animal lovers might prefer hugging the coastline to see grey seals swimming in the water or lazing on the rocks. You may even be lucky enough to see porpoises and dolphins. Get your cameras ready. Don’t forget sea birds, too, such as the clown prince of birds, the puffin. If you are really lucky you may even see a basking shark.

The skippers are all local seamen with a wealth of maritime experience while the Head Guide studied zoology and has an incredible knowledge of the wildlife you encounter. Sightings depend on time of year. Wildlife can, of course, be unpredictable, but seals are seen on 95% of trips.

Conservation is crucial in Cornwall, so learn a little about the impact of plastics and other pollution on marine life, too. It might change your life.

Categories: Cornwall Attractions & Activities , Family Days Out , Trips & Tours in Cornwall

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Padstow Sealife Safaris

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Padstow Sealife Safaris - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Situated on the banks of the River Camel*, about 2 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, Padstow is the perfect place for exploring both river and ocean.  Other locations within our area such as Port Isaac, Polzeath, Trevone, Harlyn amd Porthcothan are right beside the Atlantic.

*The name “Camel” comes from the Cornish “Cam Hayle” meaning “crooked estuary”.

Padstow Sealife Safaris   sail out of Padstow harbour to explore the Cornish coastline, famed for its rugged beauty and extensive wildlife. For children, adults and photographers this is an exciting high speed wildlife experience, taking in the sights of our coastline and offshore islands, slowing along the way to get up close encounters with our local marine life. Their spectacular 2 hour Sealife Safari provides the opportunity to potentially view Grey Seals, Dolphins, Porpoises, Sunfish, Basking Sharks and an array of birdlife, all in their natural wild habitat. In the spring & summer the dramatic cliff faces are teeming with Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes and from April to late July Puffins are also in residence on our very own local “Puffin Island”. For a shorter trip, their 1 hour Seals Cave Experience heads out in search around caves and offshore islands for seals both in the water and resting on the rocks, keeping an eye out for any other wildlife that may be around. For those more interested in local scenery than wildlife they offer our 1 hour coastal tours, following the coastline north to the historic fishing town of Port Isaac. If it’s wildlife you want, the exhilaration and freedom of speeding along in the Ocean Voyager on the open sea or just taking in the lovely Cornish coast from a unique perspective then they have the trip for you. Bespoke tours are also available and can be tailored for you to provide a truly special experience for any occasion. Padstow Sealife Safaris is a true local family business, operated by a skipper with expert local knowledge and a member of the Padstow Lifeboat crew.

Wavehunters offer Cornwall wildlife spotting and sightseeing trips and charters from Padstow, Rock and Port Isaac. Explore hidden coves, learn about the sealife, spot dolphins, puffins and seals in their natural habitat while cruising our turquoise waters. Whether you are booking as a couple or larger family/bubble, they’ve made it more affordable than ever to get on board and take to the sea in a safe and fun way. Choose between their Semi Private Sea Safari and Private Charter and a 2 hour boat trip combining the perfect family friendly duration at sea with exclusivity and extra comfort on the boat. They also offer longer private charters by arrangement and 2-hours trips at certain times daily.

The Jubilee Queen  offers summer coastal cruises run daily (weather and sea conditions permitting) from Padstow Harbour to the offshore islands. You can see a variety of seabirds and marine life.  Bar and toilets on board. Times of trips vary daily according to the tide and conditions. Information is available daily from boards around the harbour and Padstow TIC. Pay on board.

Emma Kate Fishing Trips & Charter Boat Hire   offer daily fishing trips running from either Padstow Harbour of Lower Beach.  They offer 4 & 8 hour wreck and reef fishing, 8 hour and 12 hour shark fishing and 2 hour mackerel fishing.   Skippers Lee and John have over 40 years  experience between them, Junior and Senior Cornish boat angling Champions in the past. EMMA KATE is a LOCHIN 38 type sea fishing boat, built by one of the best and oldest British boat building companies LOCHIN, which are known for designing lifeboats & police patrol vessels. She is powered by a twin 250HP IVECO Turbocharged diesel unit, which gives her stability & sea-keeping abilities to a maximum.

Supreme Boat Trips offers daily sight seeing and fishing trips from Padstow harbour. The Supreme is a Corvette Craft Bullet 38. Take your pick from 2 hour Mackeral fishing trips or 4 & 8 hour Wreck and Reef trips.  All fishing equipment is supplied and you can keep what you catch as long as it is within legal limits.  Or simply jump on board for a relaxing river or sea bound sight seeing trip.  Toilet facilities and tea & coffee can be pre-ordered. The Supreme is also available for private charter.

Padstow Sealife Safaris

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

PADSTOW SEALIFE SAFARIS - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Padstow Sealife Safaris

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Padstow Sealife Safaris Guide - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Padstow Sealife Safaris

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Padstow Sealife Safaris - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

1 Hour Seal Safari Boat Trip

Perfect for:

A shorter version of our Sealife Safari, with a focus on searching for seals. Our 1 hour Seal Safari is an excellent way to get out on the water for an exhilarating taster, experiencing seals in their natural habitat from our custom-built RIBs.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the nature of the boat and the unpredictability of sea conditions we do not permit pregnant women, children under the age of 2 or anyone with current or historic back, neck or bone problems. If you need further advice about if our trips are suitable for you, please contact us .

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30+ years experience

State of the art boats, safe & comfortable, stunning coastline, boat trip features, sealife spotting.

Meet our local and friendly seals! They can be seen all year round, so book this boat trip any time of year.

Bird watching

A vast array of birdlife can be seen year-round. Between mid April and mid July we'll look out for puffins, guillemots and razorbills.

Sites of interest

View the rugged coastline around Padstow Bay and learn about our local heritage.

Safety Onboard

Our state of the art custom-built RIBs are designed for comfort and safety, with a highly experienced skipper at the helm.

What to expect

Following the coast along at speed, we will slow on approach to areas of the coastline where grey seals regularly visit. In fact  grey seals  are one of the marine mammals that can be seen here all year round!

If the conditions are right, we may also head out to one of the nearby offshore islands where seals often haul out on the rocks to sunbathe.

What we're looking for

Seals can often be seen bobbing around in the water, popping up to say hello, or basking on the rocks of offshore islands. Adhering to WiSe guidelines we don’t like to disturb or distress the seals by coming too close, so we keep a respectful distance from them; however often when in the water they come up to greet us.

An array of birds can also be seen on the boat trip, especially during nesting season for the puffins, guillemots and razorbills (mid April-mid July). If we are lucky and dolphins have been spotted in the area, we may head out to search for them too. You never know what might pop up along the way!

Professionally guided

Our boat trips are professionally guided, offering you the chance to learn a little about the wildlife we see as well as local points of interest and our rich local heritage. Your knowledgeable guide will be happy to answer any questions you have about the wildlife. You will have ample opportunity to snap some great photos of exciting wildlife and the rugged coastline. Every boat trip is a non-stop mixture of sensitive wildlife observation and exploring the wild North Cornish waters.

Reviews of 1 Hour Seal Safari Boat Trip

1 hour seal safari boat trip faqs.

We take from ages 2 and up (babies are not permitted). Please be advised that our boats travel at speed and can be very bouncy which some young children enjoy but others are not so keen on. Individual children’s suitability is at your discretion.

Our trips still run on rainy days. Rain does not deter the marine life (they are wet anyway!) so we simply wrap up in waterproofs and go for it! Please dress extra warm on rainy days with lots of layers to avoid getting cold. If you would prefer not to go out on a rainy day, please keep an eye on the weather and you may cancel your booking yourself. As long as we receive at least 24 hours notice, we can issue you with a full refund.

If we cancel your trip due to rough sea conditions or minimum passenger numbers (5) not being met, we will contact you as soon as possible to offer to reschedule you to a later date. If this is not possible, we can issue you with a full refund. Please note: If you cancel a booking yourself, we require at least 24 hours notice to be able to issue a refund.

Due to the bouncy nature of the boat and the unpredictability of sea conditions, our tours are not suitable for pregnant women.

All of our trips travel at speed and can be very bouncy in places so are not suitable for those with back/spine/bone problems.

Well behaved, small to medium sized dogs are permitted on our boats, however, often dogs do not like the sensation of being on a bouncy boat so please take this into consideration. If you can make other arrangements for your dog, it might be best to play it safe and leave them on land.

Wildlife you might see on your adventure...

Common Dolphins

Other boat trips & tours

2 Hour Sealife Safari Boat Trip

3 Hour Explorers Safari Boat Trip

1 Hour Puffin Safari Boat Trip

1 Hour Camel Estuary RIB Tour

Isles of Scilly Day Trip

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Quick links, latest posts, sustainable tourism cornwall: the importance of protecting marine life, explore the top 7 things to do in constantine bay, cornwall, exploring puffin season in the uk: a complete guide.

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 (0) 77 54 82 24 04

Find us: Padstow Harbour, Cornwall, PL28 8BP

Our boat trips are great in all weather conditions!

Come rain or shine, our boat trips are suitable for most weather conditions. 

Book your trip today! 

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