Log This Dive

Farne Islands

Diving the Farne Islands is all about the seals. We're talking thousands of grey seals, and they are genuinely playful. Slip into the chilly North Sea, and within minutes you'll have curious whiskered faces circling you, tugging gently at fins, or doing barrel rolls inches from your mask. It’s a full-body sensory experience – the cold water invigorating, the seals’ soft fur brushing past, and their vocal barks echoing underwater. Beyond the seals, the rocky reefs are surprisingly colourful, carpeted in dense anemone gardens and a good scattering of nudibranchs if you slow down and look closely. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in the UK, but we’ve had days here with 10 meters plus, clear enough to properly appreciate the seals' agility. We'd suggest going in late summer or autumn when the pups are around and at their most inquisitive. This site is definitely one for anyone who loves interactive wildlife encounters and doesn't mind a bit of a chill; it’s not a gentle coral reef drift, but it’s immensely rewarding.