Farne Island seals

Jack Perks · Issue 73, Jul/Aug 2013 · pp. 49–52

Products mentioned: Nikon D7000, Nikon D600, Ikelite housing, Tokina 10-17mm lens, GoPro, 70-300mm lens, 16-35mm lens

The Farne islands are a renowned location across the UK for diving with grey seals, the more prolific species of seal in the UK, which is ironic as the other species is called the common seal! We have over half of the entire worlds population of grey seals around the British coastline so going after them, I thought, would be a piece of cake! Having been lucky enough to live in Cornwall for three years I saw plenty of seals at places like Newquay harbour and Gwithian but never in the water while diving until I was offered a chance to go and dive the Farne islands in Northumberland, a chance I simply couldn’t pass up. We arrived at St Ebbas house and I’d recommend it if you’re planning on diving up there. The rooms are basic but you’re there for the seals not fluffed up pillows! We got up at 6.00am got all the dive gear ready and had a hearty breakfast before meeting skipper Dave aboard th…