Scilly Seals

Lucy Ray · Issue 83, Mar/Apr 2015 · pp. 56–60

Products mentioned: Canon 5D MarkIII, Canon 7D, Ikelite housing, Ikelite DS161 strobes, 20mm 2.8 lens, 70-200mm 2.8 lens, 8" Ikelite dome port

Having just returned from The Galapagos Islands and photographing sea lions, I was eager to find similar subjects within easier reach so turned my attention to the grey seal. After some research the Isles of Scilly quickly made it to the top of my list because of it’s crystal clear waters and pristine beaches, ideal for underwater photography. It might sound like the Maldives but you quickly get a reality check when you put a toe in the water. At between 10 and 18 degrees, the waters off the Isles of Scilly are less than tropical but the water clarity and abundance of grey seals make it worth braving the cold. It is one of the only places in the UK where you can easily snorkel with Atlantic grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and as the trips by The Scilly Seal Snokelling company have been running for many years, the seals are used to snorkelers, are known to be quite friendly. To get to The…