Night Trip to Wild Seal Colony

A NIGHT TRIP under a FULL MOON to the wild seal colony in the Walton Backwaters over a total distance of approximately 6 nautical miles and 3-4 hours. We launch just after sunset from Dovercourt beach (past Harwich Cricket Club) & paddle southeast down the coast towards the Walton backwaters, watching the full moon rise ahead of us. 

We  paddle along the coast with a flood tide pushing us in towards Hamford estuary in the Walton Backwaters. We should be in complete darkness when we enter the estuary & make our way up towards the backwater creeks to meet our seals under the light of a full moon. We enjoy 20 mins of free time paddling in the creek amongst the seals before catching the ebb tide towards our beach stop further up the coast for a *hot drink.

(We don’t divulge the whereabouts of the colony for obvious reasons and we maintain a strict interaction policy, that is the seals approach us. Your Lead Guide will give you information about the seal's habits before we enter the area and he/she will take questions when you leave).

The length of our break is dependant on the ambient temperature on the night and we'll launch again as soon guests begin to get cold. The full moon over the water and the small offshore shoals will rivet us all and we'll have to pull ourselves away. Once back on the water, we take a relaxed, easy paddle back to our destination at Dovercourt. 

This is a one-off trip that you'll never do on your own; a most memorable experience. NOMAD Sea Kayaking is the only company offering night paddling events on the east coast of England & we have 20 years' experience of doing these.

Due to the fact that this is a night trip, we won't do our traditional beach clearing of the rubbish but of course, all guests are required to pack out what they pack in.

We ask that you use a small head torch with a RED beam only (no white lead to protect our night vision). 

Weather Remit: A wind of a maximum of 15 knots steady blow and this includes wind gusts. The trip will be rescheduled if the wind exceeds this limit and there is further discretion on the part of the Lead Guide with all-night events. Rain, snow and other conditions don’t generally affect our ability on the water. 

Exceptions are sometimes made and this is at the discretion of your Lead Guide and/or the Operations Director. Your Lead Guide will make a decision based on the wind speed (including wind gusts) in combination with tide strength and direction, time of day or night and size of the group alongside other factors that may influence the safety and comfort of the entire group. 

*Guides will boil hot water on the beach for a hot drink; please bring along a cup and your drink of choice.

Sixteen years of age & over.