Seal and Wildlife Trips - As seen on BBC's inside out and BBC Coast programmes

Although the nursery area has been subject to massive disturbance by morons in private craft and jet skis which has resulted in a number of the mothers abandoning their pups – Five were rescued and taken to the seal hospital in Norfolk. Sufficient seals have returned to enable us once again to run these trips. As well as seals their are a number of returning waders in summer plumage as well as raptors and egrets to be seen. Also the little terns are putting on good displays of fish catching on some tides.

Common Seals from the Lady Essex III

On quite a number of these trips we are accompanied by an expert guide from the RSPB, who is able to give a very interesting and enlightening commentary as well as being able to answer your questions. Our guide will also point out all of the different bird species that you will see. As well as Common Seals and sometimes Atlantic Grey Seals we have also encountered Harbour Porpoise.

Forthcoming Trips

Please note all trips depart from Wallasea Marina and Burnham Town Quay 10 minutes after this.

Monday 2nd August: 10.00am and 4.00pm

Tuesday 3rd August: 11.00am

Wednesday 4th August: 12.00pm

Tuesday 10th August: 12.30pm

Sunday 15th August: 10.00am and 12.00pm

Monday 16th August: All day trip to Brightlingsea 10am to 6pm £25.00

Tuesday 17th August: 1.00pm and 5.00pm

Wednesday 18th August: 2.00pm

Wednesday 18th August: Evening trip to Fambridge Ferry Boat Inn 6.00pm to 10.00pm £15.00

Watch this space for more trips

All seats must be pre booked by calling 01702 258666 and your point of departure confirmed. Note that Essex Boatyards would like to remind passengers to use the designated ferry parking area.

We cannot be held responsible in the event that a trip is cancelled due to bad weather or circumstances beyond our control. We will, whenever possible, attempt to inform our pre-booked passengers of any enforced changes and will of course validate their tickets for an alternative sailing. We cannot be held responsible for enforced changes affecting the ferry service.

PLEASE NOTE: ON ALL ADVERTISED SEAL TRIP PASSENGERS MUST BE ABLE TO SIT STILL FOR THE DURATION OF THE TRIP AND BE ABLE TO BE ABSOLUTELY QUIET WHILST WE ARE WITH THE SEALS. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK IF ANY MEMBER OF YOUR PARTY INCLUDING THE DISABLED AND ANY CHILDREN CANNOT DO SO AS PASSAGE WILL BE REFUSED IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY! WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER APPROPRIATE TAILOR MADE CHARTERS TO GROUPS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. WE REGRET THAT THESE TRIPS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR THE UNDER 5's OR PETS

Cancellation Refund & Privacy Policies

Whilst it is not possible to book or pay for a ferry seat in advance as we run on a first come first served basis, all seats for our seal and wildlife trips and private charter and Water Taxi must be pre paid at the time of booking, except by prior agreement with the company. Such payments are non refundable in the event of cancellation by the customer within 7 days of departure. Prior to 7 days we are able to reschedule your booking to an alternative sailing or to offer a 50% refund.

In the event of cancellation of the trip by the company due to bad weather, mechanical breakdown or other reason beyond our control every effort will be made to offer an alternate sailing. Should this not be possible a full refund will be made without delay.

January and February can be one of the best times of year to get superb views of our wetland wildlife, with thousands of waders in residence in the remote creeks that we explore, traditionally we have several days each January with bright sunshine calm winds and great visability. Wrap up warmly with plenty of layers and themal undies, bring a flask if you wish and dont forget camera and binoculas and prepare for a trully unique wildlife encounter!

Recently the RSPB hired our boat out for their popular 'boats, buses and boots' trip promoting the new RSPB reserve at Wallasea Island. Species seen were as follows: Brent Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Avocet Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit and, best sight of the day, a beautiful male Hen Harrier (see below).

Outstanding views oof a very rare Hen Harrierfrom the Lady Essex

Click to see video of one of our seal trips taken by one of our customers.

Gift Vouchers
You are able to purchase gift vouchers for our popular seal and wildlife trips as gifts. These can be sent directly to the person or can be forwarded to you. The lucky benefactor can then book a trip to suit their diary.

Please see our About Us' page for details on how to book.

Close views of the seals from the Lady Essex

We sometimes see Avocets!Come and see the many birds of our shoreline

It is the policy of the company not to store keep or exchange the personal financial details of any customer except as to enable verification of any credit card payment at which time all such details are immediately destroyed. The company will not pass on any details to third parties for the purposes of marketing.