The baie de Somme
refuge
for seals
The Baie de Somme, refuge for seals
- 400 seal calves
- 200gray seals
- 100average weight in kgs
One of the largest colonies
on the Channel coast
France’s largest colony of harbor seals has taken up residence in the Baie de Somme. Grey seals are also present, in the three estuaries of the Opal Coast and between Calais and Dunkirk.
Seals gather at low tide on resting places (emerged sandbanks). This vital twice-daily resting period is part of the year-round life cycle of both species. Humans venturing into the estuary must therefore respect it.
In the Baie de Somme, if you approach them too closely, at the first warning they will raise their heads. Stop, because if you keep moving towards them, they’ll get spooked and flee into the water. A distance of 300 meters is considered sufficient. In summer, female harbor seals, too often disturbed, may abandon their only young, who will not survive on their own.
Every summer, volunteers from Picardie Nature get involved in their own time to prevent disturbance of the resting places by educating walkers, kayakers and horse riders to respect the tranquillity of the seals on their resting places.
The 5 best places
to observe them
First and foremost, seals are a protected species, and any disturbance of the animals at low tide is punishable by a fine… so here are our tips!
On a canoe or kayakouting from Saint-Valery-sur-Somme: the ideal way to see seals without frightening them.
La pointe du Hourdel, at low tide, but you won’t be able to see the seals with the naked eye, so bring binoculars or a spyglass and make an appointment with Picardie Nature. In June, July and August, they’re there every day at low tide.
The Baie d’Authie, at low tide, they can be seen from the dyke. Park at the foot of the Berck lighthouse, then follow the signs.
With a nature guide! In the Baie de Somme, several associations and independent guides offer seal-watching outings in complete safety. They’ll help you observe the colony without causing any disturbance, and will be able to answer all your questions! I consult the list of guides.
In ports at high tide: Saint-Valery-sur-Somme and Le Crotoy
Picardie Nature
The association that works to monitor, understand, raise awareness and protect seal colonies in the Baie de Somme. Picardie Nature takes in young abandoned seals and transfers them to care centers run by other associations.
Tel.: 03 62 72 22 50
Where can you see seals in the Baie de Somme? On a pirogue or kayak trip, or even better, with a Qualinat nature guide who will accompany you without disturbing them!
We go out with a Qualinat-certified nature guide…
On foot
Olivier Hernandez from Sens Naturel
Aurore Sartorius from Découvrons la Baie
Maxim Marzi from Maxim Guide Nature
Odile Tavernier from Norwoé Découverte
Olivier Noël from Olivier Noel guide en Baie
Delphine Gottrant from Escap’ânes
Agnès Bourdon d’ Art et Nature en Baie de Somme
Jonathan Beia de Les sentiers de la Baie
Sylvain Duvanel de Guide en Somme
Gwénaël et Estelle Labarre de Passion Baie de Somme
Alex Loisel de Rando Baie de Somme Découverte
Arnaud Delattre de Visit the Bay of the Somme with Arnaud Delattre
By Pirogue
Christophe Marie de La Canoterie
Meet
Volunteers
Picardie Nature Summer Watch
“We all come from different backgrounds, but our passion is animals. For a season or every year, we join forces with Picardie Nature to observe, monitor and protect the seal colony in the Bay of the Somme. We do our bit to warn walkers, horse riders and kayakers to keep a safe distance so that everyone can enjoy it!”
Tourist Offices
in the Baie de Somme
Le Crotoy
1, rue Carnot
Tel. +33 (0)3 22 27 05 25
www.terresetmerveilles-baiedesomme.com
Cayeux-sur-Mer
Place Aristide Briand
Tel. +33 (0)3 22 26 61 15
www.tourisme-baiedesomme.fr
Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
Quai Lejoille
Tel. +33 (0)3 22 60 93 50
www.tourisme-baiedesomme.fr
Bird Festival
& Seal trips
Every year, during the Bird and Nature Festival, several guided outings are organized to discover the seals of the Baie de Somme.
An essential annual event for discovering nature in a different way. More than 400 outings to discover insects, plants and birds are on offer.
Two international photo and video competitions are also organized, with exhibitions and screenings in Baie de Somme cinemas.
Avoid disturbance
4 instructions to follow
– Keep a safe distance from the animal : if the seal raises its head, you must back off, or it will take to the water.
– Use binoculars or a spyglass to avoid the temptation to approach.
– Use a camera with a high-performance zoom and avoid using drones, even outside flight restriction zones.
– When kayaking or boating, keep your distance and sail parallel to the coast.
