On a seal safari: where do you see them best?

Where do they lie?

Seals rest on various sandbanks between Vlieland and Terschelling. De Richel is one of them, but seal trips also frequently sail to the Engelschhoek, a sandbank near Terschelling. Which spot the skipper chooses depends on the tide, the weather, and where the animals are lying at that moment. The seals are easier to observe from the water than from the island.

Seals also lie along the northern coast and on the sandbanks around the Vliehors. There, it is more often a matter of individual animals rather than groups.

Two species

Two species occur in the Wadden Sea. The harbour seal is the smaller one, with a head that somewhat resembles a dog. The grey seal is considerably larger, with a longer, straighter snout — the largest predator in the Netherlands. They sometimes lie intermingled on the same sandbank.

The tide determines everything

Seals lie on sandbanks that only dry out around low tide. A trip is therefore planned around the tide, not the clock. The provider publishes the departure times and the options for that day.

Calm weather helps: with little wind and a flat sea, the animals remain lying for longer and you sail more comfortably.

Rest on the sandbank

The sandbanks are resting places for seals. During a trip, the skipper determines the route and how the animals can be viewed from the water. A sighting is never guaranteed.

A seal alone on the beach is not automatically in distress. Assessing an animal requires expertise; local responders can assess a report.

Practical information

Trips depart from the harbour of Vlieland and generally last a few hours. Binoculars can help to view animals from a distance. The provider states what is included in the trip and which clothing is suitable.