Seals at Woolacombe: where and when to spot grey seals at Morte Point
A practical guide to seeing Atlantic grey seals from the Morte Point coast path, with seasonal timing, responsible viewing rules and links for planning the walk.
Quick answer
Can you see seals at Woolacombe?
Yes. Atlantic grey seals are present around Morte Point, the rocky headland north of Woolacombe, throughout the year. Sightings are never guaranteed, but this is one of Devon's most accessible seal-watching places because you can scan the haul-out rocks from the coast path without taking a boat.
The best viewing is usually from the cliff-top path around Morte Point, using binoculars to look down to the lower ledges and tidal platforms. Numbers are often highest in autumn and winter, while summer sightings tend to be smaller groups or animals feeding offshore.
Plan seal spotting as part of a careful coast walk, not as a close-up encounter. Keep well back, keep dogs on leads, and let the seals rest undisturbed.
Where to look
The main seal spots near Woolacombe
Morte Point headland
The low rocky ledges around the tip of Morte Point are the main haul-out area. Walk from Mortehoe, stay on the coast path, and scan the south-facing rocks below the headland.
Barricane rocks
Seals are occasionally seen around offshore rocks near Barricane Beach, especially when high tide restricts access to the rocks. Treat this as a bonus, not the main plan.
Morte Point caves
Guided sea kayak routes can reveal caves and ledges used by seals from water level. Use experienced guides who know how to approach wildlife responsibly. See Woolacombe sea kayaking.
Identification
Grey seals, not common seals
The seals seen around Morte Point are Atlantic grey seals. They are larger than common seals and have a long, straight, Roman-nose profile rather than the rounder, dog-like face of a common seal.
Adult males can be large, heavy animals, while females and younger seals are smaller and more lightly built. From the cliff path you may mostly see dark shapes on the rocks, heads lifting in the swell, or pale pups in autumn. Binoculars make the difference between guessing and watching properly.
Timing
Best time of year to see seals
- Autumn, October to December: usually the strongest season. Grey seals pup and breed on secluded parts of the Devon coast, haul-out numbers are often highest, and disturbance risk is also highest. Give them extra space.
- Winter, January to March: good numbers are still possible and clear cold days can be excellent for viewing. Morte Point is exposed, so dress for Atlantic wind.
- Spring, April to June: numbers can drop as seals disperse to feeding grounds, but sightings still happen from the path and around the headland.
- Summer, July to September: haul-out groups are usually smaller. Look for seals feeding offshore or bobbing in the water, and start early before the coast path gets busy.
Mid-to-low tide often exposes more lower rock, which can make resting seals easier to spot. Check the live tide times before combining seal watching with coves or rock edges.
How to watch
Spotting seals from land
Start from Mortehoe village and follow the Morte Point circular walk. It is roughly 1.5 miles from the village car park to the headland tip, with open cliff-top views and uneven ground in places.
Once you reach the headland, scan slowly rather than walking right to the edge. The rocks are often 50 to 100m below you. Look for dark shapes that move, scratch, yawn, or lift a head; a seal on rock can look surprisingly like a boulder until it shifts.
Hauled-out seals may sleep, scratch, yawn, bark at neighbours, or wave flippers slowly to regulate temperature. In the water, look for heads bobbing with the swell and smooth, fast movement through the surf.
Responsible watching
Give seals room to rest
- Keep at least 100m from hauled-out seals and use binoculars or zoom instead of approaching.
- Keep dogs on leads near the headland, especially in autumn and winter.
- Do not fly drones near seals or pups; disturbance can cause animals to abandon safe resting places.
- If a seal raises its head and watches you, you are too close. Move back quietly.
- Never enter the water near hauled-out seals and never approach a pup.
For wider wildlife planning, pair this page with Woolacombe wildlife, autumn in Woolacombe and winter in Woolacombe.
Make a day of it
Combine seal spotting with a coast walk
The simplest plan is to park in Mortehoe, walk the Morte Point loop, pause to scan the ledges, then return to the village or continue towards Woolacombe if conditions are settled. Families should allow time, snacks and layers: the headland feels much wilder than the beach below.
In summer, go early and then drop back to the beach. With children, keep the walk short and build in a clear turnaround point. With dogs, read Woolacombe with dogs before choosing routes and beach time.