Seal Watch

seals at Godrevy Point

seals with young relaxing on the sand

The wind howled around the van during the night but I still had a good sleep. We got ready to leave lazily and left the campsite before 11 and headed east. At Land’s End that is the only way to go. We took our time as we can’t meet up with the family until 5.00.

On our way we decided to go back to Godrevy Point to walk Lottie as it was only a minor detour.

The lighthouse

This time we drove beyond the main car park to the field at the end of the road near the lighthouse.

We set out for a walk up the hill away from the lighthouse with the large Lurcher eager to explore new ground.

walking towards St Ives

Near the cliff top was a sign indicating that seals basked on the beach below.



It requested quiet voices and no sudden movements to avid startling them. We crept to the edge where several people were standing. It was high tide and the beach was full of seals relaxing on the sand.

The resting seals were unconcerned by the people far above them. I hoped Lottie wouldn’t bark but she waited patiently while we watched the occasional movement form the recumbent seals below.

St Ives from Godrevy Point

After awhile we walked Lottie around to the lighthouse where we were protected from the stiff wind. The views across the bay to St Ives were lovely.

We went back to Sally-Van for a long lunch rest. Lottie lay outside on the grass sheltered from the wind by the field’s stone wall.

good winds for sailing

After lunch we went back up the hill to look at the seals. The tide had gone out and we thought they had gone. We walked along the coast path away from the lighthouse to give Lottie a good run.
As we passed the beach on the way back I saw something move.
“The seals are there,” I said.

further along the coast path

As we watched our eyes gradually made out the seals that had moved down the beach. Lying between rocks, stones and seaweed they were almost invisible.

We walked back to the main vantage point. A large seal came out of the water and headed straight to a mum and her pup. She objected to the visitor by squealing loudly baring her teeth and trying to thump it with her flipper.

How many seals?

After a couple of minutes the newcomer retreated and left her alone.

We drove straight from Godrevy Point to Gwinear Camp site. We arrived at 3.40 and chose one of the level pitches. One was next to the toilet block so we picked the other which was next to a giant caravan with pull out sides.

the seal beach from the cliffside

Fortunately the pitches were well spaced apart so it didn’t feel too close.

We went over to our daughters for dinner. We had good food and great company before returning to the site in the dark after 9.00.

mum seal  argues with intruder seal

Mum seal left alone with her pup

Our pitch was not beside a bright light which I prefer as I sleep better when it is dark outside. The site was very quiet apart from the wind which gusted throughout the night.