Ptarmigan Blakeney Point Seal Trips
Ptarmigan Blakeney Point Seal Trips
Ptarmigan Blakeney Point Seal Trips
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About
We are a family-run, local business offering daily boat trips out to Blakeney Point Our purpose built ferry boat, the Ptarmigan, sets sail from Morston Quay daily commencing April. The journey will take you around Blakeney Harbour and out to Blakeney Point to see the inquisitive seals which is now the home of the largest grey seal colony in the UK, you will be able to go up close to spot the ever changing array of sea birds that visit the area. View this unique landscape, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and look out for the iconic Lifeboat house, now used as a Visitor Centre for the National Trust
Blakeney, Norfolk, England
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Ptarmigan Blakeney Point Seal Trips
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
119 reviews
Excellent
107
Very good
9
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
NichaUk
UK1,266 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Whilst strangely there're not many reviews on here compared to the other boat trip companies, I picked Ptarmigan as all their reviews were positive and I will now add mine.
Staff all excellent, from booking over the phone, ticket collection at morston quay, to Mike the skipper. We went on the first trip out, smaller boat than others, social distancing is still being observed. We had about 20 on our boat which I understand is 50% capacity. We were lucky to see many seals both on land and in the water. The skipper made sure each side of the boat got a clear view of the seal for pics, going out and coming back.
I would highly recommend this company.
All of the companies charge the same price and go to the same place, so it comes down to service and in current times boat capacity/numbers on them.
You have no choice but to pay the national trust £6 to park, which is a rip off for many just going on the 1 hour boat trip. Nothing to do with the boat companies of course. Pay and display machines take cash only. You can pay by card at the office next to the cafe. Their are also toilets in the car park.
Staff all excellent, from booking over the phone, ticket collection at morston quay, to Mike the skipper. We went on the first trip out, smaller boat than others, social distancing is still being observed. We had about 20 on our boat which I understand is 50% capacity. We were lucky to see many seals both on land and in the water. The skipper made sure each side of the boat got a clear view of the seal for pics, going out and coming back.
I would highly recommend this company.
All of the companies charge the same price and go to the same place, so it comes down to service and in current times boat capacity/numbers on them.
You have no choice but to pay the national trust £6 to park, which is a rip off for many just going on the 1 hour boat trip. Nothing to do with the boat companies of course. Pay and display machines take cash only. You can pay by card at the office next to the cafe. Their are also toilets in the car park.
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff W
Plymouth, UK23 contributions
Sept 2020
Great experience and a well organised trip, booked just over a week before. Now I love seals, saw elephant seals and Southern sea lions in the Falklands andhave always tried to explain the thrill I get from watching and interacting with these animals to my family. No need now as they too have experienced it. The boat gets in so close to where the many grey and common seals are basking on the beach without bothering them - and there are many in the water too showing off.
The trip went past both sides two or three times so everyone had lots of opportunity to grab amazing photographs. We also saw a mass of oystercatchers on another beach, sandwich terns carrying fish and curlew/whimbrel both wading and in flight.
The guys running the boat were good humoured and informative and took the social distancing seriously - they look at the family bubbles beforehand and show you to your allocated seats. All the boat companies have a good, longstanding reputation but we were glad we went with Ptarmigan.
The trip went past both sides two or three times so everyone had lots of opportunity to grab amazing photographs. We also saw a mass of oystercatchers on another beach, sandwich terns carrying fish and curlew/whimbrel both wading and in flight.
The guys running the boat were good humoured and informative and took the social distancing seriously - they look at the family bubbles beforehand and show you to your allocated seats. All the boat companies have a good, longstanding reputation but we were glad we went with Ptarmigan.
Written September 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SmilingSixties
Portsmouth, UK202 contributions
Sept 2021
Of the several companies running boats from Morston Quay, we chose this from its reviews. Excellent choice. Particularly in covid-days we were impressed by their focus on our safety: only 50% tourists on the boat, care taken to keep families together (loading biggest groups first), boat & handrails sanitised before loading, extra trip run later to ensure customers not crowded, loading area further along quay than coach-loads queuing for other trips ... not convinced these applied to other more crowded boats running at same time. Note: check in for Ptarmigan is in the Quay parking near other company departures; their boat loading is further along Quay, check in opens shortly before first trip. CASH ONLY.
Commentary out bound and during seal watching interesting & informative, plenty of chance for questions, and humour ! Boats circulated to give all a chance to see seals basking on the sand bank - seals seem accustomed to these trips & often dived close to the boats.
Times of trips vary to fit tides, all companies have similar schedule. Car park (National Trust; charges apply unless you are members) can get busy, but there are overflows and guides to indicate where. National Trust cafe with excellent coffee, yummy cakes, pasties/sausage rolls. Toilets available. Coastal walks and walk down the Morston quay point available.
Commentary out bound and during seal watching interesting & informative, plenty of chance for questions, and humour ! Boats circulated to give all a chance to see seals basking on the sand bank - seals seem accustomed to these trips & often dived close to the boats.
Times of trips vary to fit tides, all companies have similar schedule. Car park (National Trust; charges apply unless you are members) can get busy, but there are overflows and guides to indicate where. National Trust cafe with excellent coffee, yummy cakes, pasties/sausage rolls. Toilets available. Coastal walks and walk down the Morston quay point available.
Written September 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter G
West Yorkshire, UK84 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
We chose Ptarmigan from the various offers regarding seal watching trips because they had no reviews less than average.
From the minute I spoke to Kate on the phone when making my booking, I was happy that we had made a good choice.
To an extent the lovely weather made our trip, but the crew were also very pleasant and helpful, and went to great lengths to make sure we saw lots of seals, to the extent that our trip lasted well over the hour.
If you’re wanting a seal watching trip, and are unsure who to choose, we definitely recommend Ptarmigan.
From the minute I spoke to Kate on the phone when making my booking, I was happy that we had made a good choice.
To an extent the lovely weather made our trip, but the crew were also very pleasant and helpful, and went to great lengths to make sure we saw lots of seals, to the extent that our trip lasted well over the hour.
If you’re wanting a seal watching trip, and are unsure who to choose, we definitely recommend Ptarmigan.
Written July 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate V
London, England, United Kingdom24 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We chose Ptarmigan from the National Trust website and the fact they said it was a family business for 60 years!
From the minute I spoke to the lady on the phone when making my booking, I was confident that we had made a great choice.
It may seem expensive at first but actually it was great value for money for 3 of us, (2 adults and one child), especially as we were allowed to take our curious doggie Filbert!
One thing to note; they only take well behaved dogs because if you have a barky dog it could frighten the seals especially those with pups!
Being in the middle of the heatwave made our trip a great cool morning on the water! The crew were also very knowledgeable and helpful, pointing out local landmarks like the lifeboat hut from the 1930s etc, and went to great lengths to make sure we saw lots of seals, to the extent that we saw seals swimming in the water and launching into the water. Great sights for bird watchers too!
If you’re wanting a seal watching trip, and are unsure who to choose, we definitely recommend Ptarmigan.
Thanks to the crew and all the staff!
5 stars!
From the minute I spoke to the lady on the phone when making my booking, I was confident that we had made a great choice.
It may seem expensive at first but actually it was great value for money for 3 of us, (2 adults and one child), especially as we were allowed to take our curious doggie Filbert!
One thing to note; they only take well behaved dogs because if you have a barky dog it could frighten the seals especially those with pups!
Being in the middle of the heatwave made our trip a great cool morning on the water! The crew were also very knowledgeable and helpful, pointing out local landmarks like the lifeboat hut from the 1930s etc, and went to great lengths to make sure we saw lots of seals, to the extent that we saw seals swimming in the water and launching into the water. Great sights for bird watchers too!
If you’re wanting a seal watching trip, and are unsure who to choose, we definitely recommend Ptarmigan.
Thanks to the crew and all the staff!
5 stars!
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bumble78
London, UK28 contributions
Jul 2021
Fabulous trip to see the seals. Round trip to the point where you get very close to the seals was about an hour. The team taking the bookings and actually on the boat were very friendly and knowledgeable, with lots of interesting facts and jokes about the area.
Lots of companies were leaving the dock around the same time but we definitely stayed out the longest and were the only ones who went to look for seals out in the sea.
Covid precautions were still in place and families were pretty well spaced out in 'bubbles'. Seemed more personal and less packed in than the other boats too.
Lots of companies were leaving the dock around the same time but we definitely stayed out the longest and were the only ones who went to look for seals out in the sea.
Covid precautions were still in place and families were pretty well spaced out in 'bubbles'. Seemed more personal and less packed in than the other boats too.
Written August 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark C
Gosport, UK37 contributions
Aug 2021
Our family (including our dog) have just enjoyed a fabulous Ptarmigan boat trip to see the seals. Easy to book over the phone, we were provided with lots of clear information and directions for the day. Kate was waiting for us as suggested when we arrived by the pink Ptarmigan flag :-) The two crew members Freddie and Jason were really friendly and fun, full of local and family information and sealy jokes! We were provided with a wonderful view of the seals, we must have seen at least 200 of all different sizes, some swimming close to the boat and many watching us from a safe distance off land. The round trip takes about an hour and there is plenty of time to see the seals and ample opportunity to take photos. Ptarmigan are still using Covid precautions, with groups organised and spaced out on the boat. Overall a really fun and memorable experience for all the family. We would highly recommend :-)
Written September 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ADerrygirl
London, UK149 contributions
Sept 2022
We arrived just in time because of a holdup at Stiffkey but the crew kindly held the trip for a few minutes so we could pay for parking.
It was a lovely sunny day and there were loads of seals to see, even some young ones "Surfing" the waves. The crew gave us lots of information, made sure everyone could see, and seemed to spend more time out on the water than the other tour boats.
I think this is the best company for a seal trip. A big advantage is that if you book by phone in advance you don't have to go first to Blakeney to collect your tickets and Ptarmigan is easy to find at Morston Quay with their bright pink flag.
It was a lovely sunny day and there were loads of seals to see, even some young ones "Surfing" the waves. The crew gave us lots of information, made sure everyone could see, and seemed to spend more time out on the water than the other tour boats.
I think this is the best company for a seal trip. A big advantage is that if you book by phone in advance you don't have to go first to Blakeney to collect your tickets and Ptarmigan is easy to find at Morston Quay with their bright pink flag.
Written November 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yorkshire_pudding69
Dishforth, UK122 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Booked over the phone the day before. Instructions given of when/where to meet which was all straightforward. We were lucky with the weather as it was a lovely sunny day. There were around 20 people on our boat which was enough to be comfortable without being overcrowded. I saw some other boats going out where people seemed to be crammed on with not much room. We saw 3-4 seals on the bank at Blakeney Point and a similar number in the water. Would have liked to have seen more but obviously this isn’t the fault of the boat operator, it’s just pot luck on the day! Overall the trip lasts around an hour. There are several other companies doing the same trip leaving from Morston Harbour. They are probably all very similar and I can’t comment as to whether any are better or worse than others. As far as I know they all charge the same price of £20 per person. One thing to note is that we were asked to pay by cash so make sure you have enough available. I don’t tend to carry much cash these days as most places accept/want card payment so I had to find somewhere to get some cash before going. The two men on our boat were both friendly and informative and we enjoyed our trip.
Written July 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Countrylife3
Winchcombe, UK4 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Ptarmigan were brilliant right from the first phone call to book the trip. Really helpful, giving clear instructions to find them. The trip was wonderful. They definitely took us closer to the seals than any other boat that was out there and they circled back several times for us to see them again. When all the other boats were returning to shore we were still out there viewing the gorgeous little seals bobbing their heads up out of the water. Also, plenty of space on the boat, other boats looked more crammed. Would 100% recommend. The rocking of the waves also sent our little baby off to sleep so extra points for getting our baby to nap! Friendly crew and skipper too. Thank you so much Ptarmigan for that extra family feel. Loved the trip so much.
Written August 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you land at Blakeney Point or is it only viewing the seals from the boat?
Written April 24, 2022
Going to Cromer next week. Never been to Norfolk before. Always wanted to see Seals. Where do you get the boats from please.?
Written June 23, 2018
As others suggest - but bear in mind that thectrips are geared to the tides - so no matter what company you choose, there will probably only be two trips going out - so it can get busy - so - check the tides and sailings for the deal watching - and maybe book in advance.
But we’ll worth the trip
Written June 25, 2018
We are visiting Blakeney Saturday 28th January, are there any trips available?
Written January 23, 2017
I'm entirely sure on that sorry I can't be helpful!! Im pretty sure they're will
Be though they tend to run trips quite a lot
Written January 24, 2017
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