Swimming with Seals

October 22, 2026

Written by Ruth

Three photos featuring Lundy Island and the Lundy seals. On the left, an aerial shot of a beach and blue sea, with grassy headland behind. In the centre an underwater image of a seal looking at the camera, and on the right, a photo of the stone marked 1819 Landing Place with rocks behind.

I have watched videos of others swimming with the Lundy seals for a few years now, and have always wanted to go myself. It gets booked up so early, but this year – the year I turn 50 – I was determined to go. We booked in May, and in September, we went.

The day started early with a drive up to Ilfracombe in North Devon from West Cornwall, and as we watched the sunrise over the A30, we were both buzzing for what was ahead.

Arriving in the harbour we were shepherded onto the Lundy Diving boat with a small group of other nervously excited people, and we headed out across the Bristol Channel to Lundy for a special experience of swimming with seals.

It was an extremely bouncy trip, and we had to hold on tight! But the journey was only ninety minutes. As we pulled into Lundy landing jetty, we were already surrounded by seals, both in the water and on the shores.

First stop was a wander around the island, we headed up the steep slope to the small village, where we found a pub and a shop, before exploring on the headlands and enjoying our picnic lunch with stunning views all around.

And then…time to swim! The Lundy Diving team selected a small cove, and after a short briefing, into the water we went. We were told to ignore the seals and they would come to us. Well, they did!

After ten minutes or so of pootling around, watching jellyfish and other small marine life, we spotted a seal snoozing below us. What followed was one of the most magical hours of my life. The seals were so friendly, so inquisitive. They are clearly used to humans but obviously still wild. Watching us intently, they playfully swam upside down and around, and eventually came closer and closer. They loved it when I dived down under the water too. They nibbled our fins, brushed past us, and one even held onto my leg as we bobbed about together.

What an experience. The Lundy Diving team were fantastic, friendly and very informative. We felt safe but at the same time it still felt like a wild encounter. What an honour to be given so much attention from these beautiful creatures. As we warmed up with a hot chocolate on the (thankfully less bouncy) return to the mainland, we felt like true Sisters of the Sea – we were beaming and brimming with gratitude.