Collecting Tickets
You will be able to collect your tickets from Morston Quay, which is where our boats depart from.
All our boats are white and blue and our staff will also be wearing blue. Look out for our signage on the quayside.
You pay for your tickets when you collect them on the day of your boat trip. At this current time we do not take credit cards but we're working on it, so please bring cash.
John Bean Boat Trips
Blakeney Seal Trips
Daily boat trips to see Blakeney Point’s famous seals and birds in their natural habitat.
Our boat trips are the best way to get up close with Blakeney Point seals
COVID-19 Updates
Following the relaxing of Covid regulations on 19th July John Bean Boats Trips are still committed to the safety of their passengers.
Your health and safety remains our top priority. we continue to follow additional hygiene and safety measures on arrival and throughout the trip. Please take careful note of our safety measure (below).
- PRE BOOK BY PHONE IN ADVANCE - we will have to take a contact number from you which will be kept secure for 21 days.
- BE ABLE TO EMBARK / DISEMBARK WITHOUT ASSISTANCE OR WITH MINIMAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE CREW
- PLEASE FEEL FREE TO WEAR A FACE MASK/COVERING IF THIS MAKES YOU MORE COMFORTABLE.
- PAYMENT IS TO BE MADE ON THE DAY. Card payment is often available but not guaranteed due to poor WiFi connection on the quayside so please arrive with cash just in case (the correct amount wherever possible to minimise handling.)
- THE NATIONAL TRUST TOILETS & CAFÉ ARE NOW CURRENTLY OPEN ON MORSTON QUAY. Please note Toilet facilities are limited so please allow extra time.
- THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO LANDINGS ON BLAKENEY POINT and all seal trips will last approx one hour
- TO ENSURE THE MAXIMIMUM COMFORT OF OUR PASSENGERS TRIPS WILL CONTINUE AT REDUCED CAPACITY FOR THE REMAINING SEASON, for high risk groups you may care to see our page on private charter
- PLEASE FOLLOW STAFF INSTRUCTIONS AS THEY ARE FOR EVERYONE’S SAFETY – we reserve the right to refuse passage for anyone unwilling to comply with the above - no refunds will be given.
- IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL CONTACT OUR BOOKING HOTLINE ON: 01263 740 625.- Please DO notify us if you have pre-booked and are not coming as seats are strictly limited and we will be able to re-allocate your booking.
- Boarding and disembarking may take a little longer than normal - please be patient, relax and enjoy your trip.
We look forward to seeing you and... don’t forget your camera!
Route Map
We board one of our three, blue and white custom ferries at Morston and head up Morston Creek before entering Blakeney Harbour.
Blakeney Point is one of the most important migration routes in Europe, so we'll see a lot of migrating birds on our way to the Seal Colony.
Our crew will give you a taste of the local history as we travel past the old Blakeney Lifeboat station.
We arrive at Blakeney Point, where we usually see Common and Grey Seals hauled out.
It's not uncommon for seals to pop out around the boat as we approach close. We also turn and get closer for plenty of photo opportunities.
Plan your Blakeney Point seal trip
It is wise to book in advance for our seal trips, which run at different times according to the tides (see the timetable). Morston Quay's car park can be busy during busy periods, so give yourself plenty of time to park, and arrive at your departure point on time.
Even in the summer, it can feel cooler on the water with spray coming over the boats. Make sure you have enough clothing and wear sensible footwear, as it can get slippery underfoot.
While on your trip, you'll have plenty to see, so don't forget to bring your camera to capture those special moments. You'll be able to get close to the seals and see them clearly, but you might want to bring binoculars to view the amazing array of birds.
Blakeney Point Seals
The colony is made up of over 10,000 common and grey seals
Seals spend up to 90% of their lives basking on the sandbanks
A female seal lives up to 35 years
Seals can reach speeds up to 22mph in the water
In certain waters seals have been recorded diving to a depth of 600ft
Common Seals
The common seal is smaller than the grey seal, with a shorter head and concave forehead. Common seals have V-shaped nostrils and are variable in colour, from blonde to black, but generally grey with dark spots. During the summer, common seal pups are born, and these pups can swim after just a few hours of life!
Grey Seals
The grey seal's larger size and sloping 'roman nose' profile distinguish it from the common seal. Straight on, their nostrils appear parallel, not v-shaped as they do in common seals. Individuals can be identified by the distinctive pattern of dark blotches and spots.In autumn, grey seals give birth to fluffy white pups. They stay on land until they have lost their white coats and tripled their body weight.A grey seal's young are born between November and January.
Blakeney Point Birds
Summer Visitors
A Sandwich Tern is whitish-grey above and white below, with a black cap (the forehead turns white in winter) and a shaggy, black crest. Breeding colonies of this large tern are found on sand and shingle beaches, islands and spits. They catch fish, including sandeels, sprats and whiting, by diving into the water.
Shorebirds
One of the most recognisable and familiar sounds of the seashore is the loud 'peeping' call of an Oystercatcher. Look for it hunting for shellfish along the muddy shoreline.
Ringed plovers nest in bare gravel, shingle, or sand. They are small, rotund waders. It forages for invertebrates and crustaceans in a similar way to other plovers: it watches, runs forward, pecks, then stands still again
Winter Months
Wigeons are medium-sized ducks with rounded heads and short bills. Males are grey with pink breasts, orange heads and yellow foreheads, and noticeable white wing patches when they fly. Females are similar to Mallard females, but with rusty brown plumage and a pointed tail.
The Greylag goose is a large, pale grey goose with pink legs and an orange bill.
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
All well behaved dogs are always welcome! Please be considerate of other passengers who may not be keen on dogs.
All of our Boats are open top, so always best to come prepared
We currently are only running from March to October, however it is always best to check with us as things can chan year to year.
To book please call 01263 740625 or via email johnbeanboattrips@gmail.com. We usually take bookings up to a month in advance earlier booking will be considered.
We do have access to a card machine, however these are run by phone signal and not always reliable, so bringing cash is also advisable.
For bookings of 5 and under -
we will save your seats for you to turn up and pay on the day. (If you can't make it for any reason all we ask is you let us know as soon as possible)
For bookings of over 5 - We will ask for a deposit to confirm your booking before the date of your trip
You pay for your tickets on the day when you collect them from Morston Quay (Full instructions will be given upon booking)
The boats depart from MORSTON QUAY ~ NR25 7BH. Situated on the A149 Coast Road between Blakeney and Wells next sea, further details on finding us in our contact page
All our boats are white and blue and our staff will be wearing blue also look out for our signage and Blue flags on the quayside
The MCA regulations state that we have to carry life rafts and life jackets on board. Life jackets only have to be worn in an emergency
No - sorry the boats are not big enough for toilets, there are however toilets on Morston Quay and on Blakeney Point
No - sorry the rate is the same as for adults
Yes - we go all weather if it is safe to do so. Very occasionally we do have to cancel if it's too windy
No - but we advise sensible clothing to suit the weather (its always a bit cooler on the water!) Sensible footwear is also advised as the quayside and Blakeney Point both have uneven surfaces and are tidal areas
Yes - there is a big National Trust car park next to the quayside just a short stroll to the boats. ("Pay and display" but free to National Trust members)
Yes - the Coast Hopper bus stop is in Morston village, about 5 minutes walk to the quayside
A seal trip on its own lasts for around one hour.
