What do I need to bring?
All you need to bring is a towel and a swimming costume. We provide wetsuits, masks, fins and snorkels. There will also be a hot drink and a snack for you when you get back in the boat. If you're spending the whole day on St Martin's there's plenty of places to eat and drink or you could bring a packed lunch and explore our beautiful island at your leisure.
Where do the trips take place and how long are they?
The seal snorkelling trips are run from our shed which is located on the beach opposite Higher Town Quay, St Martin's. The trips last approximately three hours.
Is there a minimum age limit to snorkel?
Our minimum age is 8 years old and all children must be accompanied by an adult. There is no maximum age limit.
How much does it cost and how can I pay?
We charge £49 per person, if there's a group of four or more of you then the price drops to £45 per person. If you don't want to get wet but want to watch your party snorkel it costs £20 per person. You can pay on the the day by cash or cheque. We can take BACS payments if you want to pay in advance, just ask us for our bank details.
All you need to bring is a towel and a swimming costume. We provide wetsuits, masks, fins and snorkels. There will also be a hot drink and a snack for you when you get back in the boat. If you're spending the whole day on St Martin's there's plenty of places to eat and drink or you could bring a packed lunch and explore our beautiful island at your leisure.
Where do the trips take place and how long are they?
The seal snorkelling trips are run from our shed which is located on the beach opposite Higher Town Quay, St Martin's. The trips last approximately three hours.
Is there a minimum age limit to snorkel?
Our minimum age is 8 years old and all children must be accompanied by an adult. There is no maximum age limit.
How much does it cost and how can I pay?
We charge £49 per person, if there's a group of four or more of you then the price drops to £45 per person. If you don't want to get wet but want to watch your party snorkel it costs £20 per person. You can pay on the the day by cash or cheque. We can take BACS payments if you want to pay in advance, just ask us for our bank details.
When do the trips take place?
We run seal snorkelling trips from March/April time through to September. Our morning trips usually start at 09:00, the afternoon ones at 12:30. All trips are weather dependent.
What if I'm not staying on St Martin's?
We will ask you to come up to St Martin's on the scheduled tripper boats that come from the other islands. If you land at Lower Town, there will be a 30 min walk up to Higher Town. If you're booked on a morning trip we do offer a pick up service which costs £7 per person - the scheduled boats generally don't leave until 10.15. We can only collect from Old Grimsby, Tresco or St Mary's harbour. Your return trip from St Martin's will be by scheduled island tripper boats at your own expense.
What time do the tripper boats go back?
The boats to St Mary's leave at 2.30, 3.45 and 4.45. The Firethorn leaves for Tresco and Bryher at 4.30 and the Spirit leaves for St Agnes at 4.00. We will happily check boat times and which quay they will leave from for you on the day. If your boat leaves from Lower Town due to tides, you will have a 30 min walk to the other end of the island.
We run seal snorkelling trips from March/April time through to September. Our morning trips usually start at 09:00, the afternoon ones at 12:30. All trips are weather dependent.
What if I'm not staying on St Martin's?
We will ask you to come up to St Martin's on the scheduled tripper boats that come from the other islands. If you land at Lower Town, there will be a 30 min walk up to Higher Town. If you're booked on a morning trip we do offer a pick up service which costs £7 per person - the scheduled boats generally don't leave until 10.15. We can only collect from Old Grimsby, Tresco or St Mary's harbour. Your return trip from St Martin's will be by scheduled island tripper boats at your own expense.
What time do the tripper boats go back?
The boats to St Mary's leave at 2.30, 3.45 and 4.45. The Firethorn leaves for Tresco and Bryher at 4.30 and the Spirit leaves for St Agnes at 4.00. We will happily check boat times and which quay they will leave from for you on the day. If your boat leaves from Lower Town due to tides, you will have a 30 min walk to the other end of the island.
Can I come from the UK mainland on a day trip and come out with the seals?
Yes but you need to come over on the first flight of the day from Land's End or Newquay and come out on a morning trip. You will be back on St Mary's by about 3pm. Sadly you can't do this experience if you're planning a day trip on the Scillonian.
I've never done this before!
Don't worry you'll be given advice and guidance on how to snorkel. No experience is necessary all we say is that you must be confident to swim in open water. The wetsuits you'll be wearing will make you very bouyant so there's no chance that you will sink! We also have a couple of life rings on the boat which people often use for a little more confidence in the water.
Will the water be cold?
Yes! The warmest the water gets is about 15 degrees C. You will however be in a wetsuit and many of our customers happily spend 45 mins to an hour in the water. There will be a hot drink and a snack waiting for you when you get back on the boat.
How do I get back into the boat?
We have a ladder which you will use to get back on the boat. When you're ready to come out of the water, we will take your fins off for you and then you can climb into the boat using the ladder.
Do we have to book places on a trip?
Yes you need to book your place in advance.
Yes but you need to come over on the first flight of the day from Land's End or Newquay and come out on a morning trip. You will be back on St Mary's by about 3pm. Sadly you can't do this experience if you're planning a day trip on the Scillonian.
I've never done this before!
Don't worry you'll be given advice and guidance on how to snorkel. No experience is necessary all we say is that you must be confident to swim in open water. The wetsuits you'll be wearing will make you very bouyant so there's no chance that you will sink! We also have a couple of life rings on the boat which people often use for a little more confidence in the water.
Will the water be cold?
Yes! The warmest the water gets is about 15 degrees C. You will however be in a wetsuit and many of our customers happily spend 45 mins to an hour in the water. There will be a hot drink and a snack waiting for you when you get back on the boat.
How do I get back into the boat?
We have a ladder which you will use to get back on the boat. When you're ready to come out of the water, we will take your fins off for you and then you can climb into the boat using the ladder.
Do we have to book places on a trip?
Yes you need to book your place in advance.
Will I see seals?
Yes there is a colony of seals at the Eastern Isles all year round. As the seals are wild animals the only thing we cannot guarentee is how close they will come. If you're lucky they may come really close and nibble at your fins. Our top tip for when you're in the water is to keep looking behind you! Also seals can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes so keep looking under the water as the seals may be lying in the kelp.
Do the seals bite?
No but as the seals are wild animals its best not to put your hand in their mouths. The seals may nibble at your fins. They are like dogs and use their mouth to explore objects and feel textures.
Can I have a shower after the trip?
No. Water is a precious resource on the off islands so we do not have proper showering facilities. We do however have a solar shower so you can have a quick rinse off after your trip.
Yes there is a colony of seals at the Eastern Isles all year round. As the seals are wild animals the only thing we cannot guarentee is how close they will come. If you're lucky they may come really close and nibble at your fins. Our top tip for when you're in the water is to keep looking behind you! Also seals can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes so keep looking under the water as the seals may be lying in the kelp.
Do the seals bite?
No but as the seals are wild animals its best not to put your hand in their mouths. The seals may nibble at your fins. They are like dogs and use their mouth to explore objects and feel textures.
Can I have a shower after the trip?
No. Water is a precious resource on the off islands so we do not have proper showering facilities. We do however have a solar shower so you can have a quick rinse off after your trip.
Can I bring a dog?
No, we do not allow dogs on board the RIB, we are however happy for dogs to be left at our shed.
Can I send the children on their own?
No, all children must be accompanied by an adult.
What if the weather is bad?
We reserve the right to cancel a trip if we feel the weather and sea conditions make it unsuitable for snorkelling. Please ensure your mobile is on the night before your trip in case we do need to contact you.
Where do I leave my things?
You leave all your belongings on dry land, we come back to St Martin's to get changed. If you have any valuables with you we can lock them away in our shed to keep them safe.
No, we do not allow dogs on board the RIB, we are however happy for dogs to be left at our shed.
Can I send the children on their own?
No, all children must be accompanied by an adult.
What if the weather is bad?
We reserve the right to cancel a trip if we feel the weather and sea conditions make it unsuitable for snorkelling. Please ensure your mobile is on the night before your trip in case we do need to contact you.
Where do I leave my things?
You leave all your belongings on dry land, we come back to St Martin's to get changed. If you have any valuables with you we can lock them away in our shed to keep them safe.