Seals & Porpoise
Atlantic Grey Seals
Atlantic Grey seals, which are the largest of the two UK seal species, are a common sighting off the Pembrokeshire Coast.
Ramsey Island is home to the largest breeding colony of Atlantic grey seals in southern Britain. Normally grey in colour, their dark blotches, and spots can be used when trying to identify individuals. Atlantic Grey seals characteristically have large snouts, earning the nickname, hook-nosed sea pig.
Pupping season occurs from September, seeing Ramsey Island become filled with hundreds of white fluffy seal pups.
In early spring, the Atlantic grey seals will go through their spring molt, at which time their fur becomes irritated by the salt water. Seeking refuge from the salt water, the seals can be seen on rocks or on the many sheltered beaches around Ramsey Island.
These unique refuge points offer fantastic opportunities for spotting the Seals whilst out on our Ramsey Island Adventure, and makes for a photographer’s dream.
Harbour Porpoise
Ramsey Sound is home to our residential pod of Harbour Porpoise.
Harbour Porpoise are amongst the smallest of cetacean species, and as its name suggests, can be found mostly in coastal areas.
A cousin to the Dolphin, they have a small triangular shaped, dark grey dorsal fin, and clear white underside, and grow to a maximum of between 1.4 – 1.9m in length.
These shy, solitary species, can be found feeding in Ramsey Sound, a tidal area, where on an ebb tide, the porpoise can feed freely, mostly on small pelagic schooling fish, such as hake, pollack and herring.
Unlike Dolphins, Harbour Porpoise either tend to be alone, or in smaller groups of three to five. Porpoises produce ultrasonic clicks, which are used for social communication and to help navigate.
Whilst out on our Ramsey Island Adventure, we come across Harbour Porpoise daily, going about their business, unbothered by our presence, with no real interaction with us or our vessel.