Seal Watching on Prince Edward Island

For a small place to visit, Prince Edward Island has a very large seal colony. The wildlife sanctuary is home to hundreds of seals along with other types of wildlife, too. A short cruise or trip down the Murray River will quickly take you to the colony on smooth waters with less chance of sea or motion sickness spoiling your day, then coming in from the open ocean side.

The best way to go about this adventure is to book space on a seal watching tour boat, and there are many commercial operations from which to choose on Prince Edward Island. And, they are very easy to locate. Simply call up the local tourism office for a directory. Or you can ask at the front desk of your hotel or bed and breakfast when you check in. Look for tours headed to the eastern part of PEI since the larger colonies of seals reside there.

If you happen to be a do it yourself person, then maybe renting a kayak or canoe is the best way to go. It will allow you get closer to the seals for the best view. Before getting out on the water, however, ask the locals or boat owners about the best places to tour and to get the best looks at the animals. You should only go this route if you're good at handling canoes or kayaks and understand that you need to give the wildlife plenty of space so as not to disturb them.

Call the local visitor's centers and offices for advice on the best venue for watching seals. The locals will also have the best information and advice and the wise traveler always asks first before venturing out. The locals will also be able to tell you where to watch from the land, should you prefer not getting your feet wet on a boat. Watching from land allows you to stay as long as you want, where as on a boat you're at the mercy of the captain's schedule.

Sometimes, when you out hiking or taking a drive from one destination to another, you may even spot smaller colonies of seals along the ocean side where you least expect them. So keep your eyes open and your camera ready and enjoy the scenery.