The Farne Islands are a well-known group of rocks a couple of miles offshore of the Northumberland coast in the UK’s north east and are inhabited by a few thousand Atlantic grey seals. Organized by Wetpixel Editor Adam Hanlon, a group of seven photogs assembled in idyllic weather at Beadnell to meet Paul Walker and his powerful 10 meter RIB “Farnes Discovery”. Our first dive was over a rocky gully studded with urchins and starfish promising some excellent compositions and negative space.

Uncharacteristically the seals were not in their usual playful and engaging mood and whether free swimming or resting on the bottom would not allow a close approach. Paul was bemused by this as on the two days prior to our trip his dive parties had been mobbed by our now reticent subjects. We changed sites for the second dive of the day and found a very shallow bay with dozens of seals in the water and hauled out basking on the rocks. Again, I found them “spooky” and finished my dive early. A highlight of this dive for a couple of Wetpixelers was to find a pair mating in the shallows which, so preoccupied, allowed for a close approach.

Most of our group met for an evening meal and found that we had journeyed from far and wide making lengthy day-long drives to this remote and beautiful location. Our skipper had cast doubts on the weather prospects for our second day and before going to bed the anticipated wind and rain showers arrived. The next morning our group assembled at the launch point with a whole gale blowing and no chance of diving.

On its day, the Farne Islands offers probably the best diving with seals in Europe and the “Farnes Discovery” is one of a few similar dive boats launching daily from Beadnell. Many thanks to all our fellow photogs for their company and companionship.