One of the most memorable aspects of this British and Irish Isles expedition is how much the places we visit vary. Yesterday we were sailing into the narrow entrance of Fowey harbor in a shroud of early morning fog, and yet today we hopped into the Zodiacs and speeded toward Tresco Island in the Scilly Isles–all the while bathed in sunshine and with a backdrop of beaches more akin to a Caribbean postcard than a British Isles experience.
The Scilly Isles lie off the southwest of the British coastline. They are famous not only for their beaches, but also for their treacherous reefs that have claimed the lives of many sailors in bygone centuries. Today it was hard to imagine the wild weather that has claimed so many lives as the weather was gorgeous. The sea was calm, the skies were blue, and the idyllic picture-postcard Scilly Isles setting was what we experienced.
While the majority of the ship headed to Tresco to explore the magnificent gardens, or over to St Mary’s to see more of the town and its quirky and quaint buildings and beaches, the dive team headed to St Martin’s. The reason being there was an opportunity not to be passed by to snorkel with gray seals.
When embarking on an expedition around the British and Irish Isles, the marine life is not necessarily the first thing that springs to mind. However, this voyage encompasses some of the most remarkable and rare underwater opportunities there are to be had. Gray seals have and will be spotted throughout this voyage and typically they are spotted from a Zodiac or in the distance form the shoreline. What appears as a big blubbery and relatively immotile animal whilst hauled out on a rocky shore instantaneously transforms into a lithe and agile creature in the water.
Today the dive team was able to join a local operation that was headed out to snorkel with these fascinating creatures. The most surprising thing was the size of these seals–the males are big! Not only are they over two meters in length and can weigh over 200kg, they also have a large head with a prominent roman-like nose. When face to face with an animal of this size you can never be sure what your reaction might be. However, initial trepidation quickly gave way to complete awe.
These seals were as interested in us as we were of them. While many of the smaller and lighter colored females remained at a distance, a number of the cumbersome males approached us repeatedly for a close inspection. Not only did they attempt to nibble on our fins, but one male decided to approach our dive buddy Amy for a peck on the cheek!
Being in the water with these animals reminded us once again that this British and Irish Isles voyage is a continuous expedition of great surprises.
