In another entry from SCUBA magazine's 2025 writing competition, A Dive to Remember, David Anderson enjoys a life-affirming encounter with a grey seal in the Farne Islands.
Briefing:
My first dive in the Farne Islands was an experience I’ll never forget. From the moment I stepped onto the small RIB, excitement and nerves churned in my stomach.
The dive:
The North Sea stretched before us, a vast, unyielding expanse of deep blue, and the cold wind bit at my face as the boat sped toward the dive site. The other divers chatted eagerly, sharing stories of past encounters, but I stayed quiet, absorbing the moment. I had heard about the incredible marine life in these waters, but I had no idea just how magical this dive would be.
As we reached the site, I took a deep breath, adjusted my mask, and rolled back into the sea. The freezing water hit me like a shockwave, stealing my breath for a moment. My body tensed, but as I descended, the stillness of the underwater world took over. The visibility was surprisingly clear, revealing a swaying forest of kelp stretching endlessly below me. Fish darted between the fronds, and crabs scuttled along the seabed, but then, through the gloom, I saw something that made my heart skip a beat.
A seal – sleek, graceful, and completely at ease in the water – emerged from the shadows. It locked eyes with me, tilting its head as if trying to figure out what I was. I barely had time to react before another one appeared, circling me playfully. Then, without warning, I felt a sharp tug at my fin. Panic surged through me for a split second. Had I snagged something? But as I turned, I was met with an unexpected sight—a young, mischievous seal gripping my fin with its mouth before darting away like a playful pup.
I laughed into my regulator, watching in amazement as the seal flipped and spiralled through the water, almost as if it was showing off. Then, in a moment that felt almost too surreal to be true, it swam right up to my mask, staring at me with wide, curious eyes before gently nudging my hand. My heart pounded. Was it… asking me to play?
For the rest of the dive, the seal stuck by my side, weaving between my legs, tugging at my fins, and even mimicking my movements. It was as if I had been accepted into its underwater world. At one point, it even nuzzled against my arm before darting off into the blue. I had always heard stories about the friendly Farne Island seals, but nothing could have prepared me for this kind of interaction.
Debrief:
As I surfaced, the cold air rushed against my face, but I hardly noticed. My mind was still deep below, reliving every second of that incredible encounter. I had come to the Farne Islands expecting great diving, but I left with something much more – a connection with the wild, and a story I would tell for the rest of my life.
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This article was originally published in SCUBA magazine, Issue 157, July/August 2025. For more membership benefits, visit bsac.com/benefits.
Images in this online version may have been substituted from the original images in SCUBA magazine due to usage rights.
