Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary

The Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary’s aims are to rescue and provide treatment for sick, distressed, and injured marine life.  They rehabilitate, provide and maintain homes for animals that have no chance in the wild and then work to release them back into the sea once they are healthy.  The staff also strive to educate the community on the marine environment, especially important since the town is right on the coast of the North Sea in Norfolk County, England.

Grey seals and common seals are found all along the eastern coast of the United Kingdom and they comprise two thirds of the world’s seal population.  The grey seals love spots that are inaccessible to humans, islands, caves and coves.  The casual observer can tell the two species apart as the common seals are smaller and their bodies are more spotted.  These seals prefer the sand banks, rocky or shingle beaches and sand beaches.

The sanctuary is open to the public everyday of the year except Christmas from 10am to the last admission at 4pm.  The closing times for the centre vary by season and visitors are advised to call for both closing times and admission fees.  Entry tickets are valid for the entire day it is issued and other displays include starfish, sharks, sting rays, penguins, otters, seahorses, and other aquarium life.  There are feeding demonstrations spaced out over the course of the day and the centre offers both a café and gift shop for visitor’s enjoyment.  Currently there is a Japanese Crab exhibit available to view in the aquarium.