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Ocean Calling

Ocean Atlas · Europe and Mediterranean

Europe and Mediterranean

Estonia

A cold Baltic coast where grey seals rest on rocks near Tallinn. Shared as a story only, with no trips.

Grey seal
Grey seal, found in the waters of the wider region · Photo: liam1294, iNaturalist, cc-by
Story only

Story only, for now. We love learning about this place and its ocean, so we share its story here and do not sell trips yet. Checked by Ocean Calling on 6 Oct 2026. Sources: Foreign travel advice Estonia, UK FCDO; Estonia sets seal hunting quota at 55, ERR News; Seals giving birth should not be disturbed, Loodusemees (Estonian nature calendar).

Why: Estonia's coast is home to grey seals and ringed seals, and its Nature Conservation Act protects seal breeding and moulting grounds so they can rest in peace. The Environmental Board asks people to pass a seal pup from a distance, because disturbing seals can harm the young and mothers may defend them. We would only watch quietly from a boat at a respectful distance, never use sounds to draw seals closer, and never approach resting animals.

🧭 Travel advice, checked 30 Sep 2026. The UK FCDO travel advice for Estonia notes that some Ukrainian drones aimed at Russia have crossed into Estonian airspace, and asks travellers to follow official guidance as necessary. Sources: UK FCDO travel advice, Estonia Advice differs by passport: check your own government before you plan.

Wildlife watching

Why Estonia

Estonia is known for Tallinn, forests, bogs and birds. Grey seals rest on rocks near Malusi and Kolga Bay, with about 4,000 in Estonian waters according to tourism figures, which we treat as an estimate. Ringed seals are few and avoid people. Some boat trips play music to draw seals close, and that is a lure we reject. This is story only and we do not go.

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

KazakhstanUzbekistanRussiaNorwayGreenlandFranceSwedenBelarusUkrainePolandAustriaHungaryMoldovaRomaniaLithuaniaLatviaEstoniaGermanyBulgariaCroatiaSwitzerlandLuxembourgBelgiumNetherlandsSpainIrelandItalyDenmarkUnited KingdomIcelandGeorgiaSloveniaFinlandSlovakiaCzechiaBosnia and Herz.SerbiaMontenegroKosovoMalusi and Kolga Bay, Estonia

When to go

Jun-Sep. Timing changes by place and by animal, so check each place below.

We share this place as a story so you can learn. There is no Ocean Calling trip.

Our ethics check

Can we travel here ethically?

Story only

We tell the story. We do not sell a trip here.

Checked 6 Oct 2026. Places change, so we look again every year.

Sources for this check
The story

Where in Estonia

We share these places as stories and research notes. We do not offer or sell trips here.

Malusi and Kolga Bay

Story only

Rocky islets in the Gulf of Finland where grey seals rest.

Also seen: Grey seals (from a boat, quiet, never landing)

Animals

Animals recorded in Estonia

Tap an animal to learn how it lives, where it travels and how to meet it respectfully.

Land animals
Grey seal resting on a seaweed rock in Northumberland, UKGrey sealHalichoerus grypusSeen in 13 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSpotted harbor seal lifting its head out of calm waterHarbor sealPhoca vitulinaSeen in 13 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernA young ringed seal of the Gulf of Bothnia in the Taskisenperä marina in Oulu, FinlandBaltic ringed sealPusa hispida botnicaSeen in 4 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernHarbour porpoise rolling at the surface off Berry Head, DevonHarbour porpoisePhocoena phocoenaSeen in 20 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernMoon jellyfish in a harbour in Zeeland, NetherlandsMoon jellyfishAurelia aurita and other Aurelia speciesSeen in 33 countries in the AtlasNot EvaluatedA single silvery herring angled through deep blue water off Skjervoy, northern NorwayAtlantic herringClupea harengusSeen in 21 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernWhite-tailed eagle in flight low over calm water with a fish in its talons, near Raftsund, Lofoten, NorwayWhite-tailed eagleHaliaeetus albicillaSeen in 38 countries in the AtlasLives on landLeast ConcernRinged seal lying on snow and ice, dark with pale ring markings on its backRinged sealPusa hispidaSeen in 13 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernGreat cormorant perched on a branch, with white head plumes and a glossy blue-black backGreat cormorantPhalacrocorax carboSeen in 90 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernClose view of a northern gannet face, with pale blue eyes and a golden headNorthern gannetMorus bassanusSeen in 38 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern
Curious?

Why this is a story, not a trip

Read our ethics check above. If you would like to talk about it, Rocío is happy to explain.

Ask RocíoBack to the Ocean Atlas

Also in Europe and Mediterranean
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