Strangford Lough is one of the most important marine habitats in Europe. Here's your guide to the wildlife you'll encounter on a Strangford Lough visit.
Strangford Lough is Northern Ireland's largest sea inlet and a Special Area of Conservation, home to an extraordinary diversity of marine and coastal wildlife. Here's what to look for.
Common Seals The most iconic residents of Strangford Lough are its common seals — over 2,000 of them haul out on the rocky islands and shores throughout the year. The best place to see them is Gibbs Island near Portaferry, where large numbers gather. The Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry also rehabilitates injured seals.
Grey Seals Alongside common seals, grey seals are also present in smaller numbers. Grey seals are larger, with a more Roman-nosed profile. They can often be seen further out in the lough.
Brent Geese Every autumn, thousands of light-bellied Brent Geese arrive from their Arctic breeding grounds to overwinter on Strangford Lough. This is one of the most important UK wintering sites for this species — look for them in the shallow mudflats at low tide.
Waders The inter-tidal mudflats support huge numbers of wading birds: curlews, dunlins, knots, bar-tailed godwits, and redshank. The best time for wader-watching is two hours either side of high tide.
Basking Sharks In summer, basking sharks — the world's second-largest fish — are occasionally spotted at the Strangford Narrows, feeding on plankton in the tidal currents.
Seabirds Terns nest on the islands throughout summer, and cormorants, shags, and various gull species are resident year-round. In winter, great northern divers and Slavonian grebes appear.
Castle Ward (Winterfell) The National Trust's Castle Ward estate on the western shore of Strangford Lough includes a mix of habitats — from woodland to shoreline — that support a wide range of wildlife. It's also, of course, famous as a Game of Thrones filming location.
Getting There Our Strangford Lough private tour from Belfast includes hotel pickup, expert guide, and visits to Castle Ward and the Portaferry ferry. A perfect day for wildlife and history lovers.