Ilfracombe Sea Safari

The boats leave from Ilfracombe harbour on the North Devon coast, and if you've got even a passing interest in marine life, this is where you'll spend a proper morning. The Sea Safari takes small groups out into the Bristol Channel on the lookout for dolphins, seals, and basking sharks - yes, actual basking sharks, though spotting them isn't guaranteed and the crew are honest about that.

What makes it work is the scale. You're not crammed onto a massive tour vessel with hundreds of others. The smaller boats get closer to the wildlife and navigate into coves that the bigger operators can't reach. On a decent day, you'll see grey seals hauled out on rocks, cormorants diving, and if you're lucky, harbour porpoises or bottlenose dolphins cutting through the water. The crew know their stuff and actually care about getting you a good experience rather than just running through the motions.

Walkers and wildlife enthusiasts will get the most from this. It's not a thrill ride - it's genuinely educational and surprisingly peaceful. Kids aged eight and up tend to enjoy it, though very young children might struggle with the boat motion or the waiting around. Allow three to four hours door-to-door.

Stay at Hele Valley Holiday Park, barely half a mile away, and you've got something special to break up a seaside week. The harbour town of Ilfracombe itself is worth a wander - proper North Devon charm without being too polished. Watermouth Valley Camping Park is also close by if you want somewhere slightly quieter.