Saimaa Ringed Seal trips
In Lake Saimaa, there lives a unique animal that you cannot find anywhere else in the world – the Saimaa ringed seal (Pusa saimensis), known in Finnish as “norppa”.
The roots of the Saimaa ringed seal go back around 8,000 years to when it was separated from other ringed seal populations after the last ice age. Since then, it has adapted to living in fresh water. There are currently around 530 seals in Lake Saimaa.
The Saimaa ringed seal is a mammal that lives in the water and only visits dry land on occasion. May and June are the best months for seal spotting because after the ice melts from the lakes, the seals change their fur and warm themselves on the rocks in the spring sunshine.
If you would like to see a Saimaa ringed seal, it is advisable to go on a seal excursion with an experienced guide. The guides know Lake Saimaa and its seals like the backs of their hands! If you go on an excursion with a guide in the spring time, you are almost guaranteed to get a look at this endangered animal. These tours and safaris are always done with the best interests of the seals in mind, and they are never disturbed.
Seal trips are organised from May until October. As the Saimaa ringed seal is a wild animal living in its natural habitat, sightings can never be guaranteed. Still, every excursion offers a memorable nature experience on the unique waters of Lake Saimaa.
In addition to the seal, you may also spot other remarkable wildlife along the way, such as the osprey, another protected species of the area, and sometimes even beavers or other animals living in the lake landscape.
Nature is always full of surprises. Whether or not the seal appears, the trip offers beautiful scenery, peaceful moments on the water, beautiful sunsets and a chance to slow down, relax and reconnect with nature.
