Classical music draws seals closer on Kolga Bay trips

Seal-watching trips in Kolga Bay use classical music to bring the animals closer to the boat, ERR reports. Trips depart from Neeme harbour every Sunday until September, with passengers spending about an hour at sea.

Captain Anti Nõmmel has taken visitors on seal-watching trips along Estonia’s northern coast for seven years. He said the seals are seen mainly around the Malusi Islands, where they have deep water nearby and can remain undisturbed. Nõmmel has seen around 40 seals at once.

Guide Epp Libe of Prangli Reisid said the seals do swim closer when classical music is played. She attributed this to the music’s calm, flowing rhythms and harmonies, as well as the animals’ curiosity about a sound that is not natural in their marine environment.

A local legend says that in 1894, brothers Aleksander and Gustav Aksberg, who lived on Aksi Island, were sailing home from Oulu when they decided to play the violin and harmonium aboard their boat. They soon heard seals breathing behind the vessel and found that the animals had gathered to follow them. The story gave rise to the idea that classical music could be the key to attracting seals.

Sunday’s trip took place in windy conditions, but participants still saw plenty of seals. One passenger, Jevgeni, said the waves were enjoyable and the seals were exciting to watch in the wild rather than in a zoo.

The Malusi Islands are Harju County’s largest seal habitat. Libe said the chances of seeing seals are greatest in sunny, calm weather. The grey seal is the largest mammal in the Baltic Sea. Males can weigh up to 300 kilograms and grow to more than two metres long.