Departing from Shalfleet Pier, "The Safaris" offer guests, a truly memorable and educational experience into the bird and plant life of this unique and beautiful natural environment.
     

The Safaris

Operated by proprietor, and Shalfleet resident, Michael Waterhouse (who lives at the Manor) has published a number of books on birds, and is a past council member of The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge.

The Safaris include a one hour boat trip around Newtown Estuary taking in both Clamerkin Lake and Western Haven. Your vessel is a 17ft Boston Whaler called "Whaup" (the scottish country name for a Curlew) is licensed to take 6 passengers, and is the only way to really experience the glories of the Newtown Estuary.
Shalfleet Manor - Estuary Safaris - Isle of Wight
     
Shalfleet Manor - Newtown Estuary Safari
Isle of Wight - Estuary Safari
 Shalfleet Manor - Isle of Wight
     
The cruises operate throughout the year (subject to conditions) with each season having its own unique offering, and subject of special interest :
     
Shalfleet Manor - Winter
   Shalfleet Manor - Spring
In Winter when most of the visitors have departed, thousands of wading birds and wildfowl make the estuary their home. These include the Golden Plover, Dunlin, Wigeon, Teal, Brent Goose, Little Egret, Kingfisher, Merganser, and Peregrine Falcon.   Spring is known as the "bird song season" and brings a variety of species which include the Nightingale, Lesser Whitethroat, Cuckoo, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Black Headed Gull, Willow Warbler, and Whimbrel.
Shalfleet Manor - Summer
  
Shalfleet Manor - Autumn
In Summer when the birdlife is less frantic one can still enjoy the acrobatics of the Sea Swallows, the Terns, the predatory skills of the Osprey, and the romance of the Nightingale song.   The Autumn heralds the arrival of the Grey Plover, Greenshank, Black-Tailed Godwit, Curlew, Knot, Lapwing, Redshank, Merlin, and Bartailed Godwit.