Whale watching trips ireland whale watching day trips. Whale watch west cork boat tour agency baltimore, ireland. The summer schedule runs from 1 april to 30 october inclusive. Dolphin and whale watching tour from dingle dingle town. Whale watching in ireland is a growing tourism activity. Dingle bay eco tours is a 4 hour boat tour of the blasket islands and dingle bay with the opportunity to see whales, dolphins, seals, basking shark in season, puffins and other marine wildlife and view the wonderful seascapes and landscapes off the west coast of ireland along the wild atlantic w. Whale watching is one of those activities use the calendar to check trip availability. The territorial waters of the republic of ireland have been designated a whale and dolphin sanctuary since 1991. The winter schedule runs from 01 november to 31 march. The tour is informal and casual with experienced skipper and crew and wildlife guide. This is one of the most popular boat tours in ireland and gives you a chance to see dublin like youve never seen it before. Nic slocum phd frgs whales worldwide have teamed up with whale watch west cork, irelands premier whale watch operator, to create an itinerary that will allow you to experience all that. Glide past slea head, the westernmost point of europe, then cruise out to the blasket islands and look out for humpbacks whales, dolphins, seals.
Return via open sea with chance to see dolphins, minke whales, basking shark in season and other species including humpback whales occasionally. Groups of fin whales arrive in late june and feed over a period of some seven months. You will travel in fully licensed, comfortable, clean, safe, high speed craft ribs, the resident friendly dolphin may decide to join you on route to the last port of call for the titanic. Aug 23, 2016 humpback whale breaching off the west cork coast, may 2016 ireland one of europes whalewatching hotspots shortbeaked common dolphin. This year ive seen quite a few porpoises and even dolphins around the north coast but thats not all that common although obviously boat sightings are more common. Cork whale watching is amazing and defo worth doing, colin our guide was brillant, we left the dock at 10am and arrived back at 2. Marine tours whale watching tours ireland dolphin watching. Whales worldwide unique whale and dolphin encounters. Mar, 2014 the whalewatching trip was my first experience on southwest irelands new tourist.
Two blue whales cruise the waters 80100 nautical miles off irelands south coast. The content of this website represents the views of the authors only and is their sole responsibility. There are other species of whales in irish waters, the most common hereabouts being the minke whale and there being a total here of 17 different species of whale and 6 of dolphin with just 1 of porpoise. Travel through ireland s rugged landscapes and welcoming locales during the off season and see your luck change. If you think a 6day vacation in ireland without the typical crowds and highseason prices costs a pot of gold, think again. I would much appreciate any help and contact details to travel agentsprivate trip organisers etc. The irish government declared the coastal waters of ireland a whale and dolphin sanctuary during the early 1990s. Whale watching in ireland irish whale watching west cork ireland. All tours depart from baltimore, harbour, west cork on board voyager daily between april and november sea conditions permitting. Marine whale watch tour boat blasket islands ferry dingle ireland. Here, in the spectacularly beautiful atlantic waters of dingle bay, we regularly encounter at least five species of cetaceans whales and dolphins, with porpoises. How to watch whales and dolphins irelands wildlife.
Dingle bay eco tours is a 4 hour boat tour of the blasket islands and dingle bay with the opportunity to see whales, dolphins, seals, basking shark in season, puffins and other marine wildlife and view the wonderful seascapes and landscapes off the west coast of ireland along the wild atlantic way. Whale watching in west cork, ireland with colin barnes cork. Back in 1991, ireland s biologically diverse waters were declared a whale and dolphin sanctuary, the first of its kind in europe. Our priority this trip is to show our passengers marine ecosystems and the marine habitats of not only cetaceans but also the extensive bird life around the blaskets including the always.
Filming humpback whales off ireland s south coast with cork whale watch duration. Humpback whale breaching off the west cork coast, may 2016 ireland one of europes whalewatching hotspots shortbeaked common dolphin. Cork whale watch reen pier, 5 minutes from, union hall, county cork ireland rated 4. About whale watch west cork responsible tourism award winner whale watch west cork runs responsible whale and dolphin watching tours led by zoologist and conservationist dr nic slocum.
Marvel over the startling coastal scenery as you drive along ireland s wild atlantic way, then hop aboard for a memorable cruise around the bay. In total, 25 different cetacean species have been recorded in irish waters, with large numbers of cetaceans making seasonal passages off the coastline, and a number of resident populations in coastal harbours and transitional. Visitors to your site will appreciate you offering them help with planning their vacation. Back in 1991, irelands biologically diverse waters were declared a whale and dolphin sanctuary, the first of its kind in europe. Whale watching trips ireland whale watching day trips ireland. The autumn months off west cork are some of the best for whale watching with minke whales and common dolphins being regular sightings. Wildlife guide on board and also spotter marine biologist. It has all the advantages mentioned above, plus users to your site can conveniently access it directly on your site. Close encounters with whales and dolphins are up there on most peoples ultimate wildlife bucket list, but it still surprises many when they hear that ireland is one of the best places in europe to see whales and dolphins in the wild. All are welcomed to enjoy one weekend of watching marine wildlife. Of the impressive 25 cetacean species that have been recorded in ireland, a hefty 17 have been seen along the wild atlantic way, with eight considered either common or occasional visitors. Glide past slea head, the westernmost point of europe, then cruise out to the blasket islands and look out for humpbacks whales, dolphins, seals, basking sharks and puffins.
Whale watching in ireland and whale watching in west cork in particular has now reached a high point for whale and dolphin watching enthusiasts the world over. Ireland baltimore west cork whale and dolphin boat trip youtube. Whale watching when you think of going whale watching you may think of far off countries such as canada or australia, however you may be surprised to learn that there is a great deal to see a lot closer to home. Whale of a time boat republic of irelandcorkcloyne. Some of the finest whale and dolphin watching encounters around the globe occur in some of the remotest and most difficult to access locations whales worldwide specialise in getting you to those difficult to get to destinations. Bbc travel whale watching on irelands newest coastal. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to see dolphins or whales during your trip to sea. Sep 15, 2017 whale watching with nic and west whale and dolphin tours. Visit ireland eire, take a whale watching vacation to ireland eire, and enjoy a whale watching trip in ireland eire. Fin whales are the second largest creature on the earth after the blue whale.
West cork is now recognised as one of the best places in europe to go whale watching and you get the dolphins. Since that time according to the irish whale and dolphin group, 25 species have been recorded, ranging in size from the small harbour porpoise to the giant fin whale. Restrictions whale and dolphin weekend break in west cork experience has no restrictions. If you do not see any whales or dolphins, we will be unable to rebook you in. I have found some tours from west ireland but couldnt find anything directly from dublin. Oct 08, 2005 west cork is now recognised as one of the best places in europe to go whale watching and you get the dolphins thrown in for free. A pod of killer whales who regularly swim in irish waters are feared to be in danger of dying out due to pollution.
The tour is informal and casual with experienced skipper and crew and wildlife guide on board. In small family groups or in pairs, these fast moving. The whalewatching trip was my first experience on southwest irelands new tourist. Keep an eye out for humpback, fin and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, rissos. Restrictions whale and dolphin watching weekend has no restrictions. Follow these tips to get the most out of your experience. Being prepared for your whale watch and knowing what to expect can help make your trip a successful one. West cork is now recognised as one of the best places in europe to go whale watching and you get the dolphins thrown in for free. Whale watch west cork baltimore all you need to know. Whale watching with nic and west whale and dolphin tours. Viking splash tours is a guided tour on an amphibious bus thats right, its a road and seamobile.
All whale species seen in this part of ireland range over an area between cape clear and the old head of kinsale but may frequently be seen feeding in company and with common dolphins in attendance. Irelands southwest coast is one of the easiest places in the world. The irish air corps captured some phenomenal images last week when they encountered fin whales and two incredibly rare blue whales in irish waters near the continental shelf edge about 80100 nautical miles off irelands south coast. The voyage took us out to the fastnet rock, close to a feeding frenzy of diving gannets and great numbers of manx shearwaters. Hi all, im coming to dublin on wednesday and im trying to arrange a nice boat trip for a group of friends to watch whales, seals andor dolphins. Whaling in ireland stranded whales were, of course, very important in medieval times. Marine whale watch tour boat blasket islands ferry dingle. To be honest northern ireland is not really renowned for whale watching. Whale watching in west cork, ireland with colin barnes. Ireland baltimore west cork whale and dolphin boat trip casper aerial videos. The whale watching season in southwest ireland is long with a number of different species being seen from april through to december.
Multiaward winning whale watch west cork runs responsible whale and dolphin watching tours led by. There are 12 tours going to ireland, with the most popular time to go being may, which has the most number of tour departures. Whale of a time caters for family fun, corporate hire and whale and dolphin watching. The possibility of an increase of whales into our waters is a continuing subject for debate. Overview dingle bay eco tours is a 4 hour boat tour of the blasket islands and dingle bay with the opportunity to see whales, dolphins, seals, basking shark in season, puffins and other marine wildlife and view the wonderful seascapes and landscapes off the west coast of ireland along the wild atlantic way.
Some of the best whalewatching in the world is right at our doorstep and most of us have yet to take advantage of it. Ireland baltimore sherkin island cape clear duration. Bbc travel whale watching on irelands newest coastal route. Minke whales may be seen in pairs or small feeding groups during may. When it comes to unique wildlife encounters there are few things as breathtaking and humbling as coming face to face with the worlds largest creatures. Sep, 2012 two blue whales cruise the waters 80100 nautical miles off irelands south coast. Cetacean, the collective noun for our three types of marine mammal species. It will be the highlight of your irish and west cork holiday experience. Dolphin watching galway west of ireland boat trip the. Click the button below and complete the bookingenquiry form for your. The whales and dolphins of southwest ireland tour destination. Eco marine wildlife and dolphin whale watching boat tours around the blasket islands blasket island ferry dingle peninsula, west kerry, ireland. This action is part of project wildsea europe and project waoh route, which have received funding from the european unions cosme programme 20142020 and the european maritime and fisheries fund emff.
Whale watching holiday to ireland whales worldwide. Filming humpback whales off irelands south coast with cork whale watch duration. Marvel over the startling coastal scenery as you drive along irelands wild atlantic way, then hop aboard for a memorable cruise around the bay. Responsible tourism award winner whale watch west cork runs responsible whale and dolphin watching tours led by zoologist and conservationist dr nic slocum. Mar 02, 20 whaling in ireland stranded whales were, of course, very important in medieval times. Welcome to blasket islands eco marine tours, your irish wildlife tour specialist for whale watching and dolphin and bird watching trips on the dingle peninsula,co kerry, ireland. Irish killer whales feared to be in danger of dying out. The whales we are likely to encounter during our whale watching tours vary with the time of the year.
The word does little to explain and illustrate the excitement that a sighting of these species produces amongst the passengers on a boat or the walkers on a lonely cliff top. Here, in the spectacularly beautiful atlantic waters of dingle bay, we regularly encounter at least five species of cetaceans whales. These oftenspotted species range in size from the small harbour porpoise to the planets second largest animal, the glorious giant fin whale. The first of its kind in europe, this paved the way for whale watching. Ireland baltimore west cork whale and dolphin boat trip. Whale watching in ireland irish whale watching west cork. Whale watchingseeing some of the largest animals on earth in their natural habitatcan be a thrilling activity. Whale watching northern ireland message board tripadvisor.