Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Trips. Seals and Seabirds Tours. Marine Wildlife Tour Atlantic Marine Trips

Whale, Dolphin and Marine Tours

The southwest coast of Ireland is rich in large marine life due to the plankton-rich waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There are many marine species including seals, dolphins, porpoises, and whales. Some whale species are migratory and follow the food while others are year-round residents, mostly south of the Shannon Estuary. Marine trips can be in a rib or in a larger boat and we can advise which is best suited to your group. Whale and dolphin trips in Ireland are of great value compared to Vancouver where it costs from €100 to €400 for a trip.  In  1955  the film Moby Dicy,  starring  Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab, was filmed in Youghal, Co Cork.. The film was based on the 1851 book by Herman Melville novel called  Moby-Dick and scenes are found on the outside of the pub opposite the Tourist Office in Youghal. The 2015 film The Heart of the Sea starring Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson, and  Chris Hemsworth, tells the story of the New England Whaling ship sunk by a giant whale in 1820, which inspired the Moby Dick book.

The Atlantic waters of Ireland are a Marine Nature reserve for whales.  As you drive the Wild Atlantic Way there are reminders of whales, and Kilbrittan, Co Cork has the complete skeleton of a whale that was washed up on the shore close by. The Natural History Museum in Dublin also has the full skeleton of a humpback whale hung from the 2nd floor-ceiling up to 2020, which can be viewed here.  Close up the Skeleton of the Whale is so large compared to the humans. The renovations are still ongoing at the Museum and the Whale Skeletons will not be up for some years. The Irish Cetacean Genetic Tissue Bank (OCGTB) was established in 2007 and samples of all whale and dolphins who die along the Irish Coast is sampled and retained for research purposes

Places to take Boat Trips 

• Old Head of Kinsale, Cork
• Fastnet Lighthouse Boat Tour, Cork
• Skibberreen, Co Cork.
• Glengarriff, West Cork
• Portmagee, Co Kerry
• Dingle, Co Kerry.
• Wild Atlantic Way Coast.

Types of Dolphins – there are many species of dolphins in Irish coastal waters including Common Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, and Risso’s Dolphins. Some of them enjoy bow surfing boats and can often be seen on boat trips off the Irish coast. Porpoises are smaller than dolphins and are found nearer to harbors.

Basking Sharks – (6-8 m long) are the second-largest sharks, feed on plankton, and are found off the southwest coast of  Ireland which accounts for 15-20% of the world’s basking shark population. These large mammals are not aggressive and are harmless to humans. In March 2022 the Irish Government announced that basking sharks had been given ‘Protected Wild Animal’ status under the Wildlife Act which involves a code of conduct to support sustainable eco-tourism development. These gentle giants of the ocean cannot be hunted, and it is illegal to interfere with their breeding or resting places

Whales –  

The Latin name for Whales is Cetacean and they can be very large indeed.  The most common types of whales off the Irish southwest coast are Minke, Humpback and Fin, and Sperm Whales. Other whale species live off the west coast on the continental shelf, feeding off the rich phytoplankton and small fish such as herrings, mackerel, and krill. The females often shelter with their calves in bays and off islands. Whales can be seen through binoculars from some Irish headlands but it’s best to take a half-day boat trip to get closer to these amazing creatures with these being the most regularly spotted.

The latin name for Whales is Cetacean and they can be very large indeed.  The most common types of whales off the Irish southwest coast are Minke, Humpback and Fin, and Sperm Whales. Other whale species live off the west coast on the continental shelf, feeding off the rich phytoplankton and small fish such as herrings, mackerel, and krill. The females often shelter with their calves in bays and off islands. Whales can be seen through binoculars from some Irish headlands but it’s best to take a half-day boat trip to get closer to these amazing creatures with these being the most regularly spotted.

Places to view Whales and Dolphins from the Coast

Co Cork – The most likely place to see whales is off the South West Coast of Cork from Kinsale to Mizen Head for the cliff-tops. A boat trip to Cape Clear will often pass basking sharks and dolphins, with whales being more likely seen to the south of the island. Whales and calves will be found in summer resting inside Carbery’s Hundred Isles and the boat trips are the best way to see these amazing mammals. 

Co Kerry – Dingle had a dolphin named Fungi who became the center of tourism for over 30 years. Fungi lived at the mouth of Dingle harbor and disappeared in 2020.  Whale Watching off the Slea Head headland, overlooking the Blasket sound is one of the many places for Whale Watching.  A Boat trip around Skellig will often include dolphins frolicking in the water, and very occasionally larger mammals. 

Loop Head Co Clare – The Shannon estuary has a resident pod of dolphins who can be seen… Off Loop Head on a clear day, you may see 

Mayo –  on the west coast of Achill Island are the highest cliffs of the EU. Whales can occasionally be seen off the coast here. 

Donegal – Tory Island of the northwest in the Atlantic is a good place to view whales, as is Aranmore Island. Lough Foyle provides a safe harbor for whales and calves and can occasionally be seen in the summer months. 

Conclusion 

A Marine Nature Tour is an amazing experience on a holiday in Ireland but needs to be pre-booked well in advance as they are in high demand. These are wild animals, so to feel part of nature take one of the trips we offer with the best local guides. 

You can take a boat trip, weather depending, from April to October in the morning or afternoon. There are no guarantees on what you will see out on the water, but it will be an unforgettable experience. Please advise us on the ages of those taking part as the Sea Safaris are not suited to children, those who are pregnant, have heart condition or back problems. There are ways for all the family to take a trip to see – and Activity Days will organize the best trip for you. Private trips can be organized as well. There is nothing more exciting than seeing a basking shark swim past or the signs of Whale fishing. They work the shoals of fish into a ball, with dolphins and marine birds all getting in to help and eat. Take a look at the guidelines on what to wear as you will be on the water for 2-3 hours.  You may see Whales, Dolphins, and Seals off the Irish Coast at any time of the year from cliff-tops but the best experience by far is by boat trip.