Whale & wildlife watching

The waters of southwest Ireland are exceptionally rich in marine life and Baltimore in West Cork is one of the centres at the heart of the explosive growth in Irish whale and dolphin watching. Seeing whales and dolphins close-up from a whale-watching boat is one of the most exciting experiences a holiday can offer. The season usually begins in late spring, minke whales being among the first to appear, along with several kinds of dolphin, some of which perform spontaneous airborne displays alongside the moving boat. The climax of the season is from late summer onwards with the advent of the giant fin whales – the second largest animal on earth – while there is also the chance of sighting an acrobatic humpback whale.

There is lots of other marine wildlife, too. Seals are everywhere and there is the possibility of a basking shark or even a turtle, while sunfish or blue shark are often to be seen cruising the surface in fine weather. Baltimore and the islands, in particular Cape Clear where there is a famous bird observatory, are a paradise for birdwatching. Rarities are possible at any time of year. Late summer is especially good for sea watching, when species like petrels, shearwaters and skuas appear inshore, sometimes in huge numbers.

	Baltimore Sea Safari		Tel: 087 240 9761
	We offer close-up coastal sightseeing boat tours around the islands, with whale, dolphin, seal and wildlife watching. Full commentary is provided on our trips.
	info@baltimoreseasafari.ie		www.baltimoreseasafari.ie
	Liscannor Star		Tel: 086 854 7912
	Trips combine whale and dolphin watching and a cruise around some of Carbery's Isles with a 45-minute stopover on Sherkin or Cape Clear. Duration 2½ hours.
	Whale Watch West Cork		Tel: 086 120 0027
	Whale and Dolphin watching along the spectacular coast of southwest Ireland and around the islands with the marine zoologist and writer Nic Slocum
	nic@whalewatchwestcork.com		www.whalewatchwestcork.com
	The Wildlife Film School		Tel: 086 153 1663
	Boat-based digital wildlife photography and filming tours with experienced tutor. Seals, whales, dolphins, porpoises, seabirds including seascapes and island landscapes.
	learn@thewildlifefilmschool.com		www.thewildlifefilmschool.com
	Aquaventures		Tel: 028 20511	Special offer!
	Offshore 125 hardboat with divers’ lift or rhib for diving, snorkelling, whale-watching & angling. Shop and rental with nitrox/air and IDEST service station.
	info@aquaventures.ie		www.aquaventures.ie
	Rooster		Tel: 086 824 0642	Special offer!
	Fast Offshore 105 licensed charter boat. Deep sea angling, shark fishing and wreck fishing. Also pelagic birdwatching, diving charters, whale and wildlife watching.
	nick@wreckfish.com		www.wreckfish.com