The waters of southwest Ireland are exceptionally rich in marine life and Baltimore 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 ubiquitous and there is often the chance of a basking shark or even a turtle, while sunfish or blue shark may be spotted cruising the surface in fine weather. Late summer is also the best time for seabird watching, when the larger shearwater species, rare petrels and gulls are most likely to be sighted. The island and the waters around Cape Clear have an international reputation among birdwatchers for these birds and other rarities.