The tour is informal and casual with experienced skipper and crew and wildlife guide. Sea kayaking, barnacle hunting and whale watching will keep you and the kids busy. You dont need to go to far flung locations to spot some whales, not when the coast of ireland is a bit of whale playground. The winter schedule runs from 01 november to 31 march. Kilbrittain whale kilbrittain, ireland atlas obscura. 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. The irish government declared the coastal waters of ireland a whale and dolphin sanctuary in the 1990s. The first whale watch trips in europe were boat tours in 1980 to see.
A whale of a time for all the family off the coast of. Find your next adventure start your ireland adventure here. We fly to some of the best whale watching hotspots in the world across europe, africa, asia and america, where youll find humpback whales, orcas and even huge blue whales. Dolphin holidays whale watching in ireland irish whale. We offer whale watching and dolphin watching on our tours to the best places for this thrilling wildlife activity.
The best place in ireland to watch whales, dolphins. A whale of a time in west cork posted on january 30, 2008 by nt while the greenpeace ship, esperanza, and australian surveillance ships track the japanese whaling fleet in the southern ocean in an effort to stop them killing minke whales and fin whales, they plan to kill 900 minke whales and 50 fin whales by mid april, the whales and. The western coast is so impressive that its entire 1,500mile length has been designated a tourist driving route. Wildlife and birding holidays and short breaks irelands wildlife. Two blue whales cruise the waters 80100 nautical miles off irelands south coast. Some of the best whale watching in the world is right at our doorstep and most of us have yet to take advantage of it. Marvel over the startling coastal scenery as you drive along irelands wild atlantic way, then hop aboard for a memorable cruise around the bay.
The summer schedule runs from 1 april to 30 october inclusive. Travel holidays in ireland articles list whale watching off the coast of ireland. Irelands wild south coast scored a double whammy in the marine megafauna stakes over the last week, with records of the first basking sharks and humpback whales of the 2018 season off the coasts of kerry and west cork respectively. We know that there are plenty of places in the world where you can watch all kinds of whales in their natural habitat, but we search high and low for the destinations that offer just that little bit more. Contact blasket islands eco marine and whale watching tours ireland. Enews contact us free catalog request toll free usa 1 800 715 1746 canada 1 888 216 3401 1 800 715 1746 canada 1 888 216 3401. It will be the highlight of your irish and west cork holiday experience. For full driving directions from tralee and killarney please download our printable pdf. The huge mammals nicknamed john coe, floppy fin and nicola are believed. Whale watching trips ireland whale watching day trips.
You are permitted to print and download extracts from this site provided they are not edited in any way, used only for noncommercial purposes and credited to nic. Enjoy hiking along handpicked paths to stunning vistas, waterfalls or natural delights. Haughey declared irish territorial waters a whale and dolphin sanctuary. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to see dolphins or whales during your trip to sea. Irish killer whales feared to be in danger of dying out. Killer whale known as john coe spotted off kerry coast. After a huge whale beached itself on the beach in kilbrittain, ireland, a village facing courtmascherry bay, the locals turned it into a skeletal landmark when they werent able to save its life. Please consult government travel advisories before booking. Whale watching trips ireland whale watching day trips ireland. They come in many different shapes and sizes, and no matter which species you see or where you see them, they always illicit the same profound impact on the people that seem them. Irelands wild atlantic way, and in particular the rugged coastline of west cork, allows visitors the chance to experience the thrill of seeing local wildlife in a truly fabulous setting.
Seabirds and whales an irish adventure 2020 yorkshire coast. 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 ian belcher sat. Holiday ideas, news, offers sign up for our ezine and well keep you in touch with ireland. Frequently asked questions about whale watching in west. All are welcomed to enjoy one weekend of watching marine wildlife. 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 ian belcher sat 8 oct 2005 09. Restrictions whale and dolphin weekend break in west cork experience has no restrictions. Whale watching off the coast of ireland mummypages. 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. The best place in ireland to watch whales, dolphins, puffins and basking shark west kerry blasket islands eco marine tours from ventry harbour log of whale watching tour boat m. Whale watch west cork who operate from baltimore harbour, is one of the best in the business and is west corks only dedicated responsible whale watching operator.
A pod of killer whales who regularly swim in irish waters are feared to be in danger of dying out due to pollution. We specialise in organising whale and dolphin holidays, taking small parties of dedicated whale and dolphin watchers to different parts of the world to experience first hand the special behaviour of whales and dolphins in their natural habitats. Whale watching holidays, much like northern lights holidays, have become something of a bucket list item for many of us. However, if we are exposing ireland as a whalewatching hotspot, it will need careful management. 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. Click the button below and complete the bookingenquiry form for your. The tour is informal and casual with experienced skipper and crew and wildlife guide on board. 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 magic of the arctic winter is not just confined to the skies, this winter join us in tromso for a winter adventure holiday that combines whale watching and the northern lights. Best place in ireland to go on holidays west kerry, ireland s. Iceland holidays, city breaks, sports packages, all inclusive holidays, family deals and. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
A tour itinerary can be downloaded at the link to the left. Whale watching in west cork, ireland with colin barnes. Four porcupines in the north east atlantic and a dolphins barn in dublin. Here at off the map travel, we are constantly looking for new and exciting locations for whale watching holidays. 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. May 04, 2015 a pod of killer whales who regularly swim in irish waters are feared to be in danger of dying out due to pollution. Visit ireland eire, take a whale watching vacation to ireland eire, and enjoy a whale watching trip in ireland eire. The best whale watching in ireland discovering cork.
Great lighthouses of ireland inishtearaght lighthouse 150 yrs 18702020. From clonakilty, leap or glandore direction, go into union hall village and drive through the main street until you reach a large church, st. However, if we are exposing ireland as a whale watching hotspot, it will need careful management. Whales are widely classed as predators, but their food ranges from microscopic plankton to very large fish. So come and join us on board our fully insured and licensed owner operated boat radiance and see these wonderful creatures in their natural habitat. 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. 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. A trip with wilderness ireland guarantees an adventure that is a truly unique irish experience. Whale watching holiday to ireland whales worldwide.
The territorial waters of the republic of ireland have been designated a whale and dolphin sanctuary since 1991. Irish killer whales feared to be in danger of dying out due. 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. Sep, 2012 two blue whales cruise the waters 80100 nautical miles off irelands south coast. The whales and dolphins of southwest ireland tour destination. Whale watching northern ireland message board tripadvisor. According to the irish whale and dolphin group, which coordinates sightings of whales, dolphins and basking sharks around the irish coast, the. Whale watch west cork baltimore baltimore, ireland tripadvisor. Whale watching on irelands newest coastal route bbc. Whale watching in ireland is a growing tourism activity. Official holidays official holidays and nonworking days holidays and some observances all holidaysobservances custom choose holidays. 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. Enjoy wonderful wildlife and scenery in a beautiful part of ireland.
The autumn months off west cork are some of the best for whale watching with minke whales and common dolphins being regular sightings. With options to hike, bike or drive around ireland, explore the emerald isles vast diversity of landscapes along the wild atlantic way, causeway coast, ancient east and hidden heartlands with one of our expert local guides. August, teens, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, wildlife attraction style. Restrictions whale and dolphin watching weekend has no restrictions. See orcas killer whales, humpback, fin, beluga, sperm and minke whales, and many more and if you are really. Northern lights and whale watching around tromso senja, near tromso. To limit the spread of the coronavirus, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Some of the best whalewatching in the world is right at our doorstep and most of us have yet to take advantage of it. Killer whale known as john coe spotted off kerry coast whale has appeared 12 times off the irish coast and was first spotted 33 years ago thu, jun 30, 2016, 10.
Whether you head up to the north, to the west or down south, you are sure to spot one of these fabulous mammals. Our overseas arm, whales worldwide, runs exclusive wildlife holidays to unique destinations including baja, maui, patagonia and sri lanka to watch whales. With 24 species recorded in irish waters, and regular encounters with minke whales, fin whales and the charismatic humpback whale both from shore and on whale watching trips off irelands south coast, its little wonder that more and more people are discovering the delights of whale watching in ireland. It is a traditional celtic festival and a time to campaign for workers rights. Such developments seemed some way off as the ferry chuged away from cape clears north harbour and another group of grinning whale watchers returned to the mainland, full. Since that time according to the irish whale and dolphin group, 25 species. 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. Whale watching off the coast of ireland you dont need to go to far flung locations to spot some whales, not when the coast of ireland is a bit of whale playground. The best place in ireland to watch whales, dolphins, basking.
Baltimore west cork is a hot spot for several species of whales,dolphins,porpoise seals and shark. From humpback whales in south africa to orca and dolphins in the azores. This shows the potential we have in ireland for a whalewatching industry. That comes as no surprise to us as whales are one of the worlds most majestic creatures. This shows the potential we have in ireland for a whale watching industry. Blasket princess captain whales galore best whale watching skipper in ireland the best time in ireland to watch whales, dolphins, puffins and basking shark april to september. Whales in irish waters whale watching tours ireland dolphin. Whale watching in west cork, ireland with colin barnes cork. Appropriately named the wild atlantic way, it stretches from the windwhipped tip of malin head in the north to the safe haven of kinsale harbour in the south, and takes in myriad soaring cliffs, lonely islands, hidden beaches and sprawling golf courses along the way. Glide past slea head, the westernmost point of europe, then cruise out to the blasket islands and look out for humpbacks whales, dolphins, seals. Ireland all inclusive holidays ireland whether you mean the republic of ireland or northern ireland is a familiar destination for many british holidaymakers, and the capital cities of belfast and dublin alone are both excellent options for allinclusive holidays in ireland. Humpback whale lobtailing off irelands wild south coast. These oftenspotted species range in size from the small harbour porpoise to the planets second largest animal, the glorious giant fin whale. The best whale watching in europe cetacean habitat.
Bridgets on your left as you head away from village. 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. If you find yourself on the west coast of ireland for a weekend, make sure to go whale watching. That is why ireland holidays are very different from english, although the influence of albion is still felt. From whalewatching to bellringing, theres something for everyone. A whale of a time in west cork ireland vacations with. The tour includes two boat tripspelagics and a three night stay on the iconic and beautiful cape clear island. All tours depart from baltimore, harbour, west cork on board voyager daily between april and november sea conditions permitting. 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. Back in 1991, irelands biologically diverse waters were declared a whale and dolphin sanctuary, the first of its kind in europe. Whale watching in ireland irish whale watching west kerry. We specialise in tailor made holidays and our itineraries can be personalised to your wishes, if youd like to incorporate this trip into a longer adventure in scandinavia or combine it with a city break then just let us know. The best places to see whales are the cold wilderness areas of. Only three months after the irish whale and dolphin group proposal, an taoiseach, charles.
The whale watching season in southwest ireland is long with a number of different species being seen from april through to december. If you do not see any whales or dolphins, we will be unable to rebook you in. Luxury whale watching holidays by off the map travel. Whale watching is one of those activities use the calendar to check trip availability.
To be honest northern ireland is not really renowned for whale watching. The content of this website represents the views of the authors only and is their sole responsibility. 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. 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. We diligently research and continuously update our holiday dates and information. All our whale watching trips depart from reen pier which is 4 kilometres outside of union hall village, west cork. Whale watching on irelands newest coastal route irelands southwest coast is one of the easiest places on earth to see whales, porpoises and dolphins in the wild and no one knows it yet. The humpback whales of maui and molakai tour destination. Whether you head up to the north, to the west or down south, you. Whales world wide is the overseas whale and dolphin watching arm of whale watch west cork. Ireland is one of the best whale watching destinations in europe.
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