We recommend whole-heartedly, and unreservedly, Whale Watch West Cork as one of our local suppliers. Their exacting code of conduct for care of the precious maritime environment, their knowledge and expertise, and, equally, their determination to provide holiday-makers with memories to cherish dictate they are a natural choice for us, and for you.

Owned and operated by Union Hall residents, Nic and Wendy Slocum, Whale Watch West Cork has been delighting visitors to the area for seven years. The Slocum family migrated to West Cork from London in search of ‘’a better quality of life’’; that odyssey led Nic back, via his love of the sea, to his original calling as a zoologist. After deciding to go full-time into his new maritime venture, Nic commissioned ‘’Voyager’’ a 33 ft catamaran capable of carrying 12 passengers in comfort and safety. When it arrived (in May 2005) the Slocum family dedicated themselves to nurturing what now ranks as one of West Cork’s most interesting, diverting, and informative holiday and maritime activities.
With three children of their own (Joshua, 14 and twins, Charlotte and Toby, 12) the Slocums understand the expectations and indeed the safety concerns of families: ‘’I can’t promise definitively that we will see whales or dolphins. However, I’d like to think that I can put together a tour that satisfies all of a family’s needs and requirements. I’d also like to think, that having escaped from a stressful city-job, I know what people require in order to be able to unwind…’’  

According to Nic, regular (seasonal) sightings include minke whale, pilot whale, fin whale (second in size only to the blue whale), humpback whale and killer whale. Most numerous in the astonishingly clear blue waters of the area, he says, are the bottlenose and Rissos dolphin (whose tall fin sometimes leads to confusion with the killer whale) and, of course, the common porpoise. Common dolphin and the larger bottlenose dolphin are attracted by the ‘’Voyager’’ and often give spectacular leaping displays alongside the craft, much to the delight of children and accompanying adults’.

Though whale watching tends to be best in fine weather, it is by no means exclusively a summer activity, says Nic. For example, an excellent time to observe fin whales is in winter when they come inshore after sprats, sometimes in their considerable numbers.
He stresses that children are extremely welcome (under parental supervision, of course) and that ‘’Voyager’’ sets exacting standards for on-board safety.
Nic will, on request, stop over at North Harbour on Cape Clear, where guests can enjoy a cup of tea in Niall O’ Reagan’s lovely laid-back café, or where children can hop aboard Paddy Leonard’s tractor-trailer , which greets visitors at the harbour, for a whistle-stop tour of the beautiful beguiling island.
Whale Watch West Cork are happy to arrange full and half day excursions. Contact them directly on …., or through reception at The West Cork Hotel

Video from Whale Watch West Cork:

-- Things to do in West Cork --