Whale Watching In West Cork
Whale Watching in West Cork...an experience like no other
A Whale and Dolphin Watching trip for many visitors and wildlife enthusiasts is something that is top of the "must do" list during any stay in West Cork. In 1991 the Irish Government declared all Irish territorial waters a Whale and Dolphin sanctuary; the first of its kind in Europe. We hope you'll sample some of our potentially world class whale watching during your stay.
We recommend either of the two options below for a great experience Whale watching in West Cork:
About Cork Whale Watch
Join skipper Colin Barnes of Cork Whale Watch to experience some of the best whale watching in the North Atlantic. Colin is Ireland’s longest established and most experienced whale watch operator and has been enthralling wildlife enthusiasts and visitors to West Cork since he commenced whale watching in 2001.
Trips depart from Reen Pier, 5 minutes outside Union Hall, and just a 15-20 minute drive from the West Cork Hotel. Colin has been observing whales and dolphins off the Cork coast in a maritime career spanning over 45 years. Colin’s passion for the marine environment, combined with his unique ability to find whales are legendary. The Cork Whale Watch team has over 60 years of experience observing and researching whales along the Cork coast, and is the only operator to offer year-round whale watching trips.
Cork Whale Watch is a corporate member of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and actively support whale and dolphin conservation in Ireland by reporting sightings to the Irish Cetacean Sighting Scheme. Colin has co-authored scientific publications on fin and humpback whales along the Irish South coast and is an advocate of sustainable fisheries management. Colin’s whale watching trips have featured on many Natural History programmes such as: RTE’s “Wild Trials”, “Living the Wildlife” and “Wild Journeys”, BBC “Autumnwatch”, “Winterwatch”, the “Great British Year”.
Read more about "Cork Whale Watch" here
About Whale Watch West Cork
Whale Watch West Cork is dedicated to providing our customers with a safe, comfortable and educational whale and dolphin watching experience. We seek
to impart detailed knowledge on the marine mammals and other wildlife we encounter and on the wider issues of marine conservation through informed commentary with special emphasis on the current threats facing these unique animals and their fragile environment. We directly support conservation measures through education and research.
Our trips are always oriented towards education with a strong conservation message and we are the only whale watch operator in West Cork to have a qualified zoologist available and information sheets on every trip. With state-of-the-art hydrophone and camera equipment available on board along with our detailed interactive commentaries we create an informative and educational experience that few other operators are able to recreate. Children who come on board all get a chance to drive the boat and learn as much about the marine environment and the need for conservation as possible. This is in addition to the whales and dolphins and other wildlife we may see.
Read more about "Whale Watch West Cork" here