Kayaking in west cork and sundays at lough hyne from 11am. Venue details baltimore west cork west cork holidays. Responsible tourism award winner whale watch west cork runs responsible whale and dolphin watching tours led by zoologist and conservationist dr nic slocum. In late summer and autumn they are often joined by humpback and fin whales which come inshore to feed. However, in relation to other tourism activities in ireland, this industry is still relatively smallscale. Its primary spot, west cork is a habitat to over 12 cetacean species.
Fully guided by zoologist and conservationist dr nic slocum. Whale watching in west cork with colin barnes whale. Ireland s rocky cliffs provide excellent vantage points for shorebased whale watching, and for the past two decades or more boatbased whale watching have also been offered in ireland. The time to spot them off the south west coast of ireland is. New humpback whale for ireland spotted off west cork. Whale watching west cork west cork whale watching tours. Baltimore is at the centre of whale and dolphin watching in west cork. Whale and dolphin watching in west cork whale watching. A whale of a time for all the family off the coast of west. Enjoy the sights of minke whales, fin whales, dolphins and sharks off the coast of west cork, ireland.
With worldclass whale watching available off the coast of the irish republic, its an experience thats more accessible than you might think. That makes ireland one of the best whale watching destinations in europe. 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. Over 20 species of whales and dolphins live in irish waters. Whooley every spring minke whales, ireland s smallest baleen whales, return to the west cork coast to feed. The sighting, recorded during a cork whale watch trip on april 16, was the first success of the whaletrack ireland project. Nic slocum and whale watch west cork were founder members of the responsible whale watching initiative which was later assimilated into the world cetacean alliance.
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. Baltimore sea safari operate whale and dolphin watching as part of our 2. Whale watching holiday to ireland whales worldwide. Whale watching in west cork, ireland with colin barnes cork whale watch. Whale watching in cork whale and dolphin watching tours and trips are provided by our experienced boat crews. Micheal cottrel, owner of baltimore sea safari confirmed the humpback sighting, and photographs obtained by irish whale and dolphin group iwdg members simon duggan and youen yacob allowed the iwdg to confirm the young animal as a brand new addition to the irish humpback whale. Whale watch west cork as with any wildlife watching venture, whales and dolphins can be unpredictable.
For details of colin barness whale watching trips in west cork check out the website. Whale watching in west cork, ireland with colin barnes. Nic slocum phd frgs whales worldwide have teamed up with whale watch west cork, ireland s premier whale watch operator, to create an itinerary that will allow you to experience all that. The best time to go whale watching in ireland is spring and summer. The first humpback whale of the season was also spotted from reen pier. Spy hopping humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae in the waters off west cork. Do you want to know the entry ticket price for whale watch west cork. Whale watching and marine wildlife tours in west cork aboard the holly jo with ireland s most experienced whale watching skipper, colin barnes. Get the info on seasonal winter whale watching in ireland from now till december is prime time for whale watching.
Whale watching ireland whale dolphin watching cork. Whale watching in west cork may 3, 2011 by calvin jones 6 comments an account of my first ever encounter with fin and humpback whales off the coast of west cork, ireland in november 2004, this article appeared in the uk magazine the countryman cj. 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. Take a tour with whale watch west cork in baltimore, or cork whale watch, ireland s longest established whale watch operator based on reen pier, near union hall, which operates all year round. For a closer look take an escorted trip on a boat from union hall, baltimore or courtmacsherry.
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. So, without further ado, here are the best places to go whale watching in ireland. Whale watching in ireland irish whale watching west cork. Not all whale watching requires going out on a boat, says padraig whooley, and. The irish government declared the coastal waters of ireland a whale and dolphin sanctuary during the early 1990s. Whale watching in ire land is a growing tourism activity.
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. 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. The best place in ireland to watch whales, dolphins. Observe fin whales, humpback whales, minke whales common dolphins, basking sharks, harbour porpoise, sunfish and other marine wildlife in stunning scenery. Dolphin and whale watching in west cork is an experience that is weather dependant. The whales and dolphins of west cork a feeding minke whale off west cork photo p. Our experienced, professional skippers know the best locations in west cork for whale and dolphin watching. Whale watch west cork baltimore 2020 all you need to. And baltimore in west cork is one of the centres of activity holidays in ireland with its rich variety of maritime activities. Wild west cork is a series of films, produced by chris oconnor, which highlights some of the the regions extraordinary wildlife and offers an insightful and educational experience under the guidance of marine expert and whale watch operator, dr nic slocum. Whales, dolphins and marine wildlife tours in west cork, ireland. Nonprofit organization based in cork, ireland, working for the protection and sustainable management of marine megafauna in irish waters, through research, conservation, technology and education. Whale watching in west cork ireland baltimore sea safari. Under whaletrack ireland the iwdg bought a drone to film large whales in irish waters to assess their length and body condition.
First 3 humpback whales of the 2018 irish whale watch season off dursey island west cork ireland march 25th 2018 year on year for the last five years it just seems that humpback whales are coming to irish waters earlier in the season march, april, may and also exiting irish waters earlier than in previous seasons september, october obviously in response to the availability of food. Winter whale watching in west cork good food ireland. Cork whale watch believes passionately in the power of evidence based scientific research to inform and enhance whale and dolphin conservation in ireland. Galley head is recognised as an ideal land based location to view humpback whales, common and bottlenose dolphins and basking sharks. Whale watching in ireland and whale watching in west cork in particular has now reached a high point for whale and dolphin watching enthusiasts the world over. We provide whale watching and dolphin watching tours in courtmacsherry, west cork, ireland. From april to december it is possible to see minke whales, common dolphins and harbour porpoise. We see minkes regularly from april onwards, through the summer and autumn into december. Whale watch west cork overview whale and dolphin watching aboard voyager and liscannor star along the spectacular coast of southwest ireland and around the islands of roaringwater bay with marine zoologist nic slocum and one of west cork s most experienced wildlife skippers, brendan collins. First humpback whales 3 of the 2018 irish whale watch. Spy hopping humpback whale in west cork ireland may.
A whale of a time in west cork ireland vacations with. Check the irish whale and dolphin group online to learn more about which species can be seen, where and when. The whales and dolphins of southwest ireland tour destination. The territorial waters of the republic of ireland have been designated a whale and dolphin sanctuary since 1991. They were the first company in ireland to create a detailed code of conduct for boat based whale and dolphin watching right down to. A new humpback whale for ireland was spotted just off the coast of west cork yesterday mon 1803. Multiaward winning whale watch west cork runs responsible whale and dolphin watching tours led by. Whale watch west cork baltimore updated april 2020 top. Humpback whales off west cork photo by p whooley, iwdg no doubt youve seen some of the amazing photos and videos of the whales, dolphins and sharks that have been spotted in irish waters in. All tours depart from baltimore, harbour, west cork on board voyager daily between april and november sea conditions permitting.
Whale watch west cork baltimore all you need to know. Responsible whale and dolphin watching tours departing twice each day from baltimore harbour, west cork on board voyager. Whale watch west cork west cork hotel hotels in west cork. The first of its kind in europe, this paved the way for whale watching in ireland to.
In the 90s, the irish government banned any whale fishing activity declaring it a whale sanctuary. Dolphin and whale watching in west cork golden moments. 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. The first of its kind in europe, this paved the way for whale watching. A whale of a time for all the family off the coast of west cork sea kayaking, barnacle hunting and whale watching will keep you and the kids busy sat, may 4, 2019, 06. Dolphins, in particular, may be encountered at any time of year. Groups of friends love to go away together and an increasing trend within the 2540 age group is activity breaks in ireland. Baltimore west cork is a hot spot for several species of whales,dolphins,porpoise seals and shark. Footage from a baltimore sea safari boat trip of fin whales lunge feeding off baltimore, west cork on the wild atlantic way in ireland.