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Whale and Dolphin Watching
Why not do some Whale Watching while you are Other species that may be seen off West Cork are:
in West Cork? This part of Ireland has become a
high point for whale and dolphin watching enthusiasts March to May - Risso’s Dolphins
the world over. Ireland’s government declared the March to November - Minke Whales
coastal waters of Ireland a whale and dolphin sanctuary April to July - Basking Sharks
during the early 1990’s. The first of its kind in Europe, July to August - Atlantic Sunfish
this paved the way for whale watching in Ireland to August to December - Common Dolphins
become a prime activity for the many visitors to this September to December - Fin Whales
country. Coastal waters off the southwest of Ireland November to January - Humpback Whales
are a summer feeding ground for a number of whale Other species of dolphins like the Atlantic white sided,
species and a year round home for several resident the white beaked, the long finned pilot whale and the
dolphin species including the Harbour Porpoise. Baleen killer whale are seen less frequently.
Whales commonly seen off the south coast include Fin
Whales and Minke Whales. This makes whale watching Whale Watching in West Cork Ireland
in Ireland some of the best whale watching in Europe. Although sightings of these large Baleen Whales is the
Humpback whales are also seen off the southwest coast. highpoint of any whale watching in West Cork we must
These large marine mammals feed in Irish waters for over not loose sight of the fact that West Cork plays host to
seven months of the year on a variety of small shoaling resident populations of Common Dolphins and Harbour
fish and may be seen just a few kilometers offshore. Porpoises which may be present in considerable numbers
To date 24 species of the world’s whales and dolphins as they move inshore during the summer months. In
have been recorded in Irish waters. In recent years over 12 addition, there are frequent sightings of other dolphin
cetacean species have been seen in the clear, unpolluted species at different times throughout the year including
West Cork waters making them one of the richest areas Bottlenose Dolphins and Risso’s Dolphins.
for whale and dolphin watching in Ireland. Irish whale
watching has definitely taken off in West Cork with wide There are some opportunistic sightings of Killer Whales
species diversity present for over half the year. Minke (Orca), Long- finned Pilot Whales,
Whales arrive off our coast starting in March. Fin Whales White Beaked Dolphins and
traditionally arrive in the late summer/early autumn. Atlantic White Sided
Both species continue through to the early winter months, Dolphins. Other
marine mammals
providing some spectacular opportunities to view in Ireland that are
these large marine mammals only a few kilometers regularly sighted on
from the coast if the sea conditions are suitable. our wildlife boat tours
The less predictable Humpback Whales include Seals. Seals in
traditionally arrive during Ireland comprise the two
autumn months.
species, the Atlantic Grey Seal
and the Common Seal.
The Irish Whale and
Dolphin Group:
www.iwdg.ie,
www.whalewatchwestcork.com,
www.marinetours.ie
46
Why not do some Whale Watching while you are Other species that may be seen off West Cork are:
in West Cork? This part of Ireland has become a
high point for whale and dolphin watching enthusiasts March to May - Risso’s Dolphins
the world over. Ireland’s government declared the March to November - Minke Whales
coastal waters of Ireland a whale and dolphin sanctuary April to July - Basking Sharks
during the early 1990’s. The first of its kind in Europe, July to August - Atlantic Sunfish
this paved the way for whale watching in Ireland to August to December - Common Dolphins
become a prime activity for the many visitors to this September to December - Fin Whales
country. Coastal waters off the southwest of Ireland November to January - Humpback Whales
are a summer feeding ground for a number of whale Other species of dolphins like the Atlantic white sided,
species and a year round home for several resident the white beaked, the long finned pilot whale and the
dolphin species including the Harbour Porpoise. Baleen killer whale are seen less frequently.
Whales commonly seen off the south coast include Fin
Whales and Minke Whales. This makes whale watching Whale Watching in West Cork Ireland
in Ireland some of the best whale watching in Europe. Although sightings of these large Baleen Whales is the
Humpback whales are also seen off the southwest coast. highpoint of any whale watching in West Cork we must
These large marine mammals feed in Irish waters for over not loose sight of the fact that West Cork plays host to
seven months of the year on a variety of small shoaling resident populations of Common Dolphins and Harbour
fish and may be seen just a few kilometers offshore. Porpoises which may be present in considerable numbers
To date 24 species of the world’s whales and dolphins as they move inshore during the summer months. In
have been recorded in Irish waters. In recent years over 12 addition, there are frequent sightings of other dolphin
cetacean species have been seen in the clear, unpolluted species at different times throughout the year including
West Cork waters making them one of the richest areas Bottlenose Dolphins and Risso’s Dolphins.
for whale and dolphin watching in Ireland. Irish whale
watching has definitely taken off in West Cork with wide There are some opportunistic sightings of Killer Whales
species diversity present for over half the year. Minke (Orca), Long- finned Pilot Whales,
Whales arrive off our coast starting in March. Fin Whales White Beaked Dolphins and
traditionally arrive in the late summer/early autumn. Atlantic White Sided
Both species continue through to the early winter months, Dolphins. Other
marine mammals
providing some spectacular opportunities to view in Ireland that are
these large marine mammals only a few kilometers regularly sighted on
from the coast if the sea conditions are suitable. our wildlife boat tours
The less predictable Humpback Whales include Seals. Seals in
traditionally arrive during Ireland comprise the two
autumn months.
species, the Atlantic Grey Seal
and the Common Seal.
The Irish Whale and
Dolphin Group:
www.iwdg.ie,
www.whalewatchwestcork.com,
www.marinetours.ie
46
