Marvel over the startling coastal scenery as you drive along irelands wild atlantic way, then hop aboard for a memorable cruise around the bay. 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. The creature came in to the harbour in baltimore on a low tide and initially moved 300 to 400 metres offshore before coming back to. Corky ii received her name after the parks original corky died in december 1970. The best whale watching in ireland discovering cork. Padraig whooleycork whale watch irelands whalewatching season has now extended from a one to a threeseason activity, irish whale and dolphin group sightings coordinator. The whale and dolphin watching weekend in cork makes a unique gift idea for anyone who wants to experience something unforgettable.
This group dominated the field events, particularly throwing events, at the amateur athletic union national championships and at the olympic games between 1896 and 1924. A pod of killer whales who regularly swim in irish waters are feared to be in danger of dying out due to pollution. The waters off west cork, in turn hold some of the highest relative abundances of many species of dolphins, whales, and sharks and can rival anywhere in the world for whale watching and angling. 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. Our trips are a minimum of 4 hours duration, often longer. All tours depart from baltimore, harbour, west cork on board voyager daily between april and november sea conditions permitting. How to watch whales and dolphins irelands wildlife.
Please phone the location on the morning of the experience to check the conditions. Featuring the magnificent and world famous white home, the us capitol, pentagon, washington monument and many extra legislature sites, the city gives probably the most fantastic experience of exploring the political, cultural and conventional aspect of the. The irish whales or the whales was a nickname given to a group of irish, irishamerican and irishcanadian athletes who dominated weightthrowing events in the first two decades of the 20th century. Gardai said the whales made their way up the river lee and are in the south channel area. Dursey island, cape clear island, sheeps head, baltimore beacon, seven heads, old head of kinsale, toe head and galley head are the best whale watching spots in west cork. A 12 metre fin whale is stuck against a pier wall in west cork. 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. 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. We offer a 3 4 hour whale watching trip from the harbour of courtmacsherry, west cork. 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. Jun 01, 2016 whale watch west cork, baltimore, ireland. The boats offering 4hour tours leave baltimore harbour at 9. The mammals, from a 30foot male to a young 15foot female, were first.
Whale watching and marine wildlife tours in west cork aboard the holly jo with irelands most experienced whale watching skipper, colin barnes. Following the enormous success and popularity of our whale watching vouchers whale watch west cork is introducing our brand new season ticket initiative for the 2009 season. Whale watching in west cork, ireland with colin barnes. But in spite of his blows it quickly arose, and floated serenely before his nose. Since then it is one of the must dos when visiting the southwest of ireland. Whale watching tours here are conducted under the code to avoid harm to marine creatures. Whale watching in west cork with colin barnes whale. When we leave courtmacsherry harbour which is a designated sac for birds habitat, we venture either west to the seven heads or east to hole open bay onto the old head of kinsale depending on where our latest sightings have been. Ireland baltimore west cork whale and dolphin boat trip. The national guidelines stipulate that passenger vessels offering whale and dolphin watching tours should. The irish government declared the coastal waters of ireland a whale and dolphin sanctuary during the early 1990s. 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 watch west cork baltimore updated may 2020 top tips.
Cork whale watch reen pier, 5 minutes from, unionhall ireland mit 4. We provide dedicated whale watching trips out of reen pier, near union hall, west cork, subject to weather conditions and demand novembermarch. Exceptional numbers of whales feeding off cork coast. 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. At any time of year we may have occasional sightings of bottlenose and rissos dolphins. Dolphin and whale watching in west cork is an experience that is weather dependant. Click the button below and complete the bookingenquiry form for your. The irish whale and dolphin group are holding a whalewatching event on sunday, august 24th to celebrate national whale watch day. Whale watching schedule and booking with cork whale watch. Colin barnes has been observing whales and dolphins along the cork coast in a maritime career spanning over 40 years.
Your whale and dolphin watching experience in west cork will last 4 hours. Whale watching in ireland irish whale watching west cork ireland. The content of this website represents the views of the authors only and is their sole responsibility. Killer whales attract huge attention in cork harbour. Whale watching in ireland is a growing tourism activity. Enjoy one weekend in cork and learn more about the amazing mammals. Whale watch with colin barnes get a new experience of adventure. Jun 16, 2001 hundreds of people have lined union quay in corks city centre to see three killer whales. Humpback whale breaching off the west cork coast, may 2016 ireland one of europes whalewatching hotspots shortbeaked common dolphin. Aug 23, 2016 humpback whale breaching off the west cork coast, may 2016 ireland one of europes whalewatching hotspots shortbeaked common dolphin. Whale watch west cork baltimore updated may 2020 top. There will be 20 landbased, guided whale watches open to the. How to contact whale watch west cork to book a boat tour in ireland.
Whale watch with colin barnes get a new experience of. Our coastal waters are a summer feeding ground for a number of whale species and a year round home for. Whale watching holiday to ireland whales worldwide. Cork whale watch whales, dolphins and marine wildlife. The irish whale and dolphin group are holding a whale watching event on sunday, august 24th to celebrate national whale watch day. Whale watching in ireland irish whale watching west cork. The whale watching season in southwest ireland is long with a number of different species being seen from april through to december. Cork whale watch activities activities republic of. 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. Your whale and dolphin watching experience in west cork will last 4. Corky ii is a female captive orca or killer whale from the a5 pod in british columbia, canada. The first humpback whale of the season was also spotted from reen pier. Humpback whales get friendly with paddleboarders in cork.
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. Whale watching is one of those activities use the calendar to check trip availability. A group of humpback whales have been spotted feeding and socialising in waters off the coast of west cork. A short drive or a cheap flight will get you to county cork, and our purpose built whale watching vessel, the holly jo provides the ideal platform for that onceinalifetime experience. Jun 11, 2001 three orca killer whales are continuing to attract huge attention in cork harbour. Whale watch west cork season tickets are personalised and make ideal christmas or birthday presents for children and adults alike or simply a valued present for that. Multiaward winning whale watch west cork runs responsible whale and dolphin watching tours led by. The huge mammals nicknamed john coe, floppy fin and nicola are believed. She has been in captivity longer than any other killer whale.
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. Sep 15, 2017 whale watching with nic and west whale and dolphin tours. Should you love touring, youll quickly reach a degree where you get uninterested in the usual journey destinations and tourist traps. The iwdg is marking a decade of irelands whale and dolphin sanctuary with a call for the government to implement the eu habitats directive out to the 200mile limit. May 03, 2011 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. Cork whale watch is irelands longest established whale watch operator and has been enthralling whale watchers and wildlife enthusiasts in west cork since 2001. From world class whale and dolphin watching, to the stunning scenery of the wild atlantic way and the amazing cuisine for which west cork has rightly become famous. Kerry is the only other county that really competes with cork on the whale watching front. Aug 15, 2012 a 12 metre fin whale is stuck against a pier wall in west cork. The best place in ireland to watch whales, dolphins. Close encounters with whales and dolphins are up there on most peoples ultimate wildlife bucket list, but it still surprises many when they hear that ireland is one of the best places in europe to see whales and dolphins in the wild.
Join colin barnes on a whale watching trip in west cork cork whale watch is irelands longest established whale watch operator and has been enthralling whale watchers and wildlife enthusiasts in west cork since 2001. Hundreds of people have lined union quay in corks city centre to see three killer whales. West cork, on the irish south coast attracts minke whales, fin whales, and humpback whales to feed in its rich waters every year. Dylan 3 years old quoting a poem about the cork and the whale. You are permitted to print and download extracts from this site provided they are not edited in. The best place in ireland to watch whales, dolphins, basking. Humpback whales feeding massive pods of dolphins off. The territorial waters of the republic of ireland have been designated a whale and dolphin sanctuary since 1991.
The whales and dolphins of southwest ireland tour destination. 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. Irish killer whales feared to be in danger of dying out. Whale watching in west cork, ireland with colin barnes cork.
The first of its kind in europe, this paved the way for whale watching. Whale and dolphin watching in west cork whale watching. Cork whale watching is amazing and defo worth doing, colin our guide was brillant, we left the dock at 10am and arrived back at 2. Experience the very best of west corks marine wildlife with skipper colin barnes, irelands foremost whale watch skipper, aboard the. A humpback whale was seen inchydoney beach, near clonakilty in west cork earlier this week, and even got friendly with a paddle boarder. Easily accessible by road west cork makes a great stop off as part of a driving holiday in ireland or is a good place to base yourself if you are looking for a longer stay. Overseas guests may wish to rent a car from the airport in order to reach west cork easily and quickly. Dolphin and whale watching in west cork golden moments.
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. Three orca killer whales are continuing to attract huge attention in cork harbour. Cork whale watch operate year round and are also available for filming and research charters, as well as pelagic seabird trips. 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. In total, 25 different cetacean species have been recorded in irish waters, with large numbers of cetaceans making seasonal passages off the coastline.
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