The Irish government declared the coastal waters of Ireland a whale and dolphin sanctuary during the early 1990’s. The first of its kind in Europe.
Since then it is one of the ‘must do’s when visiting the south-west of Ireland. Our coastal waters are a summer feeding ground for a number of whale species and a year round home for several resident dolphin species including the Harbour Porpoise. Baleen Whales commonly seen off the south coast include Fin Whales and Minke Whales with intermittent sightings of Humpback, Killer (Orca) and Pilot Whales which makes whale watching in Ireland some of the best whale watching in Europe.
The Irish Whale & Dolphin Group (www.iwdg.ie ) is dedicated to the conservation and better understanding of whales, dolphins and porpoise in Irish waters. Their site isn worth visiting to find out about planned events in the area.
Locations to go whale & dolphin watching include;
www.safari.ie Cork Sea Safari offer Dolphin excursions from Cork City Centre!
www.whalewatchwestcork.com operate from Union Hall in West Cork.
www.whaleofatime.ie operate from Youghal in East Cork.
www.baltimoreseasafari.ie operate from Baltimore in West Cork.
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