31 Dec. 2008: Looking through the photos again I realised that the dolphin was actually bow riding a Humpback Whale, rather than a fin whale as originally posted… post corrected accordingly.
West Cork is a truly amazing place for getting up close and personal with some of the largest and most spectacular creatures on the planet. Every winter large baleen whales congregate off the South West coast – with a lot of activity focussed off the headlands of West Cork.
On Friday I was lucky enough to head out on a Whale Watching Trip with Colin Barnes out of Union Hall. We saw a total of five cetacean species on the trip: Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus), Minke Whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena and more than a hundred Common Dolphins (Delphinus delphis).
A Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) surfaces not far from the boat
A common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) appears, riding the bow-wave created by the large whale
… and behaves exactly as it would when bow-riding a boat, demonstrating, perhaps, the origins of this curious habit.
We had an amazing trip – the second best I’ve ever been on (my best whale watching trip ever was one four years ago, also with Colin Barnes off the West Cork coast). We saw literally dozens of fin whales blowing all around us, about half a dozen minke whales, four humpbacks, the occasional porpoise and a hundred or more common dolphins. One of the highlights was seeing three different species of whale swimming together – two fin whales, a humpback, and two minke whales in one place. Amazing!
A humpback whale and fin whale surface together just off Galley Head, West Cork
This is the best time of the year to see large baleen whales off the Irish coast… November, December and January are when you get peak whale activity. So if you want one of the most spectacular wildlife experiences on the planet, get in touch with Colin (who incidentally also does gift vouchers, if you’re looking for an unusual Christmas present).
Ireland really is a hotbed of cetacean activity at this time of year – but enough of my wittering, here are some more photos. Judge for yourself:
A selection of photos from an amazing whale watching trip
Like any wildlife watching experience, this sort of activity can’t be guaranteed, but if you’re out on the right day it really is mind blowing. I’ve been whale watching all over the world… and some of the very best of it is right here on my doorstep in West Cork.
That, I think, is AWESOME!
For more information on Whales and Dolphins in Ireland, including species profiles and a comprehensive, searchable sightings database check out the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group website. If you want to head out on a trip, just give Colin Barnes a call. It costs €50 per adult for a four-hour (and sometimes a little longer) trip, with the chance of encountering one of nature’s most awe inspiring spectacles. I think that represents great value….
Fantastic story and photos. My wife was always interested in seeing the whales, although I wonder how well a 19 month old baby would fare on a rocking boat in the cold for so long!
Kids are welcome on the trips, but it might be a bit much for the little one — and for the both of you with a little one in tow. Our children are eight (the twins) and five and we’ve held off on taking them so far. They’d love the whales, but would get cold and bored in between.
In some ways a I guess a baby would be easier, but it’s a long trip and conditions can be unpredictable. Also, when the whales are around you really want to focus all your attention on them… and as a parent you know that you can NEVER give anything all of your attention when the kids are around.
My suggestion: if you can get a baby sitter, make the first trip an Adult Only affair, so you can sus things out properly, then make the call on the little one for the next time (trust me, if you go out and see whales there WILL be a next time
).
Oh… and thanks a million for taking the time to stop by and comment
. Much appreciated.
[...] so want to go whale watching after reading Calvin’s post on it. And so I have. Booked it after reading Calvin’s post and am possibly freezing some bits off [...]
[...] you’re looking for a way to take a break from work and recharge your SOHO Solo batteries, West Cork is one of the best places in the world to see whales and dolphins, and this is the best time of year to go. What are you waiting [...]
This is actually the first time I’ve heard about whale watching off the coast of Ireland, it’s shocking that it’s not a more well known fact that all of these amazing creatures come so close to our shores. Pity the season is already in full swing, wish I had the time to go visit. Maybe next year. Great post.
Wow! We’ve whale-watched in New Zealand but I didn’t realise this amazing array of wildlife was available so close to home. Definitely one for next year. Is it seasonal i.e. is there a particularly good time of the year to go spotting?
Hi Sinéad and Michael,
It is pretty amazing, when you catch it right — although I have to stress there are no guarantees. I’ve been out on trips where all we’ve seen are a few dolphins, the ubiquitous seabirds and the occasional seal. Still great trips, but nothing on the ones where you encounter the whales.
The best time of year is from around mid-October/November to the end of January — check out the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group’s site for details of recent sightings reported from all around the Irish coast.
If you want more details about trips get in touch with Colin via the mobile number on his website.
Hope you get out to see them… it’s an incredible experience.
Fantastic, we’ll definitely do that.
Thanks!
[...] such a huge creature up close… but nothing on seeing them alive in their element on one of the Whale Watching trips off West Cork. Technorati Tags: whale,fin whale,stranding,west cork,Ireland,wildlife,IWDG,environment Like [...]
[...] was unbelievably big. Fin whales are regular visitors to the waters off West Cork, and I’ve seen them from boats a number of times, sometimes cruising very close alongside, [...]
Calvin,
Fantastic photos! I have had similar experiences off Gloucester, Massachusetts, where I spent my youth. I respect and admire all who work tirelessly on behalf of whales and dolphins. I submit that public interest and concern for these magnificent beings can be heightened by blending fact with fiction, thereby taking us beneath the waves into a world of magic and mayhem where we could not otherwise venture. Please visit my website http://www.rarclouston.com or read my blog http://whaleanddolphintalk.blogspot.com/