Seeing a whale or dolphin up close in the wild is one of life’s truly amazing experiences. Ireland’s waters are rich with marine life, with regular visits from a variety of whale species, dolphins and porpoises. See the action up close with these whale and dolphin watching trips in Ireland, guaranteed to wow the kids!
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Heading out on a sea adventure is exciting, but there’s nothing worse than feeling seasick or cold while out on a boat. Dress in layers with appropriate outerwear, and if seasickness is even a remote possibility, bring some plastic bags or consider motion sickness bands for the family.
Remember that with all these whale and dolphin watching tours, sightings are never guaranteed — but you’ll be heading out with experienced skippers who know these waters well.
Where Can You Go Whale Watching in Ireland?
Whale Watch West Cork
During the autumn months, Whale Watch West Cork runs whale watching day trips that also take in seals and other marine wildlife along the West Cork coastline.
With a spacious wheelhouse, seating both inside and out, and a flushing toilet aboard The Voyager, it’s a comfortable boat trip. Their whale watching day trips head past the Old Head of Kinsale or west beyond Cape Clear to the Fastnet Rock in search of the big rorquals and their smaller cousins, the common dolphin.
Baltimore Sea Safari
Sea Safari boat trips depart Baltimore twice daily, touring the coastline in search of whales, dolphins, porpoise, seals, basking sharks and any other marine wildlife in the area. The boats offer great viewing platforms for whale and dolphin watching on the Wild Atlantic Way.
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Cork Whale Watch
Enjoy whale watching and marine wildlife tours in West Cork with Cork Whale Watch aboard the Holly Jo, with one of Ireland’s most experienced whale watching skippers, Colin.
The Holly Jo offers 360-degree views, all-round hand rail support and low bows that let young children watch wildlife safely and easily. There’s a spacious deck with ample outside seating, plus an enclosed cabin with upholstered seating, a small galley for tea and coffee, and a toilet on board.
Blasket Islands Eco Marine Tours
Blasket Islands Eco Marine Tours specialises in whale, dolphin and bird watching trips on the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. In the spectacularly beautiful Atlantic waters of Dingle Bay, they regularly encounter at least five species of cetaceans. Orcas can occasionally be spotted in passage, while humpback and fin whales tend to show up in the late summer and autumn months.
Their eco tour takes you below the breathtaking cliffs of the Slea Head Drive and the towering Cathedral Rocks of Inis na Bró, where they also regularly come close to the world’s second-largest fish, the giant basking shark.
Inishowen Boating Experience, Donegal
Inishowen Boating Company operates two purpose-built fast charter boats from Bunagee Pier, Culdaff. Twenty-four species of whales and dolphins are known in these Donegal waters. The tours don’t target whales and dolphins specifically, but during navigation you might encounter minke whale, common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise, basking shark and sunfish in Donegal Bay.
Sometimes, in the right conditions, dolphins will play around the boat, and you might also spot harbour seals and grey seals along the way.
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All Island Whale Watch Day
Every August, the All Island Whale Watch Day invites members of the public to join the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) at land-based whale watches around the Irish coast. As well as getting the chance to chat to experts, you might be lucky enough to spot a whale or dolphin yourself.
Dolphin Watching in Ireland
Dingle Dolphin Boat Tours
Dingle Dolphin Boat Tours runs boat trips out of Dingle Pier in County Kerry, where dolphins are regularly spotted in the bay. Boats depart at regular intervals throughout the day (weather permitting), with trips lasting about an hour — plenty of time to scan the water for fins breaking the surface.
Shannon Estuary Dolphins
The Shannon Estuary is home to Ireland’s only resident group of bottlenose dolphins. Many dolphins have been identified using the estuary over the years, and calves are born each year, usually seen travelling with the group.
Here are some of the Shannon cruises that offer dolphin watching:
Dolphinwatch
With decades of experience of dolphin watching at the Mouth of the Shannon, Dolphinwatch has one of the highest encounter rates around, making it one of the best opportunities to see dolphins in Ireland.
Their passenger ship, Draíocht — meaning “Magic” in the Irish language — departs from the Castle Pier in Carrigaholt, Co. Clare, on the Loop Head Peninsula. On the trip you’ll learn about the wildlife, geology and maritime history of this unique part of Ireland.
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Shannon Dolphin Trail, Kilrush
Start at the Shannon Dolphin Information Board in the town’s Market Square. Follow the trail markers and you’ll reach the Shannon Dolphin & Wildlife Centre, where you can listen to bottlenose dolphin sounds, see real whale and dolphin skeletons, and enjoy plenty more “dol-fun” educational activities for children.
Dolphin Discovery, Kilrush, Co. Clare
Cruises with Dolphin Discovery depart from Kilrush Marina aboard the vessel Dolphin Discovery, heading out through the lock gates — the only lock on the lower Shannon — and onto the estuary to observe these lively creatures in their natural habitat.
The trip takes about two hours and has a strong track record of encountering dolphins.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year to see whales and dolphins in Ireland?
Autumn tends to be a strong season for whale watching, with operators in West Cork running dedicated trips at this time, while Dingle Bay often sees humpback and fin whales in late summer and autumn. Dolphins, on the other hand, can be spotted year-round in places like the Shannon Estuary and Dingle Bay.
Are whale watching trips suitable for young children?
Many operators are set up with families in mind — for example, Cork Whale Watch’s boat has low bows and all-round handrails so children can watch safely, and several boats have indoor cabins and toilets for comfort. It’s still worth checking with the operator directly about age guidelines and what suits your children best.
Are sightings guaranteed?
No wildlife trip can guarantee a sighting, but all of these operators are experienced in local waters and know where marine life is most likely to appear, which gives you a good chance of a memorable encounter.
What should we bring on a whale or dolphin watching trip?
Dress in layers with warm, waterproof outerwear, even in summer, as it can be cold and breezy on the water. If anyone in the family is prone to seasickness, bring along suitable remedies or motion sickness bands, plus a camera or binoculars for spotting wildlife.
Related Articles
If you enjoyed this, you might also like:
- Ahoy There! Whale Watching, Cruises and Boat Tours in Ireland
- 16 Stunning Donegal Beaches for Memorable Family Fun
- 10 Fun Things to Do With Kids in Clare
- 20 Fun Things to Do with Kids on the Wild Atlantic Way
Fancy more days out on the water? Browse our full collection of family adventure ideas for inspiration on your next trip.
Have your say! Have you been on any of these whale or dolphin watching trips in Ireland? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
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