pollydill

We are excited to be touring (husband is musician) Ireland in July. I am going along to soak up as much of the Irish culture and countryside as time will allow. I would love to visit the sea life of Ireland as well and we may have several opportunities to take a sea tour. We will be in Portrush, Westport, Lahinch, Waterville and Clonakilty--with our stop in Waterville allowing the most free time.

Knowing that sea life migrates, do you have any suggestions for the best harbor town/tour at this time of year?

Thank you Fodorites in advance for your input in advance!

Tony2phones

June is the usual time to spot Orca on the migration route passing Malin Head the northern point of Donegal July is possible also. a few types of Dolphin, Basking Shark and Seals. http://www.malinhead.ie/MH/Sea_life.html would be a natural progressive from Portrush possibly?

South of Lahinch the Loop Head peninsula has a couple of locations for going to see the Shannon Dolphins. http://www.dolphinwatch.ie/

If you want to see just One Dolphin then Doolin has Dusty and of course The most famous Dolphin in Ireland Fungie draws 1000's of folk to Dingle..

Irish Whale watch are based in West Cork..

It depends how long you are over for as I am a little concerned by the comment Watervile allows most time.. You do have at least 12 days for this jaunt?

pollydill

Thanks Tony--Those are good suggestions.

I have been looking into Irish Whale watch in West Cork as well as the Blasket Islands Eco tour.

I am afraid Malin Head is out of our way as we are traveling to Portrush from Belfast and then back to Dublin for this very fast (working) trip. We will be in Ireland a total of 17 days and 15 towns!

I know this is a ridiculous way to travel through Ireland, but this is what we must do.

Ireland in summer? What's not to love!?



PD

Tony2phones

Blasket Islands are just as far out of the way?

Is it your husband that's working (touring?) information?

15 towns in 17 days is a regular road trip, I reckon 14 days to go round the Island so you have an extra 3 and your missing bits out?

Dorothy01

We went on a whale watching trip with West Cork Whale Watch out of Baltimore on Sunday, May 25, 2014. The cost was 50 Euros per person for a four-hour cruise on a catamaran. We saw at least six Minke whales, gray seals, sea lions, and sea birds. The wildlife that you see is dependent upon the time of year and upon what animals are in the vicinity.

We had a spectacular time and highly recommend going out with Nic Slocum. He has such respect for the wildlife, vast knowledge of the area, and concern for his passengers.

pollydill

Thanks Dorothy. I am following the aforementioned group on twitter/facebook now. I admire their advocacy for the preservation of sea life. There have been some great pictures recently--and with sunshine!

I realize the time of year will dictate who/what we will see so I was hoping to find the optimal area where we will have time to take the tour.

It seems there are not wildlife tours at every port or seaside local? Is that a correct assumption?

I was wondering if a trip to the Skelligs might be a similar experience--with the hope of seeing sea birds/mammals/fish as well as hiking the Great Skellig?

Yes, Tony, it is my husband who is talented musically.
And the Blaskets look to be ~ 1 hr 45 minutes from Waterville (where we will be for 2 days), so I thought it more doable than Malin Head where, sadly, we are only in the north for one day.

Thanks again for your help!
PD

Tony2phones

The Blaskets are round the far end of the Dingle peninsula, Watervile is the far end of Invaragh (Ring of Kerry) 2 hours would be an optimistic drive time... Consider Skelleg Michael from Portmagee, you need good weather a reasonable head for heights and a fairly strong bladder but a much closer option http://www.skelligexperience.com/skellig-michael/

pollydill

Thanks for the link--very informative.

I am not one for heights, but I thought if the phobia became to much, I could just wait at the base of the island?

Tony2phones

To be honest its not bad in decent weather which it has to be reasonable or the boats don't go..