whale watching tour orkney

Thoroughly Travel

Where and when to see Orca, Whales, Dolphins (+ other Wildlife) in Orkney

A complete guide to orkney orca, whale and dolphin watching spots, as well as other wildlife you can see in the orkney islands, scotland in 2024..

(Updated 2024)

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission on anything purchased through these links at no extra cost to you. Learn more on our Disclaimer page .

Due to it’s northerly location, nestled where the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Atlantic Ocean meet, the Orkney Islands provide pivotal shelter for lots of migratory (and not-so-migratory) whales and dolphins (known as cetaceans ). If you’ve looked around our website, you’ll have picked up on the fact that we’re huge marine wildlife fans. One of our favourite activities is whale and dolphin watching and Orkney has provided some of the best sightings of whales and dolphins that we’ve had in our lives. In this article we’re going to break down exactly where the best places to see cetaceans in Orkney are, as well as provide a complete list of other wildlife that can be spotted in the Orkney Islands.

Time needed: 7-14 days.

When to go: May-September for peak wildlife sightings and (hopefully) pleasant weather.

Weather: Between 10-18°C (50-64°F) in Summer and 2-8°C (35-46°F) in the Winter. Rain is common in Winter, although it rarely snows, while Summer can be a mix of dry or wet, depending on the year. Luckily, the Orcadian breeze keeps the Scottish midges away.

Language: English and Orcadian Scots.

Currency: British Pound (£).

The quick answer:

The best place to see orca, whales and dolphins in Orkney is from the land. Hoxa Head (South Ronaldsay), Marwick Head and Scapa Flow (West Mainland) are all popular whale watching spots in Orkney’s Mainland, while Catnick Head (Hoy), Noup Head (Westray) and North Hill (Papa Westray) are some of the best places to see orca in the Orkney Islands. Joining a wildlife tour is a great way to maximise your chances of orca and whale sightings. The best time to see orca in Orkney is in the Summer months of May-September , with peak sightings occurring between May to July.

Read on to find out how you can see orca, dolphins, porpoises and whales in Orkney by yourself!

Interactive map of the best places to see cetaceans in Orkney

What kind of whales and dolphins can you see in orkney.

Historically, more than 20 species of cetacean have been spotted around the Orkney Islands. Some species are a lot more common than others, with certain types of whale and dolphin returning to Orkney regularly. Some species of whale come incredibly close to Orkney’s coastline, while others prefer deeper water and are more elusive. Dolphins and porpoises can be seen frequently around the Orkney Islands too.

The main species of whale that are spotted around Orkney include Minke and Long-finned Pilot Whales , with Humpback , Sperm and Fin whales appearing intermittently. Porpoises are commonly sighted all year round, while several species of dolphin can be seen in Orkney too. The main species of dolphin you can see in Orkney include Risso’s , Common , Atlantic White-sided and White-beaked dolphins , with Bottlenose dolphins appearing sometimes. Orca are also seen frequently in Orkney.

Here’s a full list of cetaceans that have been spotted in Orkney throughout the years:

• Minke whale
• Long-finned pilot whale
• Humpback whale
• Sperm whale
• False killer whale
• Beluga whale
• Narwhal whale
• Northern bottlenose whale
• Cuvier’s beaked whale
• Sowerby’s beaked whale
• Orca (Killer Whale)
• Risso’s dolphin
• Common dolphin
• Bottlenose dolphin
• Atlantic white-sided dolphin
• White-beaked dolphin
• Harbour porpoise

We’ve spent two of the most recent summers in Orkney. Using the Facebook Page and Sightings Chat (more info on these below in the Resources section), we’ve been lucky enough to see two pods of orca (with babies), a minke whale , several pods of Risso’s dolphins (also with babies), Atlantic white-sided dolphins , bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises . We’re going to go into more detail about the best places to see whales and orca in Orkney later in this article.

Are there orca in Orkney, Scotland?

Yes, there are orca in Orkney! You may have recently seen BBC’s David Attenborough documentary, Wild Isles , which showcased orca hunting seals off the coast of Shetland . Many people are also surprised to discover that Orkney is one of the best places in the world to spot orca .

There are actually two populations of Scottish orca: a West Coast Community and a Northern Isles Community . Most orca sightings occur in the Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands, while they can sometimes be seen from the North Coast of mainland Scotland too. The area from John O’ Groats to Duncansby Head is a popular Scottish mainland site for orca sightings, but has fewer visiting cetaceans than in the northern islands. Sightings in other parts of Scotland, including the Small Isles, Hebrides and Skye, do occur but are rarer too.

Despite their alternative moniker Killer Whales , orca are actually the largest member of the dolphin family. They grow to an average of 7 metres (21ft) long, although the biggest ever recorded orca was 9.6 metres (30ft) long. The ocean’s apex predator, orca have a ruthless reputation but are actually complex and characterful individuals. No two pods are the same and each pod has its own hunting techniques. Orca go by a few different names. The nickname killer whales is believed to originate from the Basque whalers in the 18th century, while their scientific name, orcinus orca , means whale of the kingdom of the dead . Despite their deathly reputation, orca have never been known to attack humans in the wild. The only incidences have occurred in confinement and are further proof that orca should not be kept in captivity

You need to be extremely lucky to see orca in the wild but, in this article, we’re going to tell you exactly where and how you can see orca in the Orkney Islands , as well as provide all the information you need to successfully go dolphin and whale watching in Orkney.

Orkney orca sightings

A system for visually identifying orca was developed in the 1970s by Dr Michael Bigg and colleagues and is used today by researchers. Using photos, individual orca can be identified and ‘named’, with a unique identification number . Scientists and researchers are then able to track the movement of specific orca and pods, gaining a better understanding of their habits.

Orca are matriarchal. The children stay with their mother, even if they have their own offspring. Strong bonds hold the pod together, even after the death of the matriarch. It’s for this reason that Scotland’s orca are named after the pod’s matriarch . For example, a pod known as the 64s is named after the matriarch, 64.

Some pods regularly return to Scotland, while other individuals are seen sporadically. Pods known as the 64s, 65s and 27s make up part of the Northern Community and are seen more frequently in Orkney, while the 15s have been spotted on and off with the 29s less regularly. The 19s pod have been spotted off Shetland and Orkney, as well as Iceland, while the 64s and 65s have never been spotted in Iceland. The 27s pod have previously been spotted off the Faroe Islands and Iceland and are the pod of orca featured in BBC’s Wild Isles . A full catalogue of Scotland’s orca and information on their pods was published by researchers in 2021 and can be found here .

When can you see whales, dolphins and orca in Orkney?

Although cetaceans can be seen year-round, Summer is whale watching season in Orkney. The best time of year to see orca in Orkney is between the months of May to September . Dolphins and porpoises can be seen more consistently throughout the year but peak whale sightings occur between May-July , which is also the best time to see orca in the Orkney Islands.

Some people wonder what time of day is best to see orca, whales and dolphins, but this can depend on a number of factors, including weather and tide times. There is no official best time to see dolphins and whales in Orkney, as wild animals come and go as they please and are unpredictable. Having said that, we’ve typically found that cetacean activity increases at dawn and dusk. The best time to see orca in Orkney is when the sea is flat and, if the conditions are right, whales and dolphins can be seen at any time of day.

Is it rare to see Orca in Scotland?

Shetland and Orkney are without a doubt the best place in Scotland (and the UK) to see orca. Although possible, you’d have to be very lucky to see orca from other parts of the UK. According to experts, over 90% of orca sightings in the UK happen in the Orkney and Shetland Islands . It’s really the place to be for orca activity in the UK.

Orkney has a rich history that is intertwined with whales. The Orkney Islands have been inhabited for about 8800 years and historically Orcadians would have considered a beached whale a blessing. Whale parts have been used by humans for thousands of years and evidence of whale-related products have been found by archaeologists in Orkney. A bowl carved from the vertebrae of a whale was found in the Neolithic village of Skara Brae and is thought to date back to between 3100 and 2400 BCE. While other 5000 year old whale bone artefacts can been seen on display in the museum onsite .

Over the years, whaling became increasingly popular in the Orkney Islands. As such useful resources, whales were seen as commodities and hunted whenever they appeared. Whaling drives – where whales are surrounded by boats and driven onto the shore or into the shallow water, where they are then killed – were organised by the community and the blubber and oil was shared. The largest drive recorded totalled 450 cetaceans in Westray in 1843. Commercial whaling was banned in 1986 and the last organised whale drive in Orkney took place in July 1891 when 114 pilot whales were killed in two bays, one of which was Inganess Bay, where Kirkwall’s airport now stands. Today, Orcadians help to protect the area’s cetaceans from threats including strandings and work hard on conservation initiatives to protect them.

Modern threats facing Orkney’s cetaceans include conflicts with fisheries, which can lead to vessel strikes, accidental capture in fishing gear, depleted food sources and habitat degradation. Pollution is another huge issue, with waste from fish farms and plastic pollution leading to injury and often death. It’s now believed that half of the world’s population of orca are doomed to extinction due to toxic and persistent pollution of the oceans , with the UK’s population most at risk.

It’s not totally clear how many orca are left in Scotland but it’s clear the UK population is threatened . It’s thought the West Coast population is in decline and a lack of recent sightings has raised fears that just two of eight remain . Distressingly, one of the West Coast pod was found dead due to entanglement in fishing gear in 2016, while another member was washed up with one of the highest levels of ingested PCB (plastic) ever recorded. Spotting orca on Scotland’s west coast is therefore far more rare than spotting orca in the Orkney and Shetland Islands. But the Scottish Northern Isles population of orca is not safe either. In 2021, a member of the famous 27s pod was found dead on Papa Westray , having been entangled in fishing gear. Cetaceans who become entangled are thought to have excruciatingly painful deaths as they slowly drown.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Orca 64 had a new calf in 2019, while a new calf was spotted with the 27s pod at the end of 2022, giving hope for the future of both pods. Many local people are working really hard to help Orkney’s orca and other cetaceans too. The British Divers Marine Life Rescue and Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme can be called to assist with whale strandings in Orkney, with the most recent successful rescue floating a minke whale back out to sea from Waulkmill Bay, near Orphir, in March 2023. Locals also helped save a beached orca in 2021, while a stranded sperm whale in Shapinsay was re-floated back out to sea in a successful rescue attempt in 2019. A code of conduct for boat users is in place and the Orkney Marine Mammal Research Initiative ( OMMRI ) carries out research and sightings events to monitor Orkney’s cetaceans. With more research, awareness and protection, Orkney’s cetaceans can be better understood and conserved for future generations to enjoy sightings of too.

Read next: Let’s Talk About The Plastic Problem: Environmental Impacts of Plastic Pollution

How to see orca , dolphins and whales in Orkney

It is possible to see cetaceans from a boat, either on the ferry or a tour , but the easiest and most common way to whale watch in Orkney is from the land . There are several areas where your chance of a whale or orca sighting in Orkney will be much higher, and there are also a few components that will help you maximise your chances too:

• A good vantage point
• Calm sea conditions
• Patience and luck

We have a saying that we like to use when cetacean spotting:

Everything looks like a whale or dolphin until you see one! – Lucy and Dan

Every wave can look like a dorsal fin and you’ll be constantly tricking yourself into thinking you’ve spotted something, just to lose sight of it two seconds later. In rough weather especially, whales and dolphins can get lost behind high waves, making cetacean spotting much harder. But when you do spot a cetacean it’s often unmistakeable. Going out in calm weather means the sea is flatter and you’ll have a much better chance of spotting something if it is out there. Not to mention, the better the weather, the longer you’re going to want to stay out whale watching in the first place. Higher ground can give you panoramic views to scan the ocean from, which is good news for Orkney orca and whale watchers, as the whole coast is made up of tall, rugged cliff faces. And finally, you have to have patience. You might be lucky and spot a whale or dolphin immediately but sometimes it’s just not meant to be, despite your efforts.

The best places in Orkney to see orca, whales and dolphins

The best place for whale watching in the Orkney Islands is from the land. It is possible to see whales, dolphins and orca from a boat, but there are no dedicated whale watching tours as cetacean spotting is too unpredictable.

Most tourists to Orkney choose to stay on the Mainland . As this is the largest area of land in Orkney, it has the most whale watching spots to choose from. Harbour porpoises are true to their name and can generally be seen in harbour areas and shallower channels , while dolphins can be seen all around Orkney, often being easier to spot in large bays . Whales are migratory and are typically seen off the west coast of Orkney’s Mainland. The east coast of the Mainland has more low-lying sandy areas, which make sightings fewer and far between, although still possible. And the north coast also has less sightings, although the nearby Isle of Shapinsay does have orca sightings irregularly.

The sounds and inshore areas are the best places to see orca in Orkney. Killer whales are often seen in the Switha Sound (the area of water between Switha and South Ronaldsay) and into Scapa Flow (the area of water between Orkney’s Mainland, Burray, Flotta and Hoy). Scapa Flow’s sheltered waters are the reason the area played such a vital role in World War II. Orkney was the main base of the British fleet in WWII and defensive positions were set up with the best outlooks over approaches to the islands. Thousands of years previously, Vikings moored their longships in Scapa Flow.

Those wondering where to see orca in Orkney should find out where to see seals , which are one of the main sources of food for the Northern Community. Orca activity is increased during common seal pup season, which is in Summer (grey seals have pups in Autumn). Orca have been observed hunting seals in the shallower waters around the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Orkney’s northern islands, including Sanday, Westray and Papa Westray, are all good places to see migratory whales and orca too.

Where to see orca, whales and dolphins from the land in Orkney

1) the pentland firth ferry.

The Pentland Firth is a stretch of water between mainland Scotland and the Orkney Islands. Despite its name the Pentland Firth is not a firth, but a strait. Unless you fly, you will have to cross from mainland Scotland to Orkney via ferry. One route runs from Scrabster to Stromness, while the Pentland Ferry crosses from Gills Bay, just west of John O’ Groats , to St Margaret’s Hope on South Ronaldsay. The Pentland ferry is a family-run business and a more eco-friendly way to get to Orkney than flying. From South Ronaldsay Island, you can drive over Burray Island to Orkney Mainland (the largest of the Orkney Islands), via a series of four causeways known as the Churchill Barriers .

Although sightings are never guaranteed, crossing the Pentland Firth by ferry puts you right in the middle of the body of water where cetaceans are often spotted in Orkney. It’s worth heading to the top deck or bagging a window seat , and keeping your eyes peeled for dolphins, porpoises and orca. We’ve heard people have had some incredibly close encounters with orca from the Pentland Firth Ferry, but we’ve only ever seen flashes of porpoises on our crossings. The ferry crossing can sometimes be a bit rough, but if you get a clear day, the Pentland Firth can be one of the best places to see cetaceans in Orkney.

2) Hoxa Head (South Ronaldsay)

Due to its tall cliffs with sweeping ocean views, Orkney’s headlands are one of the best places to whale watch from the land in the UK. Situated on the most easterly point of South Ronaldsay, Hoxa Head is a wide headland that offers panoramic views of the channel between the Pentland Firth and Scapa Flow, over towards the islands of Flotta and Hoy. Hoxa Head is littered with World War II gun batteries and features a 1.7 mile (2.7km) circular coastal trek . Once used by the navy to scout out enemy submarines, the walk now gives you one of the best vantage points for cetacean watching in Orkney.

The walk starts from the (free) car park and is clearly marked. Look out for whales and dolphins in the channel as you walk around the cliff edge. The two batteries here are the Hoxa Battery and Balfour Battery. Entering these building is unadvisable and at your own risk, as they are structurally unsafe. The final part of the path follows an agricultural track, which can be muddy at times, but leads to the highest point of the walk. This is actually the spot where we saw our first ever Orkney orca ! We’ve also seen Risso’s dolphins , Atlantic white-sided dolphins and porpoises from Hoxa Head’s coastal walk. It’s our favourite whale watching spot in Orkney.

3) Brough of Birsay (West Mainland)

The Brough of Birsay is actually a small uninhabited island off the north west coast of Orkney’s Mainland. It is home to a lighthouse and well-preserved ruins of Pictish and Norse settlements . Due to its westerly position, it provides sweeping views of the Norwegian Sea. Migratory whales are often seen in this body of water and sightings of dolphins are also common here. Access to the island is only possible at low tide , when a long causeway is exposed that you can walk across. In the summer months, keep an eye out for puffins, who nest in the cliffs on the island.

Back on the Mainland, the town of Birsay is home to the Birsay Earl’s Palace and the charming Birsay Bay Tearoom . Seals can also commonly be seen in the bay, which reveals a sandy beach at low tide. The large car park is free but fills up quickly in summer.

4) Marwick Head (West Mainland)

3 miles south of Birsay, Marwick Head Nature Reserve is a stretch of coastline protected by the RSPB and one of the best places to see whales in Orkney. Featuring a dramatic cliff-top walk, Marwick Head (meaning ‘ shallow bay ’ in Old Norse) is home to thousands of seabirds , including guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, and sandpipers. Puffins can be seen burrowing in the 90 metre (295ft) tall cliffs between May-July and multiple breeds of bunnies can be seen playing on top of the cliffs. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Old Man of Hoy, while the sweeping views of the ocean provide a great vantage point for whale watching.

The tower you can see here is the Kitchener Memorial , a big stone tower built in 1926 in memory of Lord Kitchener, the WWI Minister for War. He, and 736 men, died onboard HMS Hampshire when his ship hit a mine just a few miles offshore from Marwick Head in 1916. You can easily access the memorial tower from the Kitchener Memorial car park.

There are a few lovely walks in this area. You can walk to the fishermen’s huts at Sand Geo, or follow part of the coastal path that winds along the headland and looks out to sea. Whales are often spotted along the coast here and it’s actually where we had our first successful minke whale sighting. Dolphins can also be spotted here too, sometimes coming super close to the cliffs.

5) Yesnaby Cliffs (West Mainland)

Further south, about half way down the west coast of Orkney Mainland, is a stretch of coast known as Yesnaby Cliffs . During strong westerly gales, this area offers stunning scenes of huge waves crashing against the cliffs. This is another area with a beautiful coastal walk, which features sea stacks, blowholes and geos (inlets). The path leads to the impressive Yesnaby Castle , a two-legged sea stack , while Yesnaby Gun Battery is situated right by the car park. Cetaceans you can see from Yesnaby include dolphins and porpoises, while whales are often spotted here, particularly minke whales.

6) Scapa Flow (South Mainland)

We’ve already mentioned it, but Scapa Flow is without a doubt the best stretch of water to see cetaceans in Orkney. Due to its secluded nature, Scapa Flow provides protection for wildlife like fin, humpback and sperm whales, who have been known to swim far into the bay. Sadly, the sandy bottom of the bay has led to strandings in the past, but most cetaceans’ visits are incident-free.

Scapa Flow has an important history. During the First World War, in response to the build-up of the German Fleet, Britain decided that a northern base was needed to control the entrances to the North Sea and ships were deliberately sunk at the entrances of Scapa Flow. In the years that followed, two attempts to enter the harbour were made by German U-boats but neither was successful. At the end of the war, after the German defeat, 52 ships were scuttled (deliberately sunk) , as an act of sabotage by a commander who refused to let German ships be seized by the British. It was the single greatest loss of warships in history and the nine German sailors killed that day were the last to die during World War I.

The sunken ships now create the perfect habitat for a diverse marine life, making Scapa Flow one of the best diving sites in the world. It’s possible to SCUBA dive and dry suit snorkel around the wrecks of Scapa Flow. Harbour porpoises have also been known to gather in south Scapa Flow in Autumn, while the bay is frequently visited by killer whales. Scapa beach gives great views out into the bay and, if you’re lucky, can be one of the best places to see orca in the Orkney Islands. We saw bottlenose dolphins from Scapa Beach once, and about 75% of our personal cetacean sightings in Orkney have happened in the Scapa Flow area.

7) Stromness (West Mainland)

Located in the south west, Stromness is the second-most populous town in Orkney after Kirkwall. This port town was once regularly visited by whaling fleets and many of the houses here are still decorated with whale bone artefacts. Crossing from Stromness to Hoy or Scrabster via ferry can offer sweeping views of the ocean from which many cetaceans can be spotted. The Ness Battery is located on the southern tip of the headland by Stromness and provides a great vantage point to see whales and dolphins. You can also join a guided history walk here to learn more about the Battery and what life was like for the men who manned the guns during the war.

8) Catnick Head (Hoy)

The second largest island in Orkney, Hoy is a great place to see whales and dolphins. Named from the Old Norse word Háey , meaning ‘ high island ”, the Isle of Hoy features sweeping moorland and huge glacial valleys. The walk from Rackwick Bay to the Old Man of Hoy , a 137 metre (449ft) tall sea stack, is a must-do activity and offers incredible ocean views. While the Dwarfie Stane in the centre of the island is a megalithic chambered tomb and dates back around 5000 years.

In the south of the island, Catnick Head is the best place to see orca on Orkney’s Isle of Hoy. Surrounded by the sea, the headland features an active 19th century lighthouse that overlooks the Pentland Firth and Sound of Hoxa. Cantick Head Lighthouse Self Catering Cottage can be booked as accommodation and is arguably the best place to stay to see cetaceans on Orkney, with orca, whales and dolphins often being seen from this spot.

Flotta is a small island near Hoy that sits at the joining of the Pentland Firth and Scapa Flow. Due to its central location, Flotta makes a great place to see Orkney’s cetaceans, with orca frequently being spotted around the island. An 8 mile (13km) route around the southern end of Flotta passes ruins of an old naval cinema, various gun batteries, including the Buchanan Battery on the east coast, and Stanger Head Port War Signal Station. During both world wars, Flotta was an important base for thousands of servicemen and women. Now it can be visited by ferry from Houton and is home to a huge oil terminal , as well as a small Heritage Centre and Museum .

10) Noup Head (Westray)

Westray is the largest of Orkney’s northern isles and one of the best places in Orkney for wildlife. The most westerly tip is home to Noup Cliffs Nature Reserve which is an RSPB protected area. Thousands of seabirds settle in this area, including Arctic terns, gannets, guillemots and kittiwakes. Noup Head is also one of the best places to see puffins in Orkney.

You can follow the spectacular 4.25 mile (7km) long cliff-top walk along 76 metre (249ft) tall cliffs that give great views out to the ocean, where whales and orca are often seen. The Noup Head Lighthouse stands tall on the headland. Dating back to 1898, this is one of the best places to see orca in Orkney’s northern islands.

11) North Hill (Papa Westray)

Papa Westray, known to the locals as Papay , is a small island in the north of the Orkney Islands. It is another of the best places to see orca in Orkney due to it’s north-westerly location. The protected area RSPB North Hill is home to rare plants and birds, including Arctic terns and skuas. Whales, porpoises and dolphins, including orca, are often seen from the coast here.

Papay is accessible by ferry from Kirkwall and Westray, but the better way to arrive is by taking the shortest flight in the world from Westray. The island has a population of 80-90 people and is home to two of Orkney’s most important historical sites. The Knap of Howar is a 5700 year old Neolithic farmstead that is older than the Pyramids of Giza, while the Holm of Papa Westray Chambered Cairn features graffiti that dates back to around 3000 BCE. The best way to see the island is to take a Papay Peedie Tour – a history, archaeology and wildlife tour with local guide Jonathan. We did this and it’s fab.

The best resources for orca and whale watching in Orkney

The first thing you should do before embarking on a whale watching trip to Orkney is join the Orkney Cetacean Facebook Group . Sightings are posted regularly and can give you a good idea of the common locations cetaceans are spotted in Orkney (spoiler, we’ve listed them above), as well as live whale and dolphin activity. You can also follow the Orkney Marine Mammal Research Initiative (OMMRI) Facebook Page for more Orkney cetacean information. If you’re a keen bean (like we are), you can message them and ask to be added to the Orkney Cetacean Sightings Telegram Group , a very similar group chat to the one the BBC team used to locate a pod of orca off Shetland while filming the new Wild Isles series. You can also visit their website, Orkney Marine Mammal Research Initiative , and report sightings here .

Sea Watch Foundation’s Recent Sightings website page is also very useful, although we’ve found it has less frequently registered sightings than the groups we’ve listed above. Their annual Orca Watch is a great citizen science event where they collect as much data as possible on the whales, dolphins and porpoises in the waters around Caithness and North Sutherland, Orkney and Shetland with the help of volunteers. The 2024 Orca Watch dates are 25th May to 2nd June.

There’s also an annual Orkney Nature Festival , which celebrates Orcadian wildlife with photography classes, guided walks and events. The 2024 Orkney Nature Festival dates are 25th May to 2nd June.

The Whale and Dolphin Conservation website also has lots of valuable information about cetacean conservation in the UK. And it’s good to be familiar with the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code too.

The Scottish Killer Whale Photo Identification Catalogue (2021) is a great public resource put together by a team of researchers in Orkney and Shetland and contains lots of information about individual orca in the Orkney and Shetland Islands.

It’s also worth thinking about the kit you might need for spotting orca, whales and dolphins in Orkney. A good pair of binoculars is possibly the most important item to carry when whale watching. We’d recommend something with a strong magnification and wide field of view. We use the Nikon Prostaff 3S 10×42 Waterproof Binoculars with a 7° field of view ( Browse UK | Browse US ). And to capture those amazing memories, it’s worth investing in a good camera with telephoto or zoom lens . Here are our recommendations of the best cameras for wildlife photography:

• DSLR:  Nikon D7500

Browse UK  |  Browse US

• Full Frame:  Sony A7 III
• ASPC:  Fujifilm XT4
• ASPC:  Canon EOS R7
• Micro Four Thirds:  Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV (our camera)

Top tip: Please be really careful if you’re driving to a cetacean sighting location following an online alert. It can be easy to get swept up in the adrenaline, but Orkney’s roads can be narrow and windy. It’s also a good idea to have a navigator with you as it’s illegal to use your phone while driving and you’ll want the most up-to-date sightings information when you’re out and about.

Read next: The Best Wildlife Photography Camera Settings

The best orca and whale watching wildlife tours in Orkney

Now you know how to see orca in Orkney on your own, it’s time to talk about tours. Because Orkney is still a fairly remote location, it’s not been ruined by over-tourism. This is great news for the wildlife there, but it does mean that tour options are slightly more limited than in more popular places around the globe.

As such, there are no whale watching tours in Orkney. This is because cetacean sightings are too unpredictable to run a dedicated tour for. However, you can join a Historical and Wildlife Boat Tour , where you have the opportunity to see Orkney’s surrounding islands and spot wildlife including seals, dolphins and whales. While adventure seekers should consider joining a Shapinsay Island Speedboat Tour , where you can visit Balfour Castle and the lighthouse on the uninhabited island of Helliar Holm. There will be plenty of time to spot any seals, whales and dolphins that might be around too. Both of these tours are run by Ocean Trek , a local company who are endorsed by The Royal Yachting Association and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Tours to Orkney can also be taken from the Scottish mainland, with John O’Groats Ferries running a 90 minute Wildlife Cruise , which offers passengers the chance to see seals, whales, dolphins, porpoises, arctic skuas, storm petrels, guillemots, puffins, razorbills and kittiwakes, as well as rugged cliffs and scenery in the Pentland Firth. An Orkney Islands Day Trip can also be a great way to see Orkney’s main sites, including the Stone Age site of Skara Brae, as well as offering wildlife spotting opportunities.

Those looking for a broader tour should consider this Orkney West Mainland Tour , which visits Scapa Flow, Yesnaby and Skara Brae (all of which are great cetacean spotting sites), before visiting the Ring of Brodgar, which dates back 4500 years. While those looking for something unique can join a Personalised Orkney Trike Tour .

Visitors looking for a fully-immersive experience should consider joining a multi-day tour , which provides a great balance between history and wildlife spotting. Intrepid Travel offer a great 5-day itinerary around Orkney’s main islands. Other multi-day tours of Orkney include:

• 3-Day Orkney Explorer from Inverness
• Orkney and Northern Coast 5-Day Tour
• Orkney and The Far North 5-Day Tour from Edinburgh
• Orkney, Skye and the Far North 8 Day Tour from Edinburgh

What other wildlife can you see in Orkney?

Orkney is a wildlife-lover’s haven and there are plenty of other species of animal to spot, besides cetaceans. You may be wondering what other wildlife is on the Orkney Islands, so we’ve split this next section up by animal to make it easier to list the best places on Orkney to see each species.

Basking sharks

Basking sharks are the second largest shark, after the whale shark . They are known for their huge mouths, which they swim with open to scoop up plankton, their food source. Basking sharks have been spotted around the Orkney Islands fairly frequently. Whale shark season in Orkney coincides with whale and orca season, between mid-July to mid-September . Basking sharks can grow up to 10 metres (33ft) long and are identifiable by their large, triangular dorsal fin , which can be seen gliding above the surface. Basking Sharks in Orkney are most often seen from the Churchill Barriers , or around the outlying fish farms.

Read next: Everything you need to know about Swimming with Whale Sharks in La Paz

There are two types of seal in Orkney: Grey Seals (known to locals as Selkies ) and Common Seals (also known as Harbour Seals ). October to November is pup season for grey seals in Orkney, while June to July is pup season for common seals. Not to be confused with sea lions , seals have smaller flippers and wriggle around on their bellies when on land.

There’s mixed information online about how many seals are in Orkney, with some sources saying it’s believed that around 15% of the world’s seal population reside around Orkney, while others state it’s 15% of Scotland’s population of seals. Regardless, it’s clear you have a pretty good chance of spotting seals in Orkney. They can commonly be seen basking in the sunshine or playing in the shallows. Some seals have even been known to follow you in the water as you walk along the shore. Many visitors wonder where to see seals in Orkney and there are a few places where you’re almost guaranteed to see seals. On the Mainland, the Brough of Birsay and the Loch of Stenness by the Ring of Brodgar are great places to see seals, while the Holm of Papa Westray and Saviskaill Bay (Rousay) have large seal colonies too. You should always keep at least 50 metres away from a seal, as it’s very important not to disturb them, especially if they have a pup.

Read next: Everything you need to know about Snorkelling with Sea Lions in La Paz

Puffins are small black and white seabirds with colourful bills and legs. In Orkney, puffins are known as tammie norries and spend most of their lives at sea. Puffins can be seen in Orkney between May to July , when they burrow into the cliffside to raise a single egg. Many tourists wonder where to see puffins in Orkney, as they can be quite elusive. The best places to see puffins in the Orkney Islands include Castle o’Burrian and Noup Head (Westray), Noup Cliffs (Papa Westray), the Brough of Birsay and Marwick Head (Orkney Mainland).

Fun fact: A baby puffin is called a puffling.

Orkney is a great place to go birdwatching and has a great variety of seabirds. The great skua (known as a bonxie ) can be found on Hoy, which is home to over 1400 pairs. Hen harriers , merlins , curlews and skylarks can also be spotted around the islands between April to late July . RSPB Hobbister and Cottascarth are two of the best spots for birdwatching in Orkney. Orkney is also one of the best places to see Arctic skuas in the UK. Unfortunately, this species is in decline but they can be found in breeding pairs in coastal moorland areas and RSPB reserves.

Short eared owls are possibly the cutest bird in Orkney (along with the puffin). Known to locals as Cattys , these small owls have feline faces and can often be spotted on the top of fenceposts . Alternatively, Trumland, RSPB (Rousay) and Hoy RSPB Reserve are great spots for seeing short eared owls too.

Both golden and white-tailed sea eagles have been spotted in Orkney. In 2018, a white-tailed eagle chick successfully hatched in Orkney for the first time in over 140 years, while a golden eagle couple nested in 2021 for the first time in 40 years. Both species nested on Hoy but the exact location was withheld to protect them.

Some tourists wonder: are there penguins in Orkney? There are no penguins in Orkney (all penguin species are native to the southern hemisphere), but the black and white razorbill can be found in the Orkney Islands. These birds, along with puffins, can sometimes be mistaken for penguins.

Otters may be cute and charismatic creatures, but they’re also incredibly elusive and mainly active at dawn and dusk. The best places to see otters in Orkney include Kirkwall , the Loch of Stenness , particularly around the Brig o’Waithe and Scapa Flow . There is a wildlife watching hide just past the Barnhouse Settlement that overlooks the Loch of Harray , that is another great place to see otters in Orkney. Fair warning though, you’ll need to take a little patience and (DEET-free) mosquito spray with you. In the islands north of the Mainland, otters are most likely to be seen foraging along low-lying rocky coastlines on Eday and Sanday.

The Best Wildlife Photography Camera Settings

Let’s Talk About Ethical Wildlife Tourism

Should You Touch A Grey Whale In Baja California Sur?

The Thorough Guide To Magdalena Bay Whales’ Grey Whale Camp

Everything You Need To Know About Blue Whale Watching In Loreto

Everything You Need To Know About Humpback Whale Watching In Los Cabos

How to see Puffins at Bempton Cliffs: A Yorkshire Coast Guide

The Best Stockholm Budget Itinerary with Prices

Prague’s Best Eco-friendly Hotel: Botanique

The Best European Christmas Markets Road Trip: A One Week Itinerary

The Thorough Guide to Reykjavík

The Ultimate Self-drive Golden Circle Road Trip Itinerary

The Thorough Guide to Iceland’s Golden Circle

The Thorough Guide to Iceland

The Thorough Guide to South East France

The 10 Best Things to do in Tenerife

The 15 Best Beaches in South West Wales

The Thorough Guide to Pembrokeshire

Check us out on social media!

Save this article for later!

Whale Watch from Orkney

No Need for Sea Legs to Spot Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises and Seals from Orkney

Summer is whale watching season for landlubbers around Orkney. You don't even need to have sea legs for great viewing.

Visit Orkney during the summer months, from May through September and your chances of spotting a killer whale, minke whale or long-finned pilot whale in the waters around this island group are excellent.

Experts report that 90 percent of the orca sightings around the United Kingdom are in the waters off Orkney and Shetland. Small pods of the black and white "killer whales" (actually related to dolphins) are regularly spotted. And in 2015 a giant pod of 150 orcas was sighted east of Orkney. That was an unusually large pod, but smaller groups of orcas are regularly spotted from shore. Orca Watch Scotland reported that 2019 was a particularly bumper year for spotting orca and other whales from the John O'Groats ferry that travels through prime orca territory. Passengers on the ferry also spotted minke whales and long-finned pilot whales along the route, south of South Ronaldsay. In May 2018, locals watched from the shore as a group of Orcas cavorted in Scapa Flow. And later the same year, in August, pods of up to five animals at a time were seen around Orkney.

Orcadians have been chasing whales for years

In times past, a whale stranding on Orkney would have been considered a lucky extra source of food.

Pods of small whales were deliberately driven onshore for food and oil. And, in the 19th century, Orcadian sailors, renowned for their skill in small boats, were regularly recruited for whaling ships heading for the South Atlantic.

The port of Stromness on the West Mainland, Orkney's second largest town, was once regularly visited by whaling fleets and visitors should look out for whale bones still decorating many of its houses.

Whale hunting with cameras

Today, whales are only hunted with cameras. Sharp-eyed passengers taking the ferry across Pentland Firth from Scrabster in Scotland to Stromness have reported sightings - especially during from May through July. But sightings from the ferry are not guaranteed and this crossing can occasionally be rough.

Actually, you've got a better chance of spotting whales and other wildlife from a comfortable perch on solid ground. Orkney is one place that you can whale watch from land. The western waters, off the cliffs and shores of Orkney's western islands offer the best odds of good sightings.

Orkney isn't an island but a group of islands (or archipelago) known by the collective name Orkney. The locals will quickly correct you if you refer to their home as "The Orkneys". Each island in the group has its own name.

For the best whale watching, locals recommend Cantick Head on the island of Hoy, Noup Head on the island of Westray and North Hill on the island of Papa Westray. For your best chance of spotting whales and dolphins, book a land-based wildlife and archaeology tour from local guides at  Orcadian Wildlife . The company does longer tours with accommodations, but can also arrange shorter, tailor-made tours.

Day tours and shore excursions with a chance to whale watch are also available from  WildAbout Orkney

Hoy, Westray and Papa Westray can all be reached from ports on Orkney - the mainland island - via Orkney Ferries.  Ferries leave from different island ports. For Hoy, ferries depart from Houton and Stromness. For Westray and Papa Westray, ferries leave from Kirkwall. The schedule is seasonal and complicated so it's best to check the website as well as the map on the Orkney Ferries home page.

What kinds of whales can you see?

While orcas are the most common species, minke whale and long-finned pilot whale are often spotted too. In fact, at least 18 different species have been seen, drawn to the cold, fish-rich waters around the islands. In 2011, a 50-foot sperm whale cruised by to the delight of excited onlookers. In August 2019, a sperm whale was live-stranded on the sands of Shapinsay, one of the Orkney islands. By next morning the tide had floated it and it was spotted swimming north, never to be seen again.

The Sea Watch Foundation , a British environmental charity that supports the conservation of cetaceans - whales, dolphins and porpoises - keeps track of sightings around the island and publishes a surprisingly long online list. Check here for the most recent sightings, including types of whales and where seen. 

Orkney whale watchers have seen:

• beluga whale
• sperm whale
• northern bottlenose whale
• Cuvier's beaked whale
• Sowerby's beaked whale

And that's just the beginning. If you are lucky you might also spot Atlantic white-sided dolphin, white-beaked dolphin, common dolphin, bottle-nosed dolphin, harbor porpoise and the whale-sized Risso's dolphin. Any time of year, you can also expect to see grey and common seals hanging around coastal areas, keeping fat and sleek on Orkney's marine feast.

6 Great Destinations to Go Whale Watching

Where to See Dolphins in New Zealand

How to Spot Whales in Virginia Beach

Visit Orkney - a Quick Planning Guide

Whale Watching in Los Angeles

How to Go Whale Watching in Seattle

Scandinavia's Best Whale Watching Spots

Whale Watching in Monterey and Santa Cruz

Canadian Whale Watching: Where to Go

Islas Marietas National Park: The Complete Guide

Africa's Top Ten Whale and Dolphin-Watching Destinations

Whale Watching in Vancouver: The Complete Guide

What You'll See While Snorkeling or Diving in Tahiti

Whales and Dolphins of the California Coast

The 12 Best Places to See the Northern Lights

11 Things to Do in Fidalgo Island, Washington

THE BEST Dolphin & Whale Watching in Orkney Islands, Scotland

Dolphin & whale watching in orkney islands.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Scapa Flow Diving Holidays

Your Guide to Adventure!

We offer wildlife & historical speedboat tours around Oban , Firth of Lorn and surrounding islands.

Experience Oban in a new and exciting way. Take a tour around the surrounding islands. Be amazed by local scenery and gaze at a variety of wildlife which can includes seals, dolphins, whales and various species of birds ( but NOT guaranteed). Get an up-close view like no other.

Minimum passenger weight 20kg.

 Leaving Dunstaffnage Marina  you will visit -

• Oban Harbour
• Madien Island
• Gylen Castle , Kerrera  
•  Wildlife watch
• Connel Bridge
• Dunstaffnage Castle 
• Return to Dunstaffnage 

(This tour may change slightly due to weather and tide conditions)

TOURS START - 11am and 12:30pm

BOOKING OFFICE  (+44 7555 284 566) 

COMING SOON - JUNE-SEPTEMBER

Private Charter

We offer private charters for family groups, longer tours, commercial business, island transfers.

CONTACT FOR BOOKING

Contact for bookings - [email protected] / +44 7555 284 566

Terms & Condition -All passengers will be provided with life-jackets, wet-weather wear can be provided upon request. All tours are subject to weather conditions and can be cancelled, in the event of a cancelled tour, re-booking or a full refund is avaliable. Cancellation Policy - 48hour prior to schduled tour to be issues FULL refund, within 48hour NO refund can be issued.

Experienced Guides

Our tour guides are very experienced with all the safety training needed and are commercially endorsed by RYA/MCA.

Beautiful Sites

 Be amazed by island scenery and gaze at a variety of wildlife which can includes seals, dolphins, whales and various species of birds ( but NOT guaranteed). Get an up-close view like no other. 

Satisfaction Guaranteed

 "We did the hour boat tour and it was amazing! Well worth the money… the guy was very knowledgeable and made it a fun experience "  

" Fantastic thrill with a guide who made sure everyone felt safe. Knowledgeable of the local islands and a great trip."

Drop us a line!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

[email protected]

Booking Office

+44 7555 284 566

Dunstaffnage Marina, Dunstaffnage, Oban, Scotland, United Kingdom

Photo Gallery

Copyright © 2024 OceanTrek Ltd - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by GoDaddy

• Privacy Policy

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

• Guided tour at the Ness of Brodgar, Orkney

Guided Tours

• Plan Your Trip
• Getting Here
• Journey Planner
• Getting Around
• Accommodation
• Late Availability
• Green Tourism
• Itineraries
• Visitor Guides & Downloads

Orkney might be a relatively small place but there is still so much to see. For the first-time visitor, planning your itinerary can be a bit daunting.

Luckily, we have some of the finest tour guides to be found anywhere. Friendly and knowledgeable, they’ll take good care of you during your time touring our sites and make sure your visit is unforgettable.

Many are also proficient in different languages and lots are highly experienced experts in their fields, whether that’s archaeology , wildlife or wartime history .

A number of sites and attractions have set tour times that you can join, or you can speak to one of Orkney’s private guides to tailor a trip that’s perfect for you. If you decide to travel with a guide, you’ll be able to plan your schedule in advance and get all the hints and tips you need prior to setting off.

They’ll get you around our unmissable sights safely, you’ll learn a huge amount along the way, and you’ll get a real insight into Orkney life too.

Browse our listings below for more info:

Scheduled tours.

Browse a selection of scheduled tours that take place on a set day or time, such as distillery tours, walking tours at Brodgar and cathedral tours.

Our range of guided tour providers can arrange tours for small or larger groups based on your specific interests and requirements.

Share this page on

Seawolf Wildlife Tours

Rediscover Wonder.

Fall back in love with wildlife.

Maybe you’ve always been a wildlife lover. maybe you want to share a passion with your kids. maybe you want to finally see that creature that’s always captivated you. or maybe you just want an adventure. whatever it is, caithness can reinspire your love of nature, or provide you with a new experience to remember forever..

Puffin Tours.

Adorable puffins are guaranteed on this tour of some of our busiest local puffin roosts with an experienced ecologist. Whether you have your own transportation or not, we will get you that sighting. But more importantly, the magical experience of the Caithness puffin colonies. Watch them take off and climb into their burrows to nestle and feed their young, flying overhead amongst other seabirds such as common and black guillemots, fulmar, razorbills, cormorants using high powered binoculars. Look out for our grey seals, or on a lucky day, out local whales and dolphins.

NOTE TO OUR BELOVED GUESTS: THIS IS NOT A BOAT TOUR. PUFFINS RESIDE AT THE TOPS OF THE CLIFFS YOU WILL VISIT.

There are easy routes for young children or tougher trails that get you up close for hardier hikers, roosts accessible by car or by public transportation from any Caithness Town! We'll suit this tour to you. Good walking boots are essential, and bookings are subject to cancellation during bad weather, which can cause dangerous conditions. Binoculars and ID guides provided. If you require transportation by car, please note that there is a fixed additional fee of £30 that can be paid on the day or by purchasing an additional ticket, and a minimum of 2 days notice. This covers both fuel and a driver.

All tours depart from Thurso Bay Campground Car Park - Please note the campground is not affiliated with us, and you cannot book tours through them. We can however recommend the coffee, food, and milkshakes served there at the onsite Blue Door Diner.

Booking cancellations are subject to poor weather - high winds make many areas unsafe for walking. When winds reach speeds of over 20 mph, children will not be able to participate, and above 30, the tours will be cancelled.

£45 per adult

£15 per child

£30 per local adult

£10 per local child

Sunset Puffin Tours.

Caithness sunsets are pretty spectacular, and our puffins agree. Sunset is the best time to spot puffins as they come home to roost for the night in large numbers, and spend this time socialising and winding down. Watch them court their partners while the sun sets behind the Orkney Islands over the Atlantic Ocean.

NOTE TO OUR BELOVED GUESTS: THIS IS NOT A BOAT TOUR. PUFFINS RESIDE AT THE TOPS OF THE CLIFFS YOU WILL VISIT

Adorable puffins are guaranteed on this tour of some of our busiest local puffin roosts with an experienced ecologist. Whether you have your own transportation or not, we will get you that sighting. But more importantly, the magical experience of the Caithness puffin colonies. Watch them take off and climb into their burrows to nestle and feed their young, flying overhead amongst other seabirds such as common and black guillemots, fulmar, razorbills, cormorants using high powered binoculars. Look out for our grey seals, or on a lucky day, out local whales and dolphins. There are easy routes for young children or tougher trails that get you up close for hardier hikers, roosts accessible by car or by public transportation from any Caithness Town! We'll suit this tour to you. Good walking boots are essential, and bookings are subject to cancellation during bad weather, which can cause dangerous conditions. Binoculars and ID guides provided. If you require transportation by car, please note that there is a fixed additional fee of £30 that can be paid on the day or by purchasing an additional ticket, and a minimum of 2 days notice. This covers both fuel and a driver.

All tours depart from Thurso Harbour - Please note the campground is not affiliated with us, and you cannot book tours through them. We can however recommend the coffee, food, and milkshakes served there at the onsite Blue Door Diner.

Simmer Dim Nocturnal Wildlife Tour.

The Simmer Dim is the time of endless summer nights and long hours of amber and purple twilight in the North of Scotland. It also reveals the secrets of our Caithness noctural wildlife…with the help of a few extra gadgets.

Watch bats, otters, owls and seals by night with our starlight nightvision camera scope, and learn how to use a heterodyne bat detector to identify and find bats by their call as researchers do. Watch dozens of these normally invisible animals flit around your head, keeping an eye out for the local otters who go a-hunting at this time along Thurso River. It will be a truly magical experience. Find out how to protect them, bring them into your own gardens and rescue grounded babies as they learn to fly. Talks will be lead by an experienced bat surveyor who spent 6 years as a researcher for the University of Edinburgh who will answer your questions like "Why do vampires turn into bats?", "Are they really blind?" and "How do they help humans?"

£15 per adult

£8 per child

Private Wildlife Tour of Caithness.

Thurso is home to a wonderful world of wildlife, but there is more to be seen outside of our town. Whether you want to be shown the puffins, gannets, guillemots and razorbills at Dunnet head, look out for whales and dolphins from the Duncansby stacks, or explore our inland mountains and moors looking for Red Deer Stags, Highland Cows and Hen Harriers sky dancing, we can show it to you. Available to those who have their own transport, though public transportation options are available for some locations. Binoculars and ID guides are provided, most tours will take a minimum of 2 hours. You will not be charged extra for going over this time. Booking cancellations are subject to poor weather - high winds make many areas unsafe for walking. When winds reach speeds of over 20 mph, children will not be able to participate, and above 30, the tours will be cancelled.

£30 per adult

Whale Watching Picnic

We also want to give you the best chance of spotting the 12 species of whales and dolphins that swim up and down our coast every day. We’ll not only take you to the best whale watching spots in Caithness, we’ll park you in front of puffins for company. With a complimentary luxury picnic, binoculars, ID guides, and your professional puffin and whale spotter guide.

You can enjoy:

Caithness Charcuterie prepared in Clyth and made from local meats, including venison salami

Chutneys, dips and jams made in Orkney and Caithness

Thurso made Wolfburn whisky or Orkney Brewery puffin ales

Caithness scones, oatcakes, pastries and cakes from Reid’s bakery

Caithness and Orkney Cheeses

Watch the puffins come and go, wait for your whales, eat charcuterie or cheese, drink tasty beverages. Sounds like it might be the best day of your life.

Dietary requirements can be catered to on demand, just message us. For just £10 more per adult than a regular tour, you are entitled to an almost unlimited amount of your guide’s time as well as your complimentary picnic. Own transport required, or 48 hours notice to arrange transport.

£55 per adult

£20 per child

Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates.

South Orkney Islands and Elephant Island Antarctica Whale Watching Cruises

• Start Date Select Month April 2024 May 2024 June 2024 July 2024 August 2024 September 2024 October 2024 November 2024 December 2024 January 2025 February 2025 March 2025 April 2025 May 2025 June 2025 July 2025 August 2025 September 2025 October 2025 November 2025 December 2025 January 2026 February 2026 March 2026 April 2026 OR, More specific start
• Wildlife & Safari Exploration
• Adventure Options
• Photography Seminars
• Scuba Diving
• Small Ship Cruises
• Whale Watching
• Wildlife Viewing
• Greg Mortimer
• Magellan Explorer
• MV Plancius
• Silver Cloud
• Sylvia Earle
• Elephant Island

In Shackleton's Footsteps

• Explore the Iceberg Alley
• Explore Shackleton's expedition
• Discover King penguins
• Explore Fortuna Bay and Stromness

South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey

• Discover South Georgia's wildlife
• Discover Antarctica
• Explore Antarctica's wildlife
• Discover seals
• Explore Falklands-Malvinas
• Discover South Georgia
• Lookout for wondrous wildlife
• Watch for whale-sightings
• Explore South Georgia
• Explore Antarctic Peninsula
• Look out for views and sceneries

South Georgia and Antarctica - Round Trip Puerto Williams

• Marvel at spectacular icebergs
• Meet Antarctica's diverse wildlife
• Enjoy Zodiac excursions
• Follow the history of Shackleton

Antarctica - Elephant Island - Weddell Sea - Polar Circle

• Sail to legendary Elephant Island
• Set foot on the Antarctic Continent
• Zodiac cruise by alpine peaks
• Search for whales in polar waters
• See stunning Weddell Sea

Classic Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctica

• Visit the Western Falkland Islands
• Search for wildlife and seabirds
• Explore the Eastern Falklands
• Discover icy South Georgia

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Elephant Island - Antarctica - Polar Circle

• Bird watch a multitude of seabirds
• See Commerson’s Dolphins
• Visit whaling and sealing station

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

• Get a taste of Falklands history
• See four S.Georgia penguin species
• Discover the South Orkney Islands
• Set foot on the Antarctic continent

Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica - Round Trip Puerto Williams

Antarctica travel guide.

• All Antarctica Trips
• Antarctica Luxury Cruises
• Best Time of Year to Travel to Antarctica
• Comparing the Two Polar Regions: Antarctica and Arctic Cruising
• Antarctica FAQs
• Antarctica Weather
• Antarctica Fly + Cruise
• Punta Arenas
• Falkland Islands
• Antarctica Adventure Cruises
• Kayaking in Antarctica Tours
• Camping in Antarctica

Favorite Antarctica All Trips

• Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica: Explorers and Kings
• Antarctica Express Air Cruise
• Antarctic Small Ship Expedition

Top Elephant Island Travel Destinations

Elephant island trips by departure date.

• 2024 Elephant Island trips (4)
• 2025 Elephant Island trips (8)
• 2026 Elephant Island trips (4)

Elephant Island Trips by Activity

• Elephant Island wildlife viewing (12)
• Elephant Island small ship cruises (11)
• Elephant Island whale watching (10)
• Elephant Island kayaking (6)
• Elephant Island snorkeling (3)
• Elephant Island photography seminars (3)

Why Travel With Adventure Life

Recognized by.

Experience the Wildlife

Orkney has 36 sites of special scientific interest and 13 special protection areas which are important areas for wildlife protected by Scottish Natural Heritage and 13 reserves managed by the RSPB .

Porpoises are seen frequently seen all year round the coast of Orkney and several species of Dolphin can be seen passing through Orkney waters in the summer months. 90% of sightings of Orca in the UK are off Orkney creating much excitement locally. Pods with up to 150 animals have been spotted off the East of Orkney in 2015. The best time to see them is between May and September. Minke Whale and long-finned Pilot Whales can also be spotted. For the best whale watching, locals recommend Cantick Head on the Island of Hoy, Noup Head on the Island of Westray and North Hill on the Island of Papa Westray. For your best chance of spotting whales and dolphins, book a land-based wildlife and archaeology tour through local guides.

Contact & Find Us

Find us on Google Maps

LOWER QUOYS Evie Orkney KW17 2PH

Telephone: +44 (0) 1856 751422 Mobile: 07796671611 Email: [email protected]

We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. To use our website, you must agree to our Privacy Policy and our Cookies Policy .

Privacy Preference Center

Consent management.

Orcadian Wildlife

Experiences and sights you'll talk about long after your holiday,   2024 & 2025 tours, 22nd season, relaxed tailor-made wildlife and culture holidays for small groups. 2024 orkney tour dates are now available for our 21st anniversary season. private tours may however be still available on request (minimum 2 days). all 2 024 tours are now full.  private tours may be available later in the season in july or august 2024, please enquire for details (minimum 2 days). following early enquiries, 2025 dates are now available , please click here for details., stop press 23 november 2023: orkney-based wildlife tour operator, orcadian wildlife has won the business for nature award at rspb scotland’s prestigious 2023 nature of scotland awards in 2024 orcadian wildlife celebrates its 21st anniversary season of sharing orkney’s amazing wildlife with its guests. founded as a family business in 2004 it has been for many years the only wildlife tourism operator providing week-long tours resident in orkney. from hen harriers to orcas to scottish primroses, orkney’s wildlife is unique, why tour orkney with us we pride ourselves on the attention given to you, our guests, in blending orkney’s wildlife and culture. we live here, and know that you will witness memorable lifetime sightings in our beautiful archipelago with its 5,000 year-old monuments. the weather will be fresh, the days long and the sights and sounds of our simmer dim will remain with you always., highlights include long-tailed duck, scaup and great-northern divers, close up and breath-taking in their summer plumage. lapwings, curlews, snipe and redshank will be calling and displaying. hen harriers will be ‘sky-dancing’ or making food passes for your enjoyment. may brings the 1st flowering of the scottish primrose, then later the cliff-tops will shock with their pinks and blues: thrift and spring squill. other delights include large seabird and auk colonies on rspb reserves; arctic and little terns, arctic skuas and bonxies; and perhaps even orca or other cetaceans in scapa flow or the pentland firth. orchids are in bloom in the moorlands and sea turf..

    Hen Harrier female, Grimness, South Ronaldsay.

Guests may expect to see around up to or around 100 species of birds, even though many common passerines are absent here.  Migrants are interesting and almost anything can (and does!) turn up. Recent rarities seen have included Varied Thrush and Siberian accentor. But please don’t be put off by rarities, we’re very happy with novice birdwatchers and pleased to pass on our skills.

A local saying is that orkney soil bleeds history.  orkney abounds with ancient neolithic monuments like skara brae over 5,000 years old, and our many standing stones speak for themselves. we have had guests from all over the world who have enjoyed hugging stones like at the ring of brodgar or stones of stenness.  our circular pictish brochs are awesome in construction and siting. our viking past is very much alive in place names and accents. indeed orkney is often described as a little piece of norway beyond scotland., here’s a short video made by jack archer of hopscotch films for the nature of scotland awards 2023, when orcadian wildlife won the business for nature award, a 7 night, 5 day guided tour of orkney (with one ‘day free’ for personal wishes) in 2024 is £1,895 per person. this represents excellent value for money for a small group tour (maximum 5 persons), and is all-inclusive of the high quality 4* family-run hotel accommodation, meals, electric vehicle transport within orkney, and most important of all, the 20+ years of experience of your guide, steve sankey.   all you have to do is to get here, and we will do the rest .

From above left: Orkney’s best-loved bird, the puffin, always feature in our itineraries; a typical group enjoying the Old Man of Hoy; Skara Brae and other 5,000 year-old Neolithic sites are a must; and finally gannets at Noup Head gannetry on Westray.

Steve has completed a ‘World Host’ customer-service training course, in order to maintain Orcadian Wildlife’s highest standards of customer care. 

What makes a holiday in Orkney with Orcadian Wildlife different?

We like to pride ourselves on no two days ever being the same. Orkney’s shifting skies and seas help, as does the weather – frequently all four seasons in one day. So it’s important to bring your waterproof jacket and trousers, and your boots.

Wildlife doesn’t stop for the weather and neither do we (unless with your agreement!). Wildlife, walking, photography and of course Orkney’s superb 5,000 year old Neolithic (new stone age) sites always feature in our itineraries.  

• We keep groups small (usually 5 guests only) on purpose in order to enable you to see more – you will see lots of memorable sights with us, whatever the time of year. We specialise in a blend of wildlife and culture.
• We listen to you carefully about exactly what you’d like to see and where you would like to go – there are no sites on set days. Visiting islands is included and great fun!
• We actually live here (unlike most tour groups who visit) and so we know more about daily life in Orkney.
• Our holidays are all-inclusive , so that all you have to do is get here, and we do all the rest.
• We’re proud of our approach to the environment: a very small group; an organic lifestyle; and a generator of renewable energy to help offset your carbon footprint.
• We encourage repeat visits (Orkney gets a grip of you…) and returning guests benefit from large discounts .
• Last – but most important – we really look after you ! See the many testimonials on our website from our guests who have appreciated our relaxed style over the last 19 years.

There is always something special to see at any time of the year, from sky dancing hen harriers, to hunting orcas, and migrant birds.

Download 2023 Orkney Tourist Brochures  

Download our  Orcadian Wildlife Tours Leaflet

Please visit the Orcadian Wildlife Facebook page for up-to-the-minute sightings and other current Orkney daily blog-type content: http://facebook.com/orcadianwildlife   – this site also contains photo-albums of all international tours.

See some short videos of seabirds by clicking on this You Tube link:

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsEhYl5vuuuelwB0LP8JSpA

And you can access lots of useful general information about Orkney by clicking on the following link:  Orkney.com

Since 2004 until the final dig season in 2024, an exciting archaeological dig has been taking place at the Ness of Brodgar in West Mainland, in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. This site has been the subject of a TV documentary by Neil Oliver, and has contributed much to our knowledge of the Neolithic peoples and their lifestyle. If you wish to learn more, read this excellent piece done by Roff Smith for the National Geographic – for visual click  here ; for the feature article click  here . For detailed information see the Ness of Brodgar website .

For a flavour of what Orkney has to offer the holidaymaker have a look at our Orkney Photo Album

website designed in Orkney by Westray Digital Art (web design)

Shetland Sea Adventures

Daily Boat charters from burra

Whale Spotting

WE HAVE NO DEDICATED WHALE WATCHING TRIPS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, WINTER MACKEREL SEASON ONLY

Shetland has to be one of the best places in the world for spotting whales, and while there is always the chance of seeing whales on any of our excursions our dedicated WINTER whale spotting trips will take you to wherever they are spotted up and down the west side of Shetland. We would love to call it whale watching but there is never any guarantee you will see them, but later in the autumn/winter when the pelagic boats are working out in the haaf hundreds of orca gather to feed on the escapees from the nets. (see videos below) Escaping the frying pan only to be snapped up by an eager orca.

These trips are not for the faint hearted sea conditions are likely to be poor to rough, so it will be cold and wet and once we are out we won’t turn around to drop you off.

We've noticed that you're using an out of date browser. We recommend that you update to the latest version to enhance your browsing experience.

Minke whale surfaces close tour boat

© Basking Shark Scotland

Sea of the Hebrides

Whale and Dolphin Watching

A full day of ocean wildlife watching in the Sea of Hebrides, a recognised marine wildlife hotspot on the Hebrides Whale Trail. Join our team of marine biologists as we search for dolphins, whales and more!

Our tour starts in Oban (Dunstaffnage Marina) and using our fast RIBS we can take you to the whale and dolphin grounds quickly and comfortably. We also have an option to join the tour from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull.

Join our marine biologist guides on an ocean discovery and let us show you some amazing marine wildlife!

We'll spend our tour exploring the Inner Hebrides around Mull, Coll & Small Isles a designated hotspot on the Hebrides Whale Trail, and now a MPA for minke whales. We will see both coastline and open ocean giving you the best chances to see a range of species.

The main whale species we see is minke, along with common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and porpoises. There is always a chance of basking shark sightings, along with other rare wildlife - such as the last members of the west coast orca pod, rissos dolphins and even sunfish!

We also see a lot of seabirds on our tours which are very abundant during summer months. The main species are puffin, guilliemot, razorbill, manx shearwater and gannets. We also pass by areas where white tailed sea eagles are resident and have very good chance to see them too.

Though we can offer full days of wildlife watching, both our seal and lagoon day trip and puffin and seabird tour have excellent opportunities for spotting whales and dolphins too!

From £165 per adult

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

May — September

Contact details

• +44 (7975) 723140
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Key facilities

Tour information.

• Oban, Mull and Lorn
• Tobermory & North Mull
• Small Group (1-16)
• Island Hopping
• Outdoor Activities
• Photography

Tour prices

From £165 Per Adult

Prices are subject to change depending on season

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see this. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Tour gallery

Tour company information

Basking shark scotland.

We specialise in adventure wildlife tourism, offering transformation experiences snorkelling and wild swimming around the Inner Hebrides. Our basking shark specific tours are seasonal so we also run many other wildlife & watersports tours, charters and overseas expeditions. Look out for our shore based experience snorkelling - a perfect introduction to the wealth of marine life below the waves.

Social Channels

Visit Basking Shark Scotland

Opening times

Office (home) open Mon/Tue/Thur/Fri - 0930-1600 Different tours operate at different times of year. Main season usually Apr-Oct.

Other tours from this company

Seal and Lagoon tour

Departs: Tobermory & North Mull, Oban, Mull, Oban, Mull and Lorn

Join us on a trip to the Hebrides to visit a stunning secluded lagoon. Guided by...

Price from:

£170pp

Puffin & Seabird Tour

Departs: Tobermory & North Mull, Oban

A full day adventure to the Treshnish Isles on the west side of Mull to visit th...

£150pp

Basking Shark Tours

Departs: Coll, Oban, Oban, Mull and Lorn

We are the No1 worldwide operator to see basking sharks in the biggest basking s...

£600pp

SUP - Stand Up Paddleboarding

We run a variety of SUP (Stand Up Paddle boarding) tours based from Oban and the...

£50pp

The content of many of our web listings is provided by third party operators and not VisitScotland. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for (1) any error or misrepresentation contained in third party listings, and (2) the contents of any external links within web listings ((1) and (2) together hereinafter referred to as the "Content"). VisitScotland excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the Content. The Content is provided for your information only and is not endorsed by VisitScotland.

We require a few essential cookies in order for this site to function. We would like to set additional cookies in order for us to offer our live chat service and to better understand how you interact with our site in order for us improve our service for you.

• Let With Us
• Get in touch
• Find us on facebook
• together travel co. on twitter
• together travel co. on Instagram
• together travel co. on YouTube
• together travel co. on Pinterest
• together travel co. on TikTok
• Pet Friendly
• Weekend Breaks
• Near The Beach
• Hot Tub & Pool Breaks
• Accessible Travel
• Electric Vehicle Charging
• Unique Holiday Stays
• Short Stays
• Cycling Destinations in the UK
• On The Water
• Easter Breaks in the UK
• May Half Term
• Self-Catering Summer Holiday Cottages
• New Years Eve
• February Half Term
• Spring Breaks
• New to the Collection
• East Cheshire
• North Yorkshire
• West Cheshire
• North Cornwall
• North Devon
• South Cornwall
• South Devon
• Llŷn Peninsula North Wales
• John O'Groats North Highlands
• Lews Castle Outer Hebrides

Not sure where you're going? Have a look at our Map of Destinations and plan your perfect getaway.

Explore inspiring destinations .

Orca Watching in John O'Groats

The best time & place to spot orcas...

In recent years Orca have come to be celebrated for their playful nature and high intelligence, almost leaving behind the nickname ‘killer whale’.

But when David Attenborough and the BBC recorded the whales hunting in 2017, it soon became clear what led to the nickname, with the team labelling the whales as ‘some of the most efficient hunters alive’. Plus, they are at the top of their food chain, consuming a large variety of sea-life; sea birds, turtles, sharks and even dolphins.

Despite their nickname, Orcas are still loved across the world, with Orca watching being incredibly popular. The BBC’s Winterwatch recently did a feature on Orca watching at John O' Groats , so below we’ve listed everything you’ll need to know if you’re planning a trip to see them.

Orca watching in John O’Groats

The BBC’s Winterwatch feature was filmed over a 7-day period in the middle of May, during the annual Orca Watch. Anytime between May and September is said to be the time that you’re most likely to see them, however it isn’t guaranteed and it’s worth spending at least a few days there to increase your chances of seeing them.

The Orkney Islands are one of the best places to spot Orca and getting there from John O’Groats is incredibly easy, with ferries leaving from the pier right next to the inn everyday through May and September.

It takes roughly 40 minutes to get there and you will spot lots of wildlife on your way too (if you’re lucky even some Orcas!).

More information, as well as tickets can be found here .

Before you embark on your journey, here are 4 facts you may not know about Orcas:

• As well as being included in the whale family, they are also classed as the largest member of the dolphin family. 
• Orcas are found in every Ocean around the world, making them the most widely distributed whale.
• They are incredibly fast swimmers, having been recorded at speeds of up to 34 mph.

Other Wildlife You Can See in and around John O’Groats

It's never guaranteed that you'll be lucky enough to see any, or all of the above, however there are specific times of the year when it's more likely. The John O'Groats wildlife cruises, featured on our Top 2020 John O'Groats Ferry Tours , provide guidance on when you're most likely to see what. 

If you’re now planning your trip to spot the Orcas, we are offering a 10% discount on any stays longer than 3 days during Orca Watch 2020. If you’re not planning a trip to John O’Groats but still fancy a coastal retreat, our North Wales holiday cottages could be the perfect option instead.

The best places to see whales in Britain

Once you’ve seen your first whale, you will want to see another… and another.

• Post author By Bradt Guides
• Post date 4th June 2022

You never forget your first whale. Be it a tantalising glimpse of a minke whale, the jaw-droppingly long roll of a fin whale’s back, or the breathtaking power of an orca (aka killer whale), the sight will be indelibly inscribed on your retina. And once you’ve seen your first whale, you will want to see another… and another.

The habit is not as bad for your pocket as you might think. A flawed assumption is that cetaceans inhabit only far-flung places. Fortunately, there’s no need to travel to tropical or polar regions to wonder at whales. Our own fair isles have ample species that can be seen in widely dispersed locations – a clear advantage of living on an island! Here’s our pick of the best places to see whales in Britain.

Whitby, North Yorkshire

The harbour towns of the  North Yorkshire coast  have no ferries to take you from A to B but, weather permitting, lots of opportunities exist for trips out and back in the summer months. 

Whitby offers some of the best whale-watching options , perched on the mouth of the River Esk which provides a natural sheltered anchorage for ships using the North Sea. This is still a working harbour and going to sea in boats will always be at the heart of the town. In the 18th century fleets of sailing ships left these shores, not just explorers like Captain Cook but whalers of world renown like the captains (father and son) Scoresby. Ironically, some of the most popular trips out of the harbour these days are to take people to see creatures that were once the hunters’ quarry – whales.

In late summer and early autumn good numbers of minke, humpback, and even fin and sei whales, follow shoals of breeding herring down the Yorkshire coast, and boats like the  Specksioneer , the  Bark Endeavour  (a scale replica of Captain Cook’s famous sailing ship) and one of the town’s historic retired lifeboats, the  Mary Ann Hepworth , will take you out to see them. Successful viewing rates are as good as anywhere in the country so consequently these trips are very popular – it’s best to book early. 

North Shields, Northumberland

Minke whales appear along the Northumberland coast from mid to late summer, with late August being the peak time for sightings. The best way to see this cetacean up close is to join a pelagic boat trip – Northern Experience Wildlife Tours comes highly recommend. Departing from North Shields near Newcastle, the outfit is run by wildlife expert Martin Kitching. 

Above the waves, such pelagic wildlife trips are often accompanied by fulmars, kittiwakes and squabbling gulls, while rarer sightings have included storm petrels, long-tailed skuas, sooty shearwaters, grey and red-necked phalaropes and, very occasionally, orcas.

South West Coast Path, Devon

Walkers can enjoy the very best of East Devon on this long-distance hiking trail. When planning walks along the coastal path, bear in mind that the stretch just east of Sidmouth is very tough, with a lot of steep hills. It is also very beautiful with terrific views.

Take binoculars on all cliff walks; you stand a chance of seeing dolphins, seals, basking sharks or even (if you’re really lucky) whales, as well as a large variety of seabirds, including cormorants and shags basking in the sun on the cliffs at Beer.

Tiumpan Head, Outer Hebrides

Up to 23 species of whale, porpoise and dolphin – more than a quarter of the world’s 89 known cetacean species – either reside or pass through the waters off the west coast of Scotland, and many of these are frequently spotted from the coastline of the Outer Hebrides . 

Such sightings are, of course, down to good fortune and timing, but to help nudge the odds in your favour, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) has created a Hebridean Whale Trail . The trail marks 30 points across the Hebrides – including ten in the Outer Hebrides – where you have a sporting chance of seeing whales or dolphins. The aim is that each location will feature an interpretation board telling you what to look out for. 

The Outer Hebrides locations are: Tiumpan Head on the east coast of Lewis; the Butt of Lewis; Gallan Head on Lewis’s Àird peninsula; Hushinish on North Harris; Scalpay to the east of Harris; Balranald and Lochmaddy on North Uist; Rubha Àird a’Mhuile on the west coast of South Uist; Tràigh Mhòr on Barra; and St Kilda. 

‘Tiumpan Head, on the east coast of Lewis, is good for sightings of humpback and sperm whales,’ says Karl Stevens of the HWDT. A Whale Track app can be downloaded from the HWDT website which will enable you to identify and register what you see, as well as find out what has been spotted recently.

Small Isles, Inner Hebrides

Among visitors with even a smidgeon of interest in nature, few depart the Inner Hebrides anything other than wowed. The waters between the islands are arguably the UK’s finest for spotting whales and if you’ve never spotted one, then you can do no worse than join a vessel exploring these seas. 

A highlight of summer boat trips in the deep waters around the Small Isles (made up of Eigg, Rùm, Muck, Canna and Sanday), Mull or Coll is minke whale, which can be ten yards long and weigh ten tonnes. Typical views can be frustratingly brief – a quick roll of the back and a flash of dorsal fin as the whale surfaces to breathe – but occasional animals amaze by performing acrobatic leaps out of the water. The Small Isles also offer the greatest chance of orcas. A single pod is known from the area, and scientists have tracked it widely through the waters of west Scotland. 

Cantick Head, Orkney

One of the best places to see whales in Orkney is from Cantick Head, South Wall’s most easternmost point. Many species of whales are spotted offshore, including minke, long-finned pilot and (occasionally) sperm whales. Orcas are increasingly seen. One pod regularly patrols the waters of the Pentland Firth for unwary seals, and individuals or groups have showed up in Eynhallow Sound between the Mainland and Rousay as well as off Eday.

Due to the abundance of marine life, it is sadly not uncommon to encounter cetaceans washed up on beaches, particularly in winter and early spring. While many of these will be natural deaths, entanglement in fishing gear, ingestion of plastics and other causes are also responsible. If you find a stranded or dead cetacean contact the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme .

More information

Discover more of the best places to see whales in Britain with our guides:

• Orkney Islands Tourism
• Orkney Islands Hotels
• Bed and Breakfast Orkney Islands
• Orkney Islands Holiday Rentals
• Flights to Orkney Islands
• Orkney Islands Restaurants
• Orkney Islands Attractions
• Orkney Islands Travel Forum
• Orkney Islands Photos
• Orkney Islands Map
• All Orkney Islands Hotels
• Orkney Islands Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Orkney Islands
• Orkney Islands
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Holiday Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travellers' Choice
• Help Centre

Whale watch - Orkney Islands Forum

• Europe    
• United Kingdom (UK)    
• Scotland    
• Orkney Islands    

Whale watch

• United Kingdom Forums
• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Holiday Rentals
• Scotland forums
• Orkney Islands forum

I will be travelling to Orkney Islands in the beginning of July. What is the best way to spot whales in Orkney? Boat trips? Watching from land?

Whales can generally be seen from land. Sign up to the Orkney Cetacean Sightings Facebook page to get alerts.

Thank you for your answer. I signed up the facebook page.

Tripadvisor staff removed this post at the original author's request.

There has been, for the last few years, a pod of Orcas feeding on seals along the coast from John O'Groats/Duncansby Head south.The day trip boat that goes to Orkney from JoG had amazing sightings of them a couple of years back, hunting right along side the boat.See their Orca photos in the small office if you have time!

Keep a look out on the crossings to and from Orkney.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

• One day in Orkney Islands Kirkwall 17 April 2024
• Restaurants in Kirkwall on a Monday evening 24 March 2024
• Parking in Scrabster and booking ferry tickets 03 March 2024
• Best drone locations 20 February 2024
• Punctuality of Stromness to Scrabster Ferry 19 February 2024
• Scotland and the Orkney Islands 18 January 2024
• Rent a car or public transport on orkney? 17 January 2024
• Help - Kirkwall to Westray to Papa Westray to Kirkwall fligh 26 December 2023
• 5 +/- day Orkney Islands visit 28 November 2023
• Impact of cruise ships 09 November 2023
• One day in Kirkwall 23 October 2023
• One day in Kirkwall 19 October 2023
• Where is the best place to stay in Stromness? 16 October 2023
• Ferries around the Orkney small islands - choppy? 08 October 2023
• Best way to get to Orkney Island 11 replies
• Midge situation 13 replies
• Bicycle rental on Sanday and Rousay 7 replies
• Number of daily daylight hours in September and October? 7 replies
• Stromness or Kirkwall as base? 10 replies
• Orkney Islands - Where to Stay??? 4 replies
• from Glasgow to Kirkwall 2 replies
• cycling in Orkney 5 replies
• What Ferry? Pentland or Northlink to Orkney 22 replies
• How to go from Inverness to Orkney 6 replies

Orkney Islands Hotels and Places to Stay

• Skip to main content
• Skip to footer

Whale watching in West Cork, Ireland with Colin Barnes -- Cork Whale Watch

Whales, dolphins and marine wildlife tours in West Cork, Ireland

Main Content

Whale Watch Trip Availability (Viewing only). Click "Book Now" link below if booking.

Whale watching trips.

When it comes to unique wildlife encounters there are few things as breath-taking and humbling as coming face to face with the world's largest creatures.Whale watching is one of those activities …

...find out more. about West Cork Whale Watching Trips

Schedule and Bookings

Use the calendar to check trip availability. Ready to book? Call 00 353 (0)86 3273226... more on trip availability We provide dedicated whale-watching trips out of Reen Pier, near Union Hall, West …

...find out more. about Schedule & Bookings

Frequently Asked Questions

You'll find answers to many of the questions people ask us regularly in the FAQ section below -- just click on the question you're interested in to reveal the answer you're looking for -- or use the …

...find out more. about Frequently Asked Questions about Whale Watching in West Cork

Research and Conservation

Cork Whale Watch believes passionately in the power of evidence based scientific research to inform and enhance whale and dolphin conservation in Ireland.Colin Barnes has worked closely with the …

...find out more. about Whale and Dolphin Research and Conservation

Experience the best whale watching in West Cork

Latest from the skipper.

October 12, 2019 By Colin Barnes Leave a Comment

The importance of forage fish

The recent closure of the Celtic Sea herring fishery brings to the fore, the desperate plight of forage fish in Irish waters, and points clearly to the fact …

[Read more...] about The importance of forage fish

October 8, 2019 By Colin Barnes Leave a Comment

Whale Watching and the weather.

We are frequently asked by customers why we are cancelling a trip, when the weather seems to be so nice where they are?  We hope this will help explain why we …

[Read more...] about Whale Watching and the weather.

August 13, 2019 By Colin Barnes 1 Comment

Remembering the Fastnet Race Disaster, Aug.13th 1979

Forty years ago today, was the day the Fastnet yacht race was in full swing, with 303 boats entered. The race was suddenly turned into a maritime disaster by an …

[Read more...] about Remembering the Fastnet Race Disaster, Aug.13th 1979

See what customers think

Connect with cork whale watch.

Like us on Facebook

Whale Watching Gift Vouchers