grey seals

We had a three hour trip with eleven passengers this morning in an increasing southerly wind. The wildlife was a bit awkward to photograph today as it was unpredictable and the waves were a bit choppy but we managed to spot harbour porpoises (who were hunting deep so only surfacing intermittently), bluefin tuna and some…

It was a cold windy day today and felt rather autumnal. The wind was from the north, so it wasn’t rough, just cool and choppy further offshore. We had two Ocean Discovery trips – on the first one we saw plenty of harbour porpoises and gannets, and at the end of the trip watched some…

Back out on the water today after a couple of windy days. It was still fairly breezy especially this afternoon, however the westerly wind was perfect for sailing offshore. This morning we very quickly found some common dolphins who bowrode with us for nearly an hour as we were sailing in the same direction they…

We had a Discovery Voyage this morning followed by a private three hour charter this afternoon. After the strong wind of yesterday and overnight there was quite a chunky swell running but the wind had switched northwesterly, so conditions weren’t too bad at all. In the bay first off we found masses of common dolphins…

Today the conditions were trickier than they had been, with a brisk southwesterly wind whipping the sea up into a choppy state. That meant the afternoon trip was shortened to two hours, but this morning we got the full three hours in. At this time of year, we start seeing more of the exciting offshore…

On this morning’s three hour Ocean Discovery tour we saw our first big feeding frenzies of bluefin tuna of the summer. This is an amazing sight (and sound!), as the tuna rush around hunting prey, and making the water look as though it is boiling. Occasionally they launch themselves out of the water and you…

It was a bit of a drab day today and it got much drabber still this afternoon. The wildlife sightings were great though. On the morning three hour trip, we first watched seven seals round the island as they hauled out on the rocks. Two of the females were in a very moany  mood –…

Unbroken sunshine and great wildlife sightings all day today. On the morning Ocean Discovery there was very little wind, so great spotting conditions. Very quickly we spotted a couple of Risso’s dolphins who were “logging” at the surface, sleeping. They are very vulnerable to boat collision from fast moving boats and disturbance when they are…

Back out on the water today after a wet and windy couple of days, with a four hour then a three hour trip. This morning we headed to where we estimated there would be common dolphin activity and sure enough there was, with three pods spotted over the area. Passengers enjoyed watching them bowriding and…

This morning’s Ocean Discovery trip was cold, grey and choppy but the wildlife made up for it. We had a tip there were lots of dolphins further south so headed that way quickly, but everything seemed quiet. We then sailed westwards into the bouncy sea, and suddenly lots of common dolphins rushed up and surrounded…