Orca Sea Safaris
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A Selection of Our Sightings
Porpoise
00:12 AM, Tue 25 October 2011
50°N 2' 28", 5°W 2' 17"
Yesterday's weather was absolutely awful.. but today has been so much better! This afternoons trip managed to dodge the showers. Whilst sat watching a few Gannets off the Manacles a couple of Harbour porpoises were seen happily feeding
Dolphins
10:10 AM, Fri 23 September 2011
50°N 9' 0", 5°W 1' 48"
The solitary dolphin that we have named George has been around for the last ten days or so has found a mate.
Dolphins
14:02 PM, Fri 16 September 2011
50°N 9' 0", 5°W 1' 48"
We have a solitary bottlenose dolphin that has been around in the inner harbour. It has a chunk missing from his dorsal fin although it looks like an old injury
Seal
15:03 PM, Fri 5 August 2011
50°N 3' 23", 5°W 0' 34"
This afternoons trip saw seals happily feeding, however the highlight of the trip was a Thresher shark swimming past the boat three or four times. One passenger reckoned it was doing 40mph!! We are hoping that between everybody on the boat we will have some pictures at that speed it makes it quite difficult. Thresher sharks have long elongated tails that are used to stun fish.
Porpoise
11:11 AM, Tue 2 August 2011
50°N 3' 23", 5°W 0' 34"
There is a bit of a buzz around Falmouth today with Brad Pitt filming in and around the waters of Falmouth. The weather at the moment is kind and we have had some very calm waters. Over the last few days we have had some good sightings including a small pod of Common dolphins, several groups of Harbour porpoise, seals and a variety of sea birds including the solitary Eider duck!!
Dolphins
13:01 PM, Thu 28 July 2011
50°N 9' 0", 5°W 1' 48"
Once again the sunshine is out and very light winds.Our trips today have seen Common Dolphins happily feeding on the large numbers of fish. Harbour porpoises were sighted also taking advantage of the good feeding at the moment. A large number of Gannets were falling from the skies. One of our passengers thought he had seen a couple of Balearic Shearwaters amongst them. The solitary Eider duck is also still around. The faithful seals have also put in an appearance. A good day for all.
Dolphins
19:07 PM, Wed 27 July 2011
50°N 3' 53", 5°W 2' 42"
This year has been exceptional for dolphin sightings. Large pods of Common dolphins have been reported along the Southern coast of Cornwall. Both our trips this afternoon set out with anticipation. With passengers celebrating Birthdays and wedding anniversaries, holiday makers and locals alike, it will be a day to remember! Common dolphins were sighted happily feeding and then became very interested in riding the bow wave.
Just a reminder to other boat users to adhere to the code of conduct when interacting with cetaceans. If you are not familiar with this have a look at the WISE website... Happy Days
Sunfish
13:01 PM, Wed 27 July 2011
50°N 3' 23", 5°W 0' 34"
This mornings trip set out in glorious sunshine and a gentle Northerly wind. A sunfish was spotted, some of our passengers were very intrigued not having seen one before seals and sea birds were also sighted
Dolphins
17:05 PM, Sat 23 July 2011
50°N 9' 0", 5°W 1' 48"
It feels like Summer again... Hooray. All our trips today were fortunate enough to see a pod of 10 Bottlenose dolphins happily showing off. Local fisherman are reporting large numbers of Mackerel at the moment. With seals and large numbers of Gannets and Manx shearwaters, today certainly will be a day to remember for all our passengers. See our Facebook page for more pictures
Porpoise
14:02 PM, Fri 22 July 2011
50°N 2' 28", 5°W 2' 17"
The weather this week hasn't been great but despite this we have managed to see a large number of Manx shearwaters and Gannets. The skys have looked pretty dark at times today but the weather has held. This afternoons trip were lucky to see two Harbour porpoises along with many sea birds and seals both in the water and hauled out. (library picture)
Basking sharks
13:01 PM, Wed 13 July 2011
50°N 3' 34", 5°W 0' 30"
A sea breeze had picked up this afternoon so a bit of South Easterly chop. This afternoon's boat trip managed to spot a 6m basking shark along with various sea birds. This mornings also spotted our local seals hauled out enjoying the sunshine on Black Rock
Birds
11:11 AM, Wed 13 July 2011
50°N 9' 0", 5°W 1' 48"
on one of the trips today a Male Eider duck in Eclipse plumage was spotted, during the non breeding season is when this dull plumage is displayed. They nest close to the sea, the nest is lined with Eiderdown!! Mussels are their favoured food. Thanks to Steve Ogden for the picture.
Dolphins
10:10 AM, Tue 12 July 2011
50°N 9' 0", 5°W 1' 48"
It was another calm day with mirror like seas, it didn't take long before the trip spotted a number of Bottlenose dolphins. We think it is the same group that has been in and around Falmouth a number of times. They followed the boat for some time before heading East. One passenger was particularly quiet when they returned, he described himself as being shell shocked from the experience of seeing these magnificent creatures so close. The trips today also saw a number of seals hauled out and various sea birds including Gannets and Guillemots. Great weather we are having
Sunfish
13:01 PM, Mon 11 July 2011
50°N 2' 28", 5°W 2' 17"
An eagle eyed passenger spotted the sunfish basking in the sun... yes we do get sunshine!! The conditions remained ideal for this afternoons boat trip.
Spotted by Afternoon wildlife boat trip
Porpoise
12:12 PM, Mon 11 July 2011
50°N 3' 34", 5°W 0' 30"
This mornings trip set off on a glassy sea, with not a ripple to speak of. They were fortunate to enough to see our regular seals on Black Rock.Two lots of two Harbour Porpoise and various sea birds. One of our passengers looked like he had some great shots of the Harbour porpoise, not an easy task I can assure you. I will upload as soon as we receive them.
Spotted by Morning Wildlife Boat Trip
Birds
13:01 PM, Sun 10 July 2011
50°N 3' 23", 5°W 0' 34"
A number of Gannets were observed off the Manacles today.They strike the surface with tremendous force sending up quite a splash
Porpoise
13:01 PM, Sat 9 July 2011
50°N 3' 23", 5°W 0' 34"
The boat trip this morning were lucky enough to get a glimpse of a couple of Harbour Porpoise. They are not particularly sociable and are usually solitary or in small groups. Grey seals were also seen out towards to East.
Spotted by Morning Wildlife Boat Trip
Dolphins
16:04 PM, Fri 1 July 2011
50°N 9' 0", 5°W 1' 48"
It has been a superb day on the water today. With all three trips seeing some very agile and acrobatic bottlenose dolphins. This mornings trip were also treated to a couple of Harbour porpoises as well!! See our Facebook page for some fabulous pictures
Spotted by All boat trips
Dolphins
20:08 PM, Mon 27 June 2011
50°N 9' 0", 5°W 1' 48"
As soon as the engines were started, the liquid sunshine arrived!! However with brighter skies on the way all on board were very keen to go. It turned out to be a great decision as a close encounter with eight bottlenose dolphins just off Pendennis Point, two Harbour Porpoise just east of the Helford, gannets, guillemots and seals. Have a look on our Facebook page for more photo's.
Spotted by Morning Boat Trip
Dolphins
13:01 PM, Sat 25 June 2011
50°N 3' 23", 5°W 0' 34"
The weather couldn't make up it's mind today in Falmouth. Skipper went out to check the conditions for this afternoons trip all was OK and... he found the dolphins! I have never seen a group of people get kitted up so quickly with that they set off. Now where is this heatwave?
Spotted by Afternoon boat trip