Whale Watch West Cork | Whale & Dolphin Watching      During the early part of the season we run dolphin & whale watching tours in the morning and during the afternoon leaving at 9.30am and 2.30pm respectively. During the high season, July and August we will run early morning tours and evening tours that are scheduled according to demand. Other times may be booked by arrangement. Corporate bookings, group bookings and children are all welcome. Times may vary according to the prevailing weather and tidal conditions. EARLY BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL DURING THE HIGH SEASON TO ENSURE YOU GET THE TIME AND DAY YOUR REQUIRE. Whale Watch West Cork is dedicated to providing our customers with a safe, comfortable and educational whale and dolphin watching experience. We seek to impart detailed knowledge on the marine mammals and other wildlife we encounter and on the wider issues of marine conservation through informed commentary with special emphasis on the current threats facing these unique animals and their fragile environment. We directly support conservation measures through education and research. MonthsApril • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December DurationShort (1-3 hours) • Half-day (3-6 hours) Vessel typesSmall boat (0-50 passengers) Times and prices9.30am & 2.30pm €50 per person About our skippers and naturalist guidesSlocum's on board commentaries have become legendary. Aware of the limitations of the guidelines governing the interaction of boats and cetaceans in Ireland Nic has spent the past four years reviewing guidelines and codes of conduct from around the world covering the interaction of boats and marine wildlife. Addressing interaction at the species level Nic has created the most comprehensive code of conduct for whale watching vessels currently employed in Ireland. Nic and Whale Watch West Cork have received many accolades for his environmentally friendly approach culminating most recently with the Irish travel writer Catherine Mack commenting in her new book Ecoescape Ireland that ".Nic's expertise has led him to draw up a code of conduct for whale watching to encourage best practice in conservation and education in the whale watching business. Let's hope all other operators follow suit. FacilitiesAccess to wheelhouse • Deck with 360?vision • Hands-on materials (bones, shells etc) • Naturalist guide(s) as well as skipper • On board hydrophone • Onboard research • Posters / displays / maps • Public participation in research • Reading material available • Restrooms / toilets on board • Scenic backdrop to encounters • Snacks / drinks • Support conservation • Use a code of conduct We frequentlyWatch whales and dolphins Baleen WhalesFin Whale • Minke Whale Ocean DolphinsShort-beaked Common Dolphin PorpoisesHarbour Porpoise Other wildlife and points of interestBasking Sharks and Sunfish. Beauiful coastline. AddressBaltiimore Harbour,
Town / CityBaltiimore
State / CountyWest Cork
Zip / PostcodeCountryIreland
WebsiteTel00 353 28 33357
 caroline forskitt good day to end the year Traveled: 2015-10-02, Reviewed: 2015-10-02
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
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Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
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fantastic, excellent knowledge on the marine life, we were about to watch and get up close to. Nic is super friendly , and very approachable even when we were asking silly questions. it went by too quickly will be back next year with plenty more friends already been on facebook telling everybody how good it was.
big thankyou Nic. Patricia Clifford so good we have booked to go again next week Traveled: 2014-05-21, Reviewed: 2014-05-23
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What an amazing trip...far exceeded my expectations. Nic was a wonderful guide....very welcoming, considerate and patient of less mobile customers. His expertise, knowledge and care of the wildlife was fantastic. We were out on the water for over 4 hours and I was on a high after the wonderful fresh air, stunning scenery,glorious skies of many hues and of course the wildlife. It was a very therapeutic trip for me as I recently suffered a very close bereavement and I found the whole experience very healing. We have booked to go again next week with a visiting Swiss friend. Can't wait.
Thanks Nic. Ursula de Cleir Will definitely go again Traveled: 2014-04-18, Reviewed: 2014-04-24
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The trip was a great experience overall. Got to see dolphins showing off beside the boat, and big fat seals relaxing on rocks. I have been recommending it to everyone since I came back. We were out on the boat for hours, with a relaxing stop off in Cape Clear. It was just beautiful, and so lucky with the weather. Nic was great throughout the whole trip, giving us historical information about all landmarks we saw. A fantastic story teller. Unfortunately we didnt see whales, but our expectations weren't too high as it was a bit too early in the season. We were well prepared for this by Nic before we set off. A very comfortable boat ride, but exhausting, only because I'm not used to so much fresh sea air :) if you are ever in the West Cork area, I would definitely insist you go on a trip with Nic. :)
Milaja Nykanen Great experience! Traveled: 2013-08-10, Reviewed: 2014-04-11
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Very nice experience over all. Nic was great finding the animals (Minkes) and we stayed watching them feed until another whale watching vessel approached. Nic was sensible to give the whales some distance at taht point, and let the other tour operator vessel have their turn. We also saw common dolphins. Nic also operated the boat in a calm manner, not revving the engine and not accelerating suddenly but approaching the whales slowly and then turning the engine off. It was the first time seeing whales/dolphins for many people in our group and a what a great experience it was!
Sarah Maher Excellent trip Traveled: 2013-09-04, Reviewed: 2013-09-03
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The trip was really excellent and the hours flew by. We were really impressed by the trip - a decent sized group (not too large), good facilities on the boat, educational talks but also fun and a visit to Clear island at the end (great value). The wildlife and views were fantastic - we saw many Minkes, seals, great birdlife but for us the highlight was the dolphins. We have been dolphin and whale watching all over the world but this was our best experience. The guides were very knowledgeable but also very respectful of the animals. Will definitely book another trip next year. Here's a link to a video of the day - does not do the trip justice but gives a hint of what was a magical experience
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQjGqUncExA GERRY MARMION well worth the trip Traveled: 2013-08-29, Reviewed: 2013-08-16
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Very enjoyable experience and great value for money. Comfortable boat,spectacular scenery,knowledgeable and amusing captain/guide in the person of Nic Slocum and his lovely assistant. Didnt see any whales on this trip but had a spectacular encounter with dolphins and seals. Enjoyed the break for refreshments on Cape Clear Island. This was the highlight of my break and it is highly recommended for young and old. Keep up the good work Nic.
Turek experience of a lifetime Traveled: 2013-08-13, Reviewed: 2013-07-30
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It exceeded our expectations by far. We spent half an hour among feeding dolphins and Mink whales. The dolphins put on a hell of a Show, but most impressive were those 3 minkwhales coming really close, one of them diving right under the boat and up again on the other side, Nic was a great and considerate guide, always switching off engines in the proximity of animals, backing us with lots of interesting stuff on whales and dolphins. <a trip we'll never forget!
Stephen Crabb Second time back Traveled: 2013-08-10, Reviewed: 2013-07-28
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This was our second trip out with Nic. The first one was last year and although we didn't see any Baleen Whales we saw Porpoises and had a great encounter with some common dolphins which our 3 1/2 year old absolutely loved.
Yesterday we again had a great dolphin encounter and we saw some Minke Whales. I can't recommend Nic's trips highly enough. The boat is great for young and old alike and Nic's enthusiasm is infectious and his knowledge of marine wildlife is extensive. If you have elderly or infirm people the boat is especially suitable as it has an enclosed cabin with seats and Nic is super patient and careful. Anne Thanks Captain Nic! Traveled: 2013-08-04, Reviewed: 2013-07-26
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I very much enjoyed the whale and dolphin watching off Balitmore Harbour in west Cork. Captain Nic was so passionate about the whales and minimising any disruption to them. We got to see Minke whales and lots of dolphins. It was not only enjoyable but very educational and has given me a new appreciation for whales and the work that people do to protect them. It was a trip to be remembered. I will definitely recommend it and I cant wait to go again!
 Maureen Pater Exceeded Expectations Traveled: 2013-07-14, Reviewed: 2013-07-24
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Nic Slocum, boat Captain did a great job providing an overview of the Sherkin Island area, the habitat of the animals, and ways to support preservation of marine life. I would recommend again and again!
Visited August 2013 Patrick Moore Educational tour de force Traveled: 2013-07-27, Reviewed: 2013-07-17
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This was an educational tour de force by Nic Slocum. We got to see Minke whales, porpoises and a local seal colony while, in between, Nic provided a descriptive commentary of what we may / may not see and why. Always engaging and sensitive to the welfare of the animals we had come to observe, this was a trip to be remembered. Nic even found time to fill us in regarding the maritime history of the local area as well. Thoroughly recommended
 Bart Hoppenbrouwers Minke Whales & more Traveled: 2013-07-14, Reviewed: 2013-07-15
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A wonderful trip and very educational ,so good that I want to do it again.
Wayne Farmer Surrounded by Minke Traveled: 2013-07-13, Reviewed: 2013-07-13
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Never been on a Whale Watching trip and chose this one from the many available in Ireland. So glad I did - couldn't have asked for a better trip and host. Nic Slocum is an awesome guy - never met a friendlier person and he made you feel at ease at sea and among friends. While we knew there was a possibility of not seeing anything we saw loads of Minke and at one point were surrounded so that we didn't know which end of the boat to be on. A very educational trip and one that looks out for the welfare of the marine life. If you go on a Whale watching trip in Ireland then you'd be stupid to go with anyone else.
 Jacqueline Huffermann Experience Traveled: 2013-07-14, Reviewed: 2013-07-12
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For me the first time and it was great. Thanks to Nic with his expertise, hospitality and enthusiasm! I certainly want to learn more now about sea life and science about these wonderful animals now. :)
 David Lacey Amazing Traveled: 2013-07-14, Reviewed: 2013-07-09
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Brillant Trip, it was an Amazing Experience, Very Educational, so good im looking at doing it again :D
 Paul Blackburn Minke, dolphin, porpoise, sunfish and seals - ticked all the boxes ! Traveled: 2013-07-11, Reviewed: 2013-07-06
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A great informative trip led by a highly knowledgeable guide. Nic is passionate about marine life in general so regardless of what pops its head/tail or fin up Nic knows about it, both in his own area as well as global whale related issues. Plenty of space on the boat avoids the gunwale rush and with the center wheelhouse great photos can be taken without bits of superstructure suddenly popping into view.
5 mins out of Baltimore we came across a large group of dolphins who attached themself to the boat, Nic's sensitive approach allowed great contact with them, they seemed to enjoy it before we sheared gently off after 8 mins. Thoroughly reccomended lin simmonds A trip to remember Traveled: 2013-07-07, Reviewed: 2013-07-04
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Fantastic trip. We enjoyed every minute of it. Nic obviously knew his stuff which made for a very interesting afternoon. Wouldnt hesitate to recommend it. A trip to remember .
Sharon Wade Great Experience Traveled: 2013-07-11, Reviewed: 2013-07-04
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
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Juan Felipe Gamez Amazing day and we managed to see 3 whales! Traveled: 2013-07-12, Reviewed: 2013-07-02
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
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The trip was excellent and well within my the expectations, however, if in advance we got the advise to bring binoculars the trip experience could have been even better. But on the other hand, the knowledge of our guide Nic was excellent, which helped us to understand the trip and handle the expectations.
Pheobe The best tour I've been on in a long time! Traveled: 2011-09-14, Reviewed: 2012-01-21
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Whale Watch West Cork was every bit as good as the recommendations I had prior to the trip. It is rare these days to be 100% happy with an experience. I can say categorically that the trip with this company, that I took with my daughter, was an unforgettable one. The captain, Nic Slocum, really knew his stuff about whales and dolphins and was both an entertaining and amusing guide. I would definitely go again and have recommended this tour to my friends. Worth every penny!
Cas Life changing Experience Traveled: 2011-08-11, Reviewed: 2012-01-21
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I have been on many whale and dolphin watching trips around the world and I can honestly say that this trip ticked all my boxes. The skipper and guide on board the Whale Watch West Cork boat were extremely knowledgeable and whilst they worked very hard to achieve excellent sightings for the passengers at all times they had the animals interests at heart. Never once did they operate outside the very strict code of conduct devised by WWWC. As someone who considers themselves to be an experienced whale watcher, I was very, very impressed. An all round fantastic marine wildlife and whale watching experience and would recommend it to anyone!
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