Marine Discovery Penzance | Whale & Dolphin Watching      Whale and dolphin watching in Cornwall At Marine Discovery we are one of the 9 Planet Whale ambassadors and commited to promoting a sustainable future for whale and dolphin watching. We run our trips on board Shearwater II, a fast sailing catamaran. Using a sailing vessel to go wildlife watching is a very different experience to using a RIB or other motor boat and you can be certain that the trip you have chosen is maximising your enjoyment, while minimising its impact on the marine environment. Listening to dolphins whistle to each other while bow riding under the netting is a once in a life time experience! The boat is stable, comfortable and totally unique! The Ocean Discovery is our most popular trip. This 3 hour long sail is a fascinating marine experience and covers both offshore and inshore waters. We have collected over 25 000 miles of research in this area and our knowledge helps to increase our chances of finding some of our local wildlife. We can see a variety of cetaceans, basking sharks, ocean sunfish, grey seals and a variety seabirds on our trips. You will also get the opportunity to see some of West Cornwall's iconic landmarks such as the Minack Theatre and St. Michael's Mount from the sea. We also offer The Discovery Voyage is a 4 hour trip similar to the Ocean Discovery but more time allows us to explore further. We also offer the Bay Discovery a 1 ½ hours trip - this trip explores the inner area of Mount's Bay and is mainly focussed on families with younger children or those wanting a “taster” of Cornwall’s marine environment. MonthsFebruary • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November DurationShort (1-3 hours) • Half-day (3-6 hours) Vessel typesSmall boat (0-50 passengers) • Under sail / Yacht Times and pricesDiscovery Voyage leave at 9.00 and 14.00 £40 per person Ocean Discovery leave at 9.30 and 13.30 - Adult £35 Child £25 (under 16) Family £108 (2 adults and 2 children) Bay Discovery leaves at 10.00 or 17.30 - Adult £18 Child £14 (under 16) Family £55 (2 adult and 2 children) Exact itineraries and departures can vary from day to day and spaces are limited so it is important to call in advance to book. About our skippers and naturalist guidesDuncan is the co-founder of Marine Discovery and has huge experience in studying the marine wildlife of west Cornwall. He also has a degree in Marine Geography, specialising in marine ecosystems. He is involved in projects to record and analyse effort based data gathered during the trips. Hannah is a co-founder of Marine Discovery and has guided on thousands of trips since the start of the business and has a thorough knowledge of the wildlife of the area. She is responsible for taking and cataloguing the photographs on the trips, which are used for ID purposes. We also have Marine Science greaduates working with us over the summer so there is no shortage of knowledge on the boat! FacilitiesAccess to wheelhouse • Deck with 360?vision • Naturalist guide(s) as well as skipper • On board hydrophone • On-site visitor center / museum • Onboard research • Posters / displays / maps • Public participation in research • Reading material available • Restrooms / toilets on board • Scenic backdrop to encounters • Support conservation • Use a code of conduct We frequentlySee leaping dolphins • Watch dolphins only • Watch whales and dolphins Baleen WhalesFin Whale • Humpback Whale • Minke Whale • Sei Whale Ocean DolphinsBottlenose Dolphin • Risso's Dolphin • Short-beaked Common Dolphin PorpoisesHarbour Porpoise Other wildlife and points of interestAs well as cetaceans, our trips focus on grey seals – Cornwall is home to a significant population of these – and during the summer we can see hundreds of basking sharks, ocean sunfish and jellyfish. We encounter a wide range of seabirds from puffins to great skuas. We also stop and hear all about St Michael’s Mount, the Minack Theatre and Land’s End as well as hearing the local stories and legends of pirates and smugglers. AddressShed 5, Albert Pier
Town / CityPenzance
State / CountyCornwall
Zip / PostcodeTR18 2LL
CountryUnited Kingdom
WebsiteTel01736 874907
 Ian Enjoyed by All Traveled: 2014-07-16, Reviewed: 2014-07-15
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
Our group consisted of 12 friends, all over 60 years of age! We all had a thoroughly enjoyable trip and were very impressed with the knowledge and professionalism of Hannah and Duncan and their colleague. We will recommend Marine Disvoveries to all who appreciate wild life and the sea, particulaly those who may be apprehensive of travelling on a wind powered boat! Thank you so much.
Debbie Duke Fantastic 4 hour marine trip Traveled: 2013-08-20, Reviewed: 2013-08-06
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
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Lovely day and weather along with brilliant hosts in Duncan and Hannah Jones who were full of knowledge on all the marine wildlife and telling us all about conservation in the area. We saw sunfish, seals numerous marine birds and to top it all a super pod of dolphins heralding our return by bow riding for 15 minutes! Highly recommend watching the video on their facebook page. Definate bargain for the enjoyment and can't wait to go again. I went with my 15 year old son but can recommend for all ages for shear pleasure and enjoyment.
Nicky Read Great Trip! Traveled: 2013-08-08, Reviewed: 2013-07-31
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
We set out in bright sunshine and fairly calm seas, but the sea being the sea, things quickly changed and we were soon in choppy waters! Hannah and Duncan were great to be out with. Both clearly very knowledgeable and passionate about wildlife. They couldn't have been more helpful - giving out extra layers and ginger biscuits to calm icky tummys, while explaining all about the wildlife we were seeing. Very hard to spot anything in the choppy waters, but whilst sailing back (which in itself was just lovely), we were lucky enough to see a pod of striped dolphins! They didn't stay with us as were busy feeding, but it was fab to see them!
I would highly recommend these guys to go out with for all ages! Our party went from 12 to 71 - all thoroughly enjoyed themselves! We will certainly be going back out with them when we're back down in Cornwall. Paul Tillsley Brilliant trip Traveled: 2013-07-12, Reviewed: 2013-07-05
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
Excellent 3 hour afternoon trip. Harbour Porpoise, Common Dolphin, Sunfish, Grey Seals and a host of sea birds. Good to see the use of sails when possible and very encouraging to see the wildlife doing what it wanted to do without being harassed.
Michael Carey Amazing trip I learned a lot Traveled: 2012-08-20, Reviewed: 2013-02-06
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
I live in Cornwall and went on a trip with Marine Discovery last summer. I loved it so much I told everyone and then was given a voucher for Christmas for another trip this year. I was lucky when I went because I saw porpoises, seals and the best bit was a whale which swam past us a few times. It moved so fast! It helped that the weather was sunny and there was a nice breeze for sailing. Going on sailing boat rather than a motor boat makes this trip different because it means you don't scare the animals away. The guides tell you lots of information about the animals you see, and also the coast you go passed, and I still remember lots of it now e.g. about the porpoises and the fishing nets. It was really good that they didn't chase the animals to make them come closer - actually they explained that if you sit still, you'll probably get better views. I loved it. I can't wait to go again this year.
annelies mullens excellent trip Traveled: 2012-07-20, Reviewed: 2013-01-14
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
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It was our first 'ocean watch'trip ever. I did the trip with my 2 sons (10 and 13 yrs) It really was super! Duncan and Hannah explained a lot about oceanwildlife. Their enviromental impact is very low as they use a catamaran. We saw seals, gannets and even a large pod of common dolphins...We did not expect to see dolphins ! The dolphins kept on following the boat so we were deligthed ! I appreciated it that after a while Duncan decided to sail further to not disturb the dolphins too long: proove that they really care about the dolphins ! They also help with research concerning seals and dolphins. For my sons and i it was a really great experience, that we will never forget ! We will sure come back !
Jenny Responsible, Informative and Great Fun! Traveled: 2011-07-02, Reviewed: 2013-01-14
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
We went out for my 30th birthday on The Ocean Discovery trip and had a brilliant time - the crew were helpful and informative. Everything happened with a smile and we felt safe at all times.
The crew know so much about everything you are seeing you can't help but be as enthusiastic as they are about the wildlife surrounding you! We didn't get to see a Basking Shark as I'd hoped but that's the joy of seeing wildlife in their own element and not in an aquarium! We did get to see seals, sunfish and a variety of seabirds which was amazing. So much fun and a truly great experience I'd recommend to anyone. DRUART A lot to see!! Traveled: 2012-05-20, Reviewed: 2012-09-10
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
This was our second marine wildlife cruise. The first one was in New Zealand by rough sea conditions. This one was totally different. The sea was very calm and we could not sail. We had to use the engine, but it was not a problem to see wildlife.
We spotted 5 porpoises, 3 seals, a basking shark (the reason why we came here ) and plenty of seabirds (gannetts, puffins, seagull, shags, etc.) Duncan and Hannah are very friendly and passionate by their job. You will learn a lot on wildlife and will get various information Cornish coastline. In conclusion, a great activity to do in Cornwall for all those who like wildlife. Xavier and Laure from Belgium Philip Stewart Excellent trip with exceptional hosts Traveled: 2012-07-26, Reviewed: 2012-07-26
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
As with all true wildlife experiences you are at mercy of the animals in their natural habitat. Only the stunning Cornish coastline and natural beauty of the sea are guaranteed. On the trip we took we were fortunate enough to see seals, basking sharks, porpoises, sunfish and a variety of seabirds and having been on a number of similiar experiences in many parts of the world I feel this is really is one of the best. One of the variables you can control is who you go with. Hannah and Duncan are excellent hosts, the passion and euthuaism they bring is infectious and I cannot rate them highly enough. Their catamaran is ideal for purpose and it is an experience myself and my marine loving six year old will never forget.
Abi Unforgettable experience Traveled: 2011-06-09, Reviewed: 2011-09-23
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
This was my first time on a marine discovery trip, have attempted a second time but british weather does just make it impossible a lot! I came off the boat feeling amazing, it was such a brilliant trip and went way above my expectations. Their catamaran offers a fab experience and is a lot less invasive than a speed boat of some sort. Whenever possible we sailed, which was so environmentally friendly, it felt good to be sailing by a island of seals without disturbing them in any way! The stunning scenery and the amazing crew make the whole boat experience enjoyable from the booking to the actual trip, and also reading their Facebook and keeping up to date with all the going ons,
They had so much knowledge, they educated well and no question was ever answered with 'well, um, I think...' every question had a confident and factual answer, which was great as came off the boat knowing everything we wanted to! Seeing various seabirds, seals up close and also a harbour porpoise, and learning everything about these was fantastic but the team added a personal touch to this you could tell this was of personal enjoyment to them and they want to share it with the public, and they do that so well I dont think their is anything they can do better! The exprience is so fulfilling, I will defiantly be back time and time again! Nathan Balls Brilliant Trip around the best coastline in the UK Traveled: 2011-07-11, Reviewed: 2011-09-20
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
This was the second time that we have been on a marine discovery trip. The first was on their old RIB. Their new cat offers a much better experience all round offering a better platform for viewing and is much less invasive to the marine environment.
The combination of the stunning scenery of the Penwith coast and the wide variety of bird and marine wildlife on offer makes for an unbeatable experience. I particulalry like the way that they continue to educate and inform through the regular updates on their web page and facebook page detailing the wildlife encounters that they have each day. The knowledge and enthusiasm of all the staff is infectious and we will definitely be back. 
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