Dolphins and Whales in the UK

When people think of watching whales and dolphins they imagine them in tropical waters or the cold of the artic, not many picture them swimming past our very own coastline yet the UK's waters are teaming with a whole variety of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises.

It shouldn't be surprising really that the UK plays host to these wondrous animals. As an island nation we are surrounded by water with over 9,000 miles of coastline overlooking the Atlantic Sea, Irish Sea, the English Channel and the North Sea.

Many species of whales and dolphins can be seen easily from land while others can be viewed from special whale watching boats which set sail from many different locations across the UK. Some of the species seen easily from land or boat include the Minke Whale, Harbour Porpoise and Bottlenose Dolphin. Others such as the Long-finned Pilot Whale, White-beaked Dolphin are viewed at only certain times of the year and appear at specific locations. There are also some rarer species which could appear almost anywhere though they are unfortunately much less common, these include the Humpback Whale, Fin Whale and Sperm Whale. One of the most famous, popular and deadly whale can also be seen along our shores. The Legendary Killer Whale is truly a sight to be hold, especially when hunting its latest victim.

The easiest way to spot dolphins and whales is to take a dedicated whale and dolphin watch trip. These trips take place across the UK, so why not head out into the English Channel to see common dolphins leaping out of the water or sail out from the Shetland Islands and see Killer Whales on the hunt. Another benefit of these organized trips are the knowledgeable guides who can both entertain and inform you on the wonders of what happens off our coastline.

If you would rather keep two feet on dry land then there are a number of spots right around the coastline where you can sit back, relax and watch the seas most graceful creatures swim and play before your very eyes.

This article was written on behalf of Celtic Haven Wales Holiday Cottage, ideal accommodation for a Pembrokeshire Cottage Holiday