The dolphins are resident so can be seen all year round. Save. But as general rules: You can see I once adopted a Dolphin called Star who lived in the Moray Firth. Scotlands most famous loch by an absolutely massive margin. Book In Advance. Toggle navigation. Loch Ness. 1. However, with every wildlife experience, patience is key. The best time to see whales and dolphins.Bottlenose dolphins are present in the Moray Firth throughout the year although there are more sightings during the summer months as the dolphins spend more time close to the shore feeding on salmon coming in and out of the rivers. The east coast orcas follow the herring fishing fleet south and stay to feed on seal pups, so the best time to see them are from May to August. Scotland Where to see All the favourites in Scotland: Highland cows, puffins, dolphins and more plus top ten lists best beaches, views, walks positively a treasury of information to make your trip a success Buy Now 1.99 Its thought that the Moray Firth bottlenose dolphin population is around 200 making this group the most northerly in the World. A trip to the Highlands also presents an opportunity to catch a glimpse of whales, seals and porpoise. Hear the roar of Can you swim with dolphins in Scotland? Reputable tour companies will stress that, although often friendly, dolphins are still wild animals that should be approached with caution. Providers are keen to ensure the normal routine of Scotlands wildlife is not disrupted. March - October Whale and Dolphin 1. Youll be watching for Whales from community-run spots, rumbling through castles and even walking across a volcanic rock island. Chanonry Point. The ruins of the Urquhart Castle situated on the Loch Ness in Scotland. Final Words. Scotland. Shore Excursions. The Centre is based in an 18 th Century salmon fishing station and has a fascinating history. A view of Fort George from Chanonry Point (A Highland Blend, May 2021) remember that there are four, six hour tidal sequences every day, two rising and two falling (ebbing) making up the twenty four hour day so technically you can have two good opportunities every day for dolphin watching although the tides advance by around forty minutes every day so the actual period (morning, afternoon or evening) for land There are many boat tours that you can take to try Whale Watching Around Isle of Mull. Read More A very informative guide on. Harbour porpoise are also present all year round. Glenfinnan is 100% one of the most beautiful places to visit in Scotland. Dolphinwatch aimed to engage locals, and visitors to Aberdeen, with the amazing marine wildlife on their doorstep, in particular the iconic bottlenose dolphins, while inspiring them to take action to help protect the marine environment. The Whale Watching in Scotland itinerary strives to connect people and nature whilst supporting the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. However, as with everything to do with where to see dolphins in Scotland, it isnt that simple and predictable. And for a finally to the best month to visit Scotland, lets talk about the sealife! Best places to see Dolphins in Scotland. The survey, conducted every summer by volunteers for the Sea Watch Foundation, records the number of whale and dolphin sightings across the UK. One of the best, easiest, and most convenient ways to book dolphin cruise tickets, however, is online. This means if you know tide times for a particular day, you can work out the best time to see dolphins at Chanonry Point. Iona and Staffa National Nature Reserve, Argyll & The Isles. menu. 1-866-821-6866 . By Uopera tours. Westray, Orkney, Scotland. Wildlife is best viewed at a safe distance to prevent any disturbance to habitats and to This guide names some of the best dolphin spotting locations along the Moray Firth Coast to try and spot them but if you dont see them youll find some wonderful fishing villages, places and beaches. Our local area is one of the best areas in Scotland for porpoise and we see them on the vast majority of summer trips. Hebrides, Scotland. 13. In particular, the cliffs near Portree offer some the most reliable sightings. Our passionate staff and volunteers will be on hand to tell you more and answer any questions. which is the best time to spot them. There's a single resident pod of orcas in the UK (Image: Getty Images/National Geographic). Cultural You can see dolphins in Namibias Walvis Bay pretty much all year round, Dolphin watching in Scotland takes time, patience, and an awful lot of luck and local knowhow. Dolphins are very intelligent and playful creatures they are always fascinating and engaging to watch! Look out across the firth just as the tide starts to rise, and you are highly likely to spot dolphins as they swim in-land to feed. Visit the Black Isle, just across the Moray Firth from Inverness, to experience one of the best places in Europe to shore watch dolphins. remember that there are four, six hour tidal sequences every day, two rising and two falling (ebbing) making up the twenty four hour day so technically you can have two good opportunities every day for dolphin watching although the tides advance by around forty minutes every day so the actual period (morning, afternoon or evening) for land This is a peninsula jutting into the Moray Firth is one of the best places in Scotland to see dolphins. Many species of dolphins and whales visit the island during different seasons. The Moray Firth provides plenty of food for the dolphins, including salmon during the summer months. BEST TIME. Shetland, Scotland. Scotland is a wildlife watchers dream: from the Highlands and islands to the waters of the Moray Firth, we round up the best places to catch the countrys big ten. Through this list you will discover when and where you can find puffins in the UK, and the best approach for ensuring a successful pilgrimage. The best time to see dolphins in Scotland is the summertime from the end of May until September, though dolphins are here throughout the year. Bluebells carpet the walking trails in Entry The best time to see dolphins is from around one hour after low tide. Loch Gairloch - Wester Ross, Scotland. One of the best things to do on the Isle of Skye is to enjoy a tour of the Castle and visit the beautiful gardens, delighting in the beauty of the Walled, Round and Water gardens, as The Centre is based in an 18 th Century salmon fishing station and has a fascinating history. Isle of South Uist. 10. However, as they are wild animals, we cannot Honest, easy to read advice on the best time to watch dolphins and what species to see at different times of year. 1. Britains biggest resident population of dolphins lives in Cardigan Bay. From minke whales, to The photo above shows people standing on the shore watching a young dolphin breaching only a few metres away at possibly THE most famous place in the UK for land-based dolphin watching Chanonry Point on the Black Isle near Inverness. Scotland holds the most northerly resident populations of bottlenose dolphins in the world. Chanonry Point - Black Isle, Scotland. The marine wildlife around Mull is second to none. There are few places left on earth, where you can experience unspoiled nature and 376.40. Probably the most famous area in Scotland for seeing dolphins is the Moray Firth, from Fraserburgh to Inverness, where theres a resident population of around 130 bottlenose dolphins. Honest, easy to read advice on the best time to watch dolphins and what species to see at different times of year. 2. Highlight of your trip to Invergordon Dolphin spotting in the Moray Firth. Whether you witness the sight of just a fin or a full breach, there are many locations throughout Scotland to see any one of the estimated 300 or The best time to see minke whales in Scotland is from the end of May to September. Chanonry Point is one of the best places in the country to see dolphins (Image: Getty) This triangular inlet on the north east coast, is Whales are seen as one of the best things to see in Scotland. Toggle navigation. They can be seen throughout the year, although they may be more visible in the spring and summer when the sea is calm. Call toll free. The cliffs around Skye being widely known as the best place to see these large birds in the wild. Or head to Fort George, just across the water, for an entirely unique perspective from 18th century fortress. Similar to the North of Scotland mainland, Dolphins in the Outer Hebrides are best seen during Spring and Summer months but chances are that Summer is the greatest time to see Dolphins because the water should be at its warmest. This peninsula is one of the best places in Scotland to see dolphins. The photo above was taken from the shore at Chanonry Point, near Rosemarkie in the Black Isle. Moray Firth, Scotland. This trip is for all ages, and youll learn first hand from the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust all about whale watching & the Hebridean Whale Trail. menu. However, with every wildlife experience, patience is key. Here we bring you a guide to walking in each of the Scottish seasons, and some top tips of the best times to see Scottish wildlife. Not only can you go to the Glenfinnan Viaduct and catch a view of the Harry Potter train coming across The Shetland Islands and the Orkney Islands provide whale watching opportunities, whereas Moray Firth is renowned for bottlenose dolphin population. from. Its thought that the Moray Firth bottlenose dolphin You can see The best time to see dolphins is 1-2 hours before high tide. The best place to see the dolphins mucking around are Chanonry There is a link to tide predictions for nearby Rosemarkie in the Visitor Information section of this page. 2. Top class boat trip from Inverness Harbour with excellent, welcoming, and professional staff. It helps provide more than 200 full time equivalent jobs in the Moray Firth. Dolphins at Chanonry Point can be seen at anytime (and not at all!) Bottlenose Dolphin - Polochar. To sum up, Chanonry Point, Spey Bay and Inverness up in the north of Scotland are our top recommendations for spotting Scottish dolphins, with Chanonry Point the far and away winner. Nature Adventures. As some dolphins are residents around Scottish shores you can see them all-year-round however, as they prefer the calmer and sunnier sea conditions associated with spring and summer, the best time to see dolphins in Scotland is usually from May to September. To increase your chances of a sighting, the best time to visit is between May and September, although the whales are present all year round. Dolphin and Whale Watching in Mull. These include rarities such as the pygmy sperm There are around 200 bottlenoses in eastern Scotland, with The Isle of Mull is a wildlife haven, home to many species of birds, sea life and mammals. 10 Scotland is a hotspot for catching a glimpse of marine mammals, according to the results of the 2017 National Whale and Dolphin Watch. It takes the dolphins about 2 hours to get from Cullen to Aberdeen, tracked by the Friends of However the peak season is quite short and runs from May to June. RED squirrels in Scotland can be an elusive bunch, but autumn is the best time to see them. 1. Since 1980, no fewer than 18 species of whale, dolphin and porpoise have been recorded around Shetland. Best time of the day to see dolphins are in the low tide time in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Its widely thought sightings are more likely from one hour after low tide. For more detail read on in our best place to watch Charleston Harbor. The best time to see Take a boat trip to see dolphins and whales close up. Legendary Tour of the Black Isle from Inverness or Invergordon. The triangular inlet of the Moray Firth on the northeast coast makes for one of the best places in Scotland to spot dolphins and Scotland is a wildlife watchers dream: from the Highlands and islands to the waters of the Moray Firth, we round up the best places to catch the countrys big ten. The Moray Firth, Scotland. That said, with time, patience and effort theres a reasonable chance of seeing the Moray Firth Dolphins but allow for a few visits. Glenfinnan. You might see them very close to where you stand on the shoreline. The Wharf Marina in Orange Beach, AL. If you stand close to the shoreline, expect to move back regularly as the tide comes in! This is probably one of the best areas to go whale and dolphin watching in the UK as it has a high success rate. Address. Tourism as a result of the bottlenose dolphins has been estimated to be at least 4 million per year. According to the experts, the best season to spot whales around Mull and the Inner Hebrides is between mid June and late September, and Take a boat trip and see Whales, Dolphins, Seals, Puffins, Gannets, Sea Eagles. That depends on what good weather means to you. Entry to the Scottish Dolphin Centre is FREE. The nature reserve also offers many other wildlife viewing opportunities, including otters, common seals, roe deer, and a wealth of birdlife. Murrells Inlet MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet, SC. The Isle of Skye in Scotland is a great place to see Wildlife. Local wisdom says the resident dolphins come here to fish on a rising tide so, obviously, thats the best time to see them. Scotland is an The Scottish Dolphin Centre is open every day during from the beginning of April to the end of October. Best time to see wildlife in Scotland Scotlands seas in summer are alive with plankton attracting vast shoals of mackerel and herring, as well as larger predators such as whales, seals, dolphins and basking sharks. Its also Ranging from the cabbage palm-topped beaches of Cornwall in the south to the craggy tors of Scotland in the north, the Scottish Sea life is spectacular when you visit Scotland in May . The landward If you want the highest temperatures, the summer months are your best option. The Isle of Mull in the west is also known for having quite dolphin-rich waters. Orcas - also known as killer whales are actually a species of dolphin. 4 hours. Walking in Scotland in Spring.