Hey everyone! I’m Tyler, the ORCA Ocean Conservationist onboard DFDS this season, here to show you the wild wonders of the North Sea! I’m from Australia and yes - I’ve swapped sun-soaked shores for the wind-whipped waters of the North Sea, and I promise, it’s not as mad as it sounds.
Passengers often ask why I came all the way here to watch whales in what they assume is a lifeless sea. The North Sea has a reputation for heavy fishing and dense shipping lanes; not exactly what comes to mind when you think of whale watching. But let me tell you: this underwater world surprises and captivates us every time it decides to say hi. From bustling pods of dolphins to shy porpoises shielding their calves and the occasional cheeky minke whale surfacing; these residents have called the North Sea home long before we made our mark on it. And that’s why I’m here: to help passengers catch a glimpse of these amazing animals and better understand their world.
So let's meet some of our North Sea Neighbours!
The harbour porpoise
These guys are the introverts of cetaceans. They are the only porpoise in the East Atlantic region but they are definitely our most popular species. Given their shy nature they can be hard to spot, but with a bit of patience (and a good pair of binoculars) you might see them surface quietly barely making a splash. On one calm, sunlit afternoon (the kind of glassy sea day we dream about) we were treated to an unbelievable sight - 76 porpoises counted in just 3 hours! A mix of mothers with calves and small groups rippling through the water. It's moments like these that remind us just how alive this sea truly is.
White beaked dolphins
In contrast to the harbour purpose, these are the life of the party! Bursting through the waves in high-energy pods, white-beaked dolphins are fast, flashy, and frankly, fabulous. They are cold water specialists and love the productive waters around Scotland all the way down the east coast of England. Contrary to their name they don’t always have a white beak…but we can also ID them with their beautiful white blaze across their flank. Weighing up to 350 kg so when they show up to splash - you know about it!
Minke Whale
And of course, the minke whale — our gentle giant and a crowd favourite. Reaching 7–10 metres, they’re the smallest of the baleen whales but still the largest regular visitor here. Sleek and powerful, they’re often identified by the white “armbands” on their pectoral fins. While we haven’t seen one yet this season, ORCA’s previous data shows they tend to arrive a little later in summer. Fingers crossed they’ll grace us soon!
My favourite part of this job is the unexpected joy of the passengers' faces when I teach them about our whales and dolphins and what we can see. It’s amazing to see how wide-eyed they become. Whether you’ve loved these animals since childhood or you’re learning about them for the first time, what I love about working with ORCA is that we believe anyone can get involved and make a real difference. How empowering!!
So, if you're crossing the North Sea with DFDS, come find me on deck. I’ll be the one wrapped in five layers, binoculars in hand, and grinning from ear to ear. Let’s see what we can find together. I’m incredibly excited for what the rest of the season holds — more data, more sightings, and many more conversations with curious passengers. Sometimes it takes a bit of patience to spot these animals - but that’s what I’m here for!
The only way we can protect whales and dolphins is by understanding their distribution, and so monitoring is vital for effective conservation. Donate today to help ORCA continue to identify and study important whale hotspots around the world