What’s your ideal way to spend a sunny afternoon? For many of our volunteers and Ocean Conservationists, the answer is simple: sitting outside, watching whales and dolphins.
But what if it’s a rainy, windy morning? Maybe the latest David Attenborough documentary seems more appealing.
Now, what if you’re on a ship headed for the Bay of Biscay? Do you brave the wind and rain in search of whales and dolphins?
For our Ocean Conservationists, the answer is nearly always yes. For guests, sometimes an inviting cup of tea wins out - unless, of course, you’re on Noble Caledonia’s “Whales, Dolphins and Seabirds” itinerary. Then, what might have been a day of standing in the rain hoping for a glimpse of a blow turns into a shared adventure: a community of dedicated wildlife watchers, all out on deck, braving the elements together.
Despite an incoming storm, the MS Hebridean Sky found herself surrounded by a bustling team of wildlife watchers. A small sheltered area became a haven for nature lovers. Ocean Conservationists and guests collected data using the ORCA OceanWatchers app, knowing that every minute of effort helps protect whales and dolphins. Between sightings of fin whales, common and striped dolphins, shearwaters glided effortlessly above the waves, seemingly unfazed by the storm.
Noble Caledonia’s ships are always filled with experts - expedition teams ready to share knowledge on seabirds, photography, and more - but that week, the learning was mutual. The dedicated group of guests proved to be a treasure trove of knowledge and experience. Birders guided cetacean enthusiasts through the stages of a gannet’s plumage, while dolphin lovers shared the subtle differences between a graceful common dolphin breach and a striped dolphin belly-flop.
Come rain or shine, wildlife lovers like the guests onboard the Hebridean Sky search tirelessly for whales and dolphins. And sometimes, dedication is rewarded: like a brief moment of calm along the Portuguese coast, giving way to row after row of bow-riding dolphins.
For ORCA, these encounters strengthen our commitment to our vision of “oceans alive with whales and dolphins.” Every minute of data collected contributes to vital monitoring work around the world. We are incredibly grateful to our friends at Noble Caledonia and to their guests - not only for their generosity of time and knowledge during the recent Bay of Biscay(ish) itinerary but also for their incredible donation of £10,000, which will help us continue this important work through Biscay and beyond.
Though the weather is unpredictable, our love of whales and dolphins is not. It drives us to stand outside for hours, waiting for a single whale blow. It keeps us saying, “just five more minutes,” until a bow-riding dolphin finally appears.
It is the love of wildlife, the thrill of the unexpected, and the fleeting magic of a moment that keeps us watching - rain or shine, storm or calm.
ORCA believe that everyone who cares about whales and dolphins can play an active role in safeguarding their future, and that's why we've designed our e-learning courses to give more people than ever before the chance to contribute to our research. Whether it's learning to spot and identify different species or using our fantastic OceanWatchers, we have the perfect way for you to start your conservation journey and learn about the role you can play in helping us understand and protect whales, dolphins and porpoises around the world. Click the button below to find out more and book your place today!