Last week saw the final ORCA Sea Safari of 2024 depart from Plymouth for a trip across the Bay of Biscay in search of whales and dolphins! From June to September ORCA Wildlife Guides have been on board the Brittany Ferries Pont-Aven and Galicia for nine return sailings (from Plmyouth to Santander on the Pont-Aven and Rosslare to Bilbao on Galicia) showing over 360 Sea Safari guests the incredible wildlife of the Bay of Biscay. The Bay is a world hotspot for marine wildlife, with the chance to see over one-third of the world’s whale and dolphin species. ORCA has been surveying for whales and dolphins in the area for many years, and the ORCA Wildlife Guides on board this year's Sea Safaris couldn’t wait to get out to sea to share their knowledge, and help guests spot and identify the wildlife they saw.
This year's Sea Safaris all began with ORCA Wildlife Guides and guests gathering on board for a presentation about the whales and dolphins they were most likely to see during the trip, delivered by ORCA’s on board Ocean Conservationist. Then it was out on deck for an evening wildlife watch until sunset.
Common dolphins were seen in the English Channel during the first evening of the trip for every crossing this year. Harbour porpoise were also recorded in the coastal areas near Plymouth and when approaching the north coast of France on a number of this year's Sea Safaris. During the August Sea Safaris, an added bonus of low pressures from the Atlantic prior to sailing provided sightings of large numbers of seabirds such as Manx, Cory’s and great shearwaters - a real treat for any keen birders! ORCA Wildlife Guides and guests were also treated to some fabulous sea conditions and sunsets.
The second day of this year's Sea Safaris started with a deck watch at sunrise, and everyone was always keen to get outside and start looking for wildlife in the Bay of Biscay. During the 7th-9th August trip the early start really paid off for ORCA Wildlife Guides and guests as they recorded a large number of common dolphins, striped dolphins and the blows of fin whales. A highlight was this fin whale who surfaced a few hundred metres from the ship with a calf!
Sailing through the Bay of Biscay gave ORCA Wildlife Guides and guests an opportunity to see different species to those recorded in the English Channel. Large pods of pilot whales were seen during both of the August Sea Safaris, and elusive beaked whales were seen on the trips in June, July and August. The Cuvier’s beaked whale is regularly recorded in the deep waters of the Bay, particularly around the deep underwater canyons along the coast of northern Spain. Cuvier’s beaked whales were the most frequently recorded beaked whale species during this year's Sea Safaris and were often seen surfacing close to the ship and occasionally breaching vertically out of the water!
A quick stop in Santander gave ORCA Wildlife Guides and guests a few hours to explore, just enough time for a bit of sightseeing and an ice cream. The ship docks in the centre of Santander within walking distance of a number of restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as a lovely park where hummingbird hawk moths were regularly seen - a great opportunity for everyone to practice their photography skills!
Once back on board, it was time for an evening deck watch and the start of the return journey back to Plymouth. The final day of the Sea Safaris this year took ORCA Wildlife Guides and guests back through the English Channel. Huge feeding frenzies of common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, tuna and minke whales were regularly seen during this time.
A highlight of the Sea Safaris in June and July were large pods of bottlenose dolphins seen in the English Channel on the final approach to Plymouth. The pods of up to 50 bottlenose dolphins were attracted to the ship, bow riding and playing in the ship's wake - a real treat for ORCA Wildlife Guides and guests!
The map below shows all of the ORCA marine wildlife sightings during the 2024 Sea Safaris on board the Pont-Aven sailing from Plymouth to Santander. Ten different species of whale, dolphin and porpoise were recorded this year, with common dolphins being the most frequently sighted species. A total of 1630 individual animals were seen during the trips!
A massive thank you to all of this year’s Sea Safari Wildlife Guides and guests who made all of these trips so memorable! Information about the 2025 Sea Safaris will be available in the coming months, keep an eye on our website for more details.
Our 2024 Sea Safari season may be over, but we are already working hard to plan for 2025 and make it an even bigger year of watching whales and dolphins in the Bay of Biscay. If you want to join us for a whale and dolphin adventure right on your doorstep, be sure to register your interest below and be one of the first to hear when our 2025 dates go on sale!