The first week of July marked an exciting start to ORCA’s 2026 Sea Safari season, with a group of dedicated ORCA Wildlife Guides and enthusiastic guests departing from Plymouth aboard Brittany Ferries’ ship, the Pont-Aven. The trips cross the English Channel into the world‑renowned Bay of Biscay, one of the top five places in the world to see whales and dolphins.
With chances to encounter fin whales, acrobatic pods of dolphins, and even elusive beaked whales, our Sea Safaris run throughout the summer. Every trip offers something new, creating unforgettable experiences for guests and ORCA Wildlife Guides alike.
The Bay of Biscay is an important migration corridor and rich feeding ground for many species. Throughout the journey, ORCA Wildlife Guides are on deck helping guests spot wildlife, understand behaviours, and learn more about the incredible animals that call these waters home.
The first Sea Safari of the season departed from Plymouth on the 8th July, and it certainly set the bar high. Across the trip, 379 animals were sighted, including fin whales; common and striped dolphins putting on energetic displays; and 30 individual beaked whales, with a breaching Cuvier’s beaked whale stealing the show!
ORCA Wildlife Guide, Stuart, shares his reflections from the Sea Safari:
“It was great to see a full-house of eighty-two excited guests gathering in the waiting area at the Brittany Ferries Plymouth terminal on a hot day. The nine ORCA Wildlife Guides spent time welcoming and getting to know them prior to boarding, and it was soon apparent there were some familiar faces from previous Sea Safaris, some ORCA Marine Mammal Surveyors, as well as a new cohort of guests.”
With seals spotted by the breakwater and a harbour porpoise soon after departure, anticipation grew quickly. As the ship approached the French coast, guests enjoyed sightings of common dolphins, ocean sunfish, feeding tuna, and spectacular gannet diving displays, all under a glowing sunset.
Early risers the following morning were rewarded with sightings of Cuvier’s beaked whales, common and striped dolphins, and the first fin whales of the trip. Stuart described one of the most memorable moments:
“Esther, the on-board ORCA Ocean Conservationist, had just brought a group of passengers up to join us on deck 10 when cries of delight rang out across the starboard side as a Cuvier’s beaked whale breached spectacularly close to the ship, an unforgettable sighting for everyone!”
Sea Safari guest, Stephen Money, captured some incredible photos of the breaching Cuvier’s beaked whale and said, “This gave me goosebumps! Definitely a highlight of my life to see this magnificent animal.”
During the short turnaround in Santander some guests disembarked for a quick ice cream, whilst others stayed on board for a bird watching session with ORCA Wildlife Guides out on deck. The wildlife continued to impress on the return journey from Santander back to Plymouth, with sightings of more beaked whales and Risso’s dolphins. A beautiful encounter with two fin whales at sunset brought the day to a perfect close.
On the final day of the trip, ORCA Wildlife Guides and guests were up for another spectacular sunrise, and enjoyed regular sightings of common dolphins all the way back to Plymouth.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned wildlife enthusiast, ORCA’s Sea Safaris are designed for all. Our Wildlife Guides deliver mini‑presentations on deck, answer questions, and help guests spot and understand the incredible wildlife encountered along the way. We can’t wait to hear about what our Wildlife Guides and guests spot during our August Sea Safaris!