Waving Goodbye to the North Sea

As our season on the wild and windswept North Sea draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on everything we’ve witnessed and shared over the past seven months.

When we first boarded King Seaways, we weren’t entirely sure what awaited us. “We” being Farhana from Malaysia and Tyler from Australia, left our sun-soaked homes with bags full of jumpers and unshakable excitement for the journey ahead, and what a journey it’s been.

Farhana's favourite memory is her first sighting because she worked hard to get it! In the early weeks, encounters were rare, but after two weeks of patient surveying, her diligence paid off and six white-beaked dolphins burst from the water, leaping in perfect rhythm as if performing an aquatic ballet just for us.

Tyler’s most treasured moment came on a rough August day. The North Sea had unleashed its full temper: torrential rain and howling winds that made whale watching feel like an act of defiance rather than leisure. Trusting her gut, she persevered with five hardy passengers, and we were rewarded! A mother Minke whale and her calf suddenly broke the surface playing in the storm-lashed water, followed by two more Minkes breaching through the waves, joining the spectacle. The unrestrained joy as we screamed and jumped was electric. Just when we thought the show was over, a pod of 50 white-beaked dolphins zigzagged through the swells in a breath-taking finale.

Aboard Princess Seaways with Caitlyn from New Zealand and Arianna from Italy, we also crossed oceans to see the Minke whales that often stole the show. These moments were breath-taking throughout the summer. These whales migrate to the North Sea in summer to feed. One day in July, we witnessed a true National Geographic scene: seven Minke whales engaged in a feeding frenzy. One even lunge-fed at the surface! No one on the deck knew where to look - whales were everywhere! Then, on a stormy August day, our hopes were low...suddenly, three Minke whales breached in succession, sending huge splashes into the air, leaving everyone open-mouthed. Other special encounters included our very first Harbour Porpoises. They were so tiny they almost looked like fish leaping from the water.

Yet, as unforgettable as these encounters were, the magic of this season has also been in the people we’ve shared them with. It’s impossible to replicate the sparkle in someone’s eyes when they witness their first cetacean! Time and again, passengers expressed their surprised amazement at the richness of life in the North Sea, realising how much biodiversity there is here.

Our Ocean Pledge Wall became a living tapestry of hope and determination. From the scribbles of a two-year-old to the promises of a seventy-something ocean lover, each pledge was a reminder of how deeply people care. Together, these commitments created something beautiful: a shared purpose, a spark of camaraderie, and a collective belief that we can make a difference when we act together. Seeing the determination of teenagers dreaming of becoming marine biologists, or the wonder in a child’s eyes as they learn about whales and dolphins, were some of our greatest joys as Ocean Conservationists.

In a world often clouded by uncertainty about our planet’s future, these moments are beacons of hope and are the reason we share our work. They show us that change doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens through passion, persistence, and the ripple effect of ordinary people choosing to care. When people experience and enjoy wildlife, they’re far more likely to protect it. That’s why here at ORCA, we share the wonders of the North Sea every single day. This season, the ocean has continued to surprise and inspire us, reminding us exactly why we must keep our eyes on the waves.