Name: Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt
Rating: 5.0

Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt

Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt, Rinemackaderrig, Carrigaholt, Clare, Ireland

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt offers guided dolphin watching boat trips from Castle Pier in Carrigaholt, County Clare. Led by marine biologist Mary Kate and her experienced crew, each trip explores the mouth of the River Shannon in search of Ireland’s resident bottlenose dolphins. It is a wildlife-focused experience set within a Special Area of Conservation along Ireland’s rugged Atlantic coast.

The tour takes guests along the Shannon Estuary towards the Atlantic Ocean, where dolphins are often seen in family groups. Visitors may also spot grey seals, minke whales, humpback whales (seasonal), feral goats on Rehy Hill, and a wide range of seabirds including guillemots, gannets, razorbills, shearwaters, terns, fulmars, kittiwakes, cormorants, and shags. Onboard facilities include a small café serving organic and fair-trade drinks, recyclable cups, and a toilet on the vessel.

Ticket prices are €50 for Adults and €35 for Children (up to 14 years).

Overall, Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt provides an educational and memorable wildlife adventure on the waters of the Shannon Estuary. With expert guidance and a strong focus on conservation, it offers a respectful way to observe dolphins and marine life in their natural habitat. It is an ideal experience for nature lovers, families, and anyone wanting to explore Ireland’s coastal wildlife.

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Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

The Wildlife

Flocks of oceanic seabirds, such as, guillemots, gannets, razorbills, shearwaters and terns are seasonal visitors due to the large shoals of herrings, sprat and mackerel that follow the tidal currents into the Estuary.
The herd of feral goats that live on Rehy Hill are another favourite sight as we cruise by their cliff side sunning spots. They share this wild hill with birds of prey, foxes, badgers, stoats, ravens and choughs, the rarest member of the European crow family.
Grey seals often pop up in front of caves and storm beaches. They give birth in late summer and we are privileged to witness the rapid growth of the pups from the boat.
Cormorants, shags, gulls, fulmars and others are familiar sights along the cliffs and shoreline. Cormorants and shags can be seen with wings outspread as they dry their feathers in the sun after diving for crab or small fish.
Guillemots, Raorbills, Fulmars and Kittiwakes nest along the coast on rugged ledges. During the season, we watch the progression from nest building to fledging to fishing lessons in this remarkable habitat.
Loop Head is one of the most excellent venues for whale sightings in late summer, early autumn. The most common species seen are Minke Whales. Humpback whales are becoming more prevalent around our coast in recent years.

Facilities

Food & Drinks: We have a small café on board serving hot drinks & tap water. All our drinks and snacks are organic and fair trade. The drinks containers are recyclable or compostable. You are also more than welcome to bring your own refreshments on board with you. If you require water while out on the trip, we serve it from glass bottles into recyclable paper cups.
Toilets: There is a toilet (or "head") on the boat. There are no public restrooms in Carrigaholt -- the nearest are in Kilkee. So, be sure to "go" before you arrive at the pier if possible.