Sussex Dolphin Project

17/06/2026

🔆What's On this weekend 🔆

Join SDP to learn how to survey for marine mammals off the coast of Sussex, helping us to create a picture of the distribution of these iconic animals along our coast. Land watch surveys are a great excuse to head down to the sea, and once trained, you can either volunteer on your own when it suits you, or join our group land watch sessions along the coast 🐬

We have two land watch training sessions this week!
Friday 19th June at 6pm in Southwick
Saturday 20th June at 2pm in Eastbourne

Head to the Training and Events page on our website to book 🔗
https://sussexdolphinproject.org/home-page/events/

We still have availability on our Brighton Sunset Wildlife cruises, where you'll be joined by one of our wildlife guides. You will experience Brighton from the water, passing both piers, and relax whilst watching the sunset. We have multiple trips running throughout the summer, with our next one being this weekend on Sunday 21st June. 🌅

To book your space, Head to the boat trips page on our website 🔗
https://sussexdolphinproject.org/sunset-wildlife-cruise/

These are not dolphin-watching trips, and sightings this close to shore are not guaranteed, but our volunteers will be on the lookout for any marine mammal sightings. 🛥

13/06/2026

13/06/2026

🌊 Join us for a trip out to Beachy Head this Sunday 14th June at 9am!! The forecast is looking gorgeous!

🎫 Spaces are limited for this trip! To book your space,
click the link below ⤵
https://sussexdolphinproject.org/beachy-head/

🚤You will be joined by a Sussex Dolphin Project wildlife guide, heading out along Seaford Bay, stopping to watch seabird colonies at Splash Point and enjoy views of the iconic Seven Sisters cliffs from a different perspective.

🌊We will then continue to Beachy Head to see the
famous lighthouse before heading out to sea for one
of the most beautiful views in Sussex.

🐬These are not dolphin-watching trips, and sightings this close to shore are not guaranteed, but our volunteers
will be on the lookout for any marine mammal sightings.

11/06/2026

What The Water Gave Us

Join in as the Sussex Dolphin Project team survey for marine mammals on Brighton Seafront during a land watch. You will get the chance to ask our research team any questions you may have and look for any signs of dolphins. This is a part of What The Water Gave Us, an exhibition by Laura Callaghan.

🗓 Friday 12 June 2026
⏰ 3pm–5pm
📍 Fishing Quarter Gallery, Brighton Seafront

This event is free and open to everyone.

11/06/2026

Did you know chemicals found in everyday kitchen products could be harming marine species? 🐬

Recent research from the University of Portsmouth and the Marine Conservation Society found toxic ‘forever chemicals’ (PFAS) throughout the Solent food web - an area many marine species call home.

These chemicals are found in everyday kitchen products such as non-stick pans and waterproof clothing, and once they enter the environment, they are virtually impossible to remove. Instead, they build up in animals over time through a process called bioaccumulation.

Marine mammals are especially vulnerable because they sit at the top of the food chain. As pollutants move from prey to predator, their concentrations increase - a process known as biomagnification. The study found harbour porpoises had particularly high PFAS levels in their liver tissue, exceeding ecological safety thresholds.

PFAS have been linked to hormone disruption and reproductive impacts in wildlife, raising concerns for vulnerable marine mammal populations, including our local South Coast Pod, where very few calves have been seen in recent years.

At Sussex Dolphin Project, we’re especially concerned because our dolphins live in busy shipping lanes and coastal waters exposed to sewage discharges and chemical runoff, increasing their risk of long-term contaminant exposure. Monitoring these chemicals in marine mammals is crucial, because species like dolphins and porpoises act as bioindicators - helping us understand the health of our seas.

This is the first post in a new monthly series where we’ll break down recent marine research and explain what it means for local wildlife, and why protecting our oceans matters. 💙

10/06/2026

🌊 Join us for a trip out to Beachy Head this Sunday 14th June at 8:30am

Spaces are limited for this trip! To book your space,
click the link in our bio or below ⤵
https://sussexdolphinproject.org/beachy-head/

You will be joined by a Sussex Dolphin Project wildlife
guide, heading out along Seaford Bay, stopping to
watch seabird colonies at Splash Point and enjoy views of the
iconic Seven Sisters cliffs from a different perspective.
We will then continue to Beachy Head to see the
famous lighthouse before heading out to sea for one
of the most beautiful views in Sussex.

These are not dolphin-watching trips, and sightings this
close to shore are not guaranteed, but our volunteers
will be on the lookout for any marine mammal sightings.
🐬

29/05/2026

🚨The Sussex Dolphin Project team were sad to witness a prime example of how not to interact with dolphins this morning.

Our team were excited to head down to Southwick beach as dolphins were reported moving along the coast by our amazing landwatch volunteers.

The team witnessed some lovely feeding behaviour just off the new Southwick reef at Shoreham Port before a small boat sadly headed straight towards the middle of the feeding pod, disrupting the feeding and causing the dolphins to move away. This has been reported.

❌Interactions like this directly impact the survivability of dolphins in our local area, as this pod was disturbed from feeding and subsequently followed by three small boats as they tried to get away.

Whilst we totally understand wanting to get close to the dolphins, we would like to remind boat users that it is illegal to disturb marine mammals under the wildlife and countryside act, and urge boat users to consider the impacts of their behaviour on the animals.

👉Members of the public can report instances of disturbance to the MMO if you can get the boat name, and/or report to ourselves at www.sussexdolphinproject.org

Please respect the wildlife off our coastline, let's keep Sussex a safe space for cetaceans.

🐬Read more about our dolphin interaction guidelines: https://sussexdolphinproject.org/marine-mammal-guidelines/

27/05/2026

Enjoying the warm weather? Why not join us on the water for our Beachy Head Trip departing Newhaven this weekend, Saturday 30th May at 16:30 🌊

You can book your place using the link below:
https://sussexdolphinproject.org/beachy-head/

You will be joined by a Sussex Dolphin Project wildlife guide, heading out along Seaford Bay, stopping to watch seabird colonies at Splash Point, learn about the history of Cuckmere Haven and enjoy views of the iconic Seven Sisters cliffs from a different perspective. We will then continue to Beachy Head to see the famous lighthouses before heading out to sea for one of the most beautiful views in Sussex.

These are not dolphin-watching trips, and sightings this close to shore are not guaranteed, but our volunteers will be on the lookout for any marine mammal sightings. 🐬

25/05/2026

🚨Bottlenose Dolphins spotted between Lancing and Worthing!

🚤 Last month, a pod of 8 bottlenose dolphins were spotted around 1 mile offshore between Lancing and Worthing.

🐬The sighting was reported by our friend Ben South, who captured an incredible encounter with the dolphins as they travelled through the area.

👏Huge thanks to Ben and everyone who reports their sightings to us. Every report helps build a clearer picture of how dolphins, porpoises, and whales are using Sussex waters, supporting our ongoing research and conservation work.

🐋If you see dolphins, porpoises, or whales anywhere along the Sussex coastline, please report your sighting using our sightings form, and be part of our project. 🔗 https://sussexdolphinproject.org/report-a-dolphin-sighting/

21/05/2026

🌞 The forecast for this weekend is looking AMAZING! 🌊🐬

With the weather warming up and dolphins recently spotted in Worthing, the team can’t wait to get back out on the water this weekend!

We still have a few tickets available for our Saturday & Sunday trips departing from Brighton. Book via our website and come join us for an unforgettable day at sea! 💙
www.sussexdolphinproject.org/sunset-wildlife-cruise/