AK Wildlife Cruises Falmouth

AK Wildlife Cruises Falmouth Our 4 hour or longer wildlife cruises are a wonderful way to see this spectacular coastline where anything can be seen. Small parking fees apply at the marina.

Multi-award winning wildlife cruises and cutting-edge marine research 🧬
🥇Best Boat Trip in the UK (The Times)
🌊 26 years in operation
⛴️ Unrivalled experience and local knowledge
🐬 We are Wildlife Safe Masters
🐋 Finest sightings in the South West! Groups discounts of eight or more are available and prices for these dedicated wildlife cruises are available on request . Please email info@akwildlif

ecruises.co.uk for more information. From Easter through to October, two sailings a day.

4 hour morning trip.
3 hour afternoon trip. Prices for our different cruises can be found on our website. PRIVATE HIRE | WILDLIFE FILMING | DOCUMENTARIES | SUPPORT BOAT | SEABIRD AND CETACEAN SURVEYS

20/06/2026

Today's 4 Hour Cruise – Risso's & Hundreds of Common Dolphins

With the now familiar westerly winds still with us, we once again headed up towards the west, making the most of the shelter offered by the coastline while keeping our eyes peeled for any signs of wildlife.

It wasn't long before we had our first interesting sighting of the day. A beautiful Mediterranean Gull was sat quietly on the water, allowing us some excellent views through the binoculars. As we admired this stunning bird, movement behind it suddenly caught our attention.

Risso's dolphins!

A small group had surfaced behind the gull, and we altered course to keep an eye on them from a respectful distance. The dolphins gradually worked their way inshore, eventually taking us right up towards the mouth of the Helford River. We enjoyed some lovely views as they surfaced intermittently before leaving them in peace to continue on their way.

Heading back out of the river, we resumed our search and soon noticed what looked like a very low workup on the horizon. At first glance we thought it might just be shearwaters or gulls gathering over bait fish, but there seemed to be something darker moving underneath.

As we got closer, the sea suddenly came alive.

A huge pod of common dolphins erupted around the boat.

Around 200 animals were spread across the area, leaping, splashing, and charging through the water. Groups came racing over to bow ride, others surfed alongside us, while more dolphins could be seen porpoising across the horizon in every direction. It was one of those magical encounters where no matter where you looked there seemed to be dolphins.

We spent some time enjoying the spectacle before eventually continuing on our way.
Further offshore we picked up another, much smaller group of common dolphins on the horizon. We headed over to investigate, but unfortunately lost sight of them before we could relocate the pod.

The seabirds also continued to perform, with another couple of our wonderful European storm petrels dancing delicately across the surface. It's fantastic to see these tiny seabirds continuing to show so regularly this season.

Turning for home, we headed back into Falmouth Bay via the eastern side, rounding off the day with a couple of grey seals popping up to see us before we returned to harbour.

A fantastic trip all round, with Risso's dolphins, hundreds of common dolphins, storm petrels and seals making for another memorable day on the water.

📅 Don't forget, we still have spaces available on both Tuesday and Wednesday next week. With the bay absolutely buzzing with life right now and cetacean sightings becoming a regular feature of our trips, it's a fantastic time to get out on the water. We'd love to welcome you onboard and show you what Falmouth Bay has to offer.

19/06/2026

Today's 4 Hour Cruise – Risso's, Dolphins & Seabirds

We woke up to mist and murk this morning, but thankfully by the time we left the harbour the weather had begun to clear and the sun was making a determined effort to break through.

With strong south-westerly winds still blowing, we headed up and around to the west, taking things nice and slow. The Risso's dolphins have been spending much of their time close inshore recently and, as anyone who has followed our reports will know, they've been particularly elusive this year. So rather than rushing offshore, we kept our eyes glued to the water and searched carefully along the coastline.

It proved to be the right decision.

Up ahead, out of nowhere, a huge splash erupted from the sea.

A Risso's dolphin launched completely clear of the water, breaching an incredible 6 feet into the air before crashing back down. Then another breach. And another.

Risso's!

By the time we reached the area things had gone quiet again, but before long the dolphins started to surface. Initially we counted four animals, but more kept appearing until we had around 12 Risso's dolphins spread across the bay.

The group slowly made its way south towards the shelter of one of the bays, often surfacing in smaller pods of three or four animals. Every now and then one would burst from the water in another playful breach, keeping everyone onboard glued to the action. Despite their typically elusive behaviour, we enjoyed some wonderful views as they travelled through the swell.

Eventually it was time to move on, so we continued through the reef system where we were joined by 10 grey seals, several of them popping up around the boat as we passed through.

Leaving the reef, we noticed a patch of birds beginning to gather and work the water. At first there appeared to be nothing underneath them, but then the shout went up once again:

"Fin up!"

This time it was a small group of common dolphins. Around 6–7 animals, including two young juveniles, surfaced nearby before coming over to investigate us. They spent a few minutes riding the bow wave and swimming alongside the boat before peeling away and continuing on their travels.

To round things off, we added a couple more lovely seabird sightings to the day list. A tiny European storm petrel danced across the surface ahead of us, while two puffins powered past low over the waves.

A fantastic trip all round, with Risso's dolphins, common dolphins, seals, storm petrels and puffins all making an appearance. The bay continues to feel full of life, and with every trip bringing something different, we're more excited than ever to see what the coming weeks have in store.

With the bay absolutely bursting with life at the moment, now is a fantastic time to get out on the water. The Risso's dolphins are showing regularly, common dolphins are starting to make more appearances, and the seabird numbers continue to build by the day. We still have spaces available on our trips next Tuesday and Wednesday, so if you'd like the chance to experience these incredible encounters for yourself, now is the perfect time to get booked on. With every trip bringing something different, we're excited to see what surprises the bay has in store next week! 🐬🐋🐦🌊

Friday 13th June – 4 Hour CruiseWith beautiful conditions and flat seas greeting us for the morning, spirits were high a...
17/06/2026

Friday 13th June – 4 Hour Cruise

With beautiful conditions and flat seas greeting us for the morning, spirits were high as we left the harbour. Given the incredible run of Risso's dolphin sightings we've been having recently, we wasted no time getting the binoculars out and scanning hard in every direction.

Our original plan had been to head east, but before committing to the route we spent some time searching the western horizon. It proved to be a good decision.

Right at the limit of the binoculars we picked up some splashing.

Risso's!

Changing course immediately, we throttled up and headed over. But in true Risso's fashion—and something that seems to have happened rather a lot this year—by the time we arrived they had vanished completely.

Not a fin. Not a splash.

Knowing they were in the area, we stopped and waited. With conditions so calm we were confident that if they surfaced again, we'd spot them. Ten minutes passed. Then twenty. Then thirty.

Nothing.

Eventually we continued on towards the reef system, where the seabird activity remained excellent. Manx shearwaters streamed through offshore, and just inside of us a grey seal surfaced carrying an enormous eel. We watched as it wrestled with its catch at the surface, twisting and shaking it before disappearing beneath the waves with its prize.

Continuing on, we were rewarded with a lovely sighting of a harbour porpoise mother and calf, quietly travelling through the calmer water before disappearing from view.

From there we pushed offshore, looping around for the return leg and taking things slowly as we crossed back through the area where we'd originally seen the Risso's. Once again, however, the sea appeared empty.

Following the shelf edge towards the next reef system, we continued searching. Then suddenly—another huge splash.

Could it be the Risso's again?

We stopped and waited, scanning every direction, but frustratingly nothing surfaced a second time. With time beginning to run away from us, we reluctantly turned towards home.

And then, just when we'd almost given up hope...

"Fins up!"

This time there was no mistaking them.

Not just a few Risso's dolphins either.

Over 40 Risso's dolphins.

They seemed to be everywhere. Smaller groups were spread across the area, with some close to the boat and others further offshore. One pod alone numbered over 20 animals. Fins appeared in every direction, animals surfacing, milling around, and travelling through the calm sea.

Then came the breaches.

Several dolphins launched clear of the water, crashing back down in spectacular displays while others surfaced close enough for us to appreciate their beautiful scarred markings and pale bodies.

After spending much of the trip searching for them, to finally find ourselves surrounded by so many Risso's dolphins was an incredible reward and a truly unforgettable way to finish the cruise.

Eventually, with time finally defeating us, we had to leave the dolphins and head back into the estuary after one of the most exciting Risso's encounters of the season so far.

Today's 4 Hour Cruise – Risso's, Rarities & a Sunfish!With the wind once again coming in from the west, we followed our ...
12/06/2026

Today's 4 Hour Cruise – Risso's, Rarities & a Sunfish!

With the wind once again coming in from the west, we followed our now familiar route up towards the Manacles, making the most of the shelter provided by the coastline while keeping a close eye on the water.

As we approached the reef system, the shout suddenly went up:

"Fins up!"

A group of Risso's dolphins had been spotted about a mile away. We throttled up and headed over, excitement building as we closed the gap. By the time we arrived, however, all appeared quiet. The sea stretched out ahead of us with no sign of the dolphins.

Then, out of nowhere...

A juvenile Risso's surfaced right on the bow.

The dolphins had clearly come over to investigate us. For a few magical moments they stayed around the boat, surfacing alongside and beneath us, peering up from the crystal-clear water. Then they disappeared.

Only to ambush us again moments later, suddenly reappearing on the bow as if from nowhere. It was a wonderful interaction and a real privilege to spend time with these intelligent and inquisitive animals.

Eventually we left the dolphins to continue on their way and headed over to the far side of the reef system. Here the seabirds were putting on a show, with Manx shearwaters streaming through in good numbers and a couple of our tiny storm petrels dancing across the surface.

Then came the surprise of the day.

For only the second time ever, we picked up a Sabine's Gull.

Usually a species of much deeper offshore waters, the recent run of strong westerly winds had clearly pushed this beautiful bird into the bay. Better still, it was a stunning adult in full summer plumage, showing off its striking tri-coloured wings and elegant appearance. A real rarity and a bird that had everyone onboard very excited.

With time beginning to run short, we turned for home. But the wildlife wasn't quite finished with us yet.

On the journey back we picked up a sunfish, drifting just below the surface before lifting its distinctive fin above the water. Always an unexpected and welcome sighting, and a lovely way to round off another fantastic trip.

From playful Risso's dolphins to one of our rarest seabird sightings and a surprise sunfish, it was one of those days that reminds us you never quite know what the bay has in store.

🌊 Season Update – The Bay Is Building! 🌊We thought it was time for another quick update, as the last few weeks have been...
11/06/2026

🌊 Season Update – The Bay Is Building! 🌊

We thought it was time for another quick update, as the last few weeks have been nothing short of incredible out on the water.

The stars of the show continue to be our wonderful Risso's dolphins. We have now recorded well over 100 individual Risso's sightings this season already, making it one of the best starts we've had in years. From small groups feeding close to the cliffs to larger pods with juveniles, and even some spectacular breaching displays, they have been putting on a fantastic show. Every trip now feels like it carries the possibility of another unforgettable Risso's encounter.

The seabird story continues to develop too. Manx shearwaters are now present in fantastic numbers, with recent trips recording thousands moving through the bay. The huge streams of birds passing offshore are a sure sign that summer is well underway, and we're now eagerly awaiting the arrival of our larger pelagic shearwaters. Any day now we could be seeing our first Great, Sooty, Balearic, or Cory's shearwaters of the season.

Our tiny but mighty storm petrels are also continuing to impress. We've now recorded well over 30 individuals this season, with sightings remaining regular on trips. There is always something magical about watching these little birds dance across the surface of the sea, seemingly walking on water as they feed.

Perhaps most exciting of all is that the bay continues to fill with bait fish. Everywhere we go we're seeing signs of life building, from feeding seabirds to dolphins and whales taking advantage of the abundance. The feeling amongst the crew is that we're only just getting started.

And speaking of exciting things...

🚨 Our brand new 8-Hour Pelagic Cruises are starting very soon! 🚨

These longer trips will allow us to push further offshore, spend more time searching productive areas, and give ourselves the best possible chance of encountering some of our rarer seabirds and cetaceans.

📅 We still have spaces available on:
➡️ 21st June
➡️ 28th June

If you've ever wanted to experience a true pelagic adventure and see what lies beyond the horizon, these trips are not to be missed.

The season is building beautifully, the wildlife is arriving in force, and we cannot wait to see what the next few weeks bring.

With some added photos from last season to show whats to come!

02/06/2026

The excitement and absolute joy of seeing these charismatic and euphoric Common Dolphins never wains . How incredibly priviledged we all are to share these truly magical and wonderful moments with them . Joyfully more and more Common Dolphins are pushing back up into the rich and sheltered waters of Falmouth Bay to feed and raise their calves . Exciting times ahead . Booking is easy online . Or you can phone 07553 606838. Cruises are available 7 days a week . Suitable for all ages and abilities , including disabled . Dog friendly and car parking available within Falmouth Premier Marina on North Parade . Google maps shows you exactly where we are located .
🐳🐬🦭🤗🦭🐬🐳

Today's 4 Hour Cruise – Shearwaters Everywhere!The weather has certainly taken a turn over the last few days, with stron...
01/06/2026

Today's 4 Hour Cruise – Shearwaters Everywhere!

The weather has certainly taken a turn over the last few days, with stronger winds and greyer skies returning to the bay. Despite the conditions, we were still excited to get out and see what was happening offshore.

Although the fins remained elusive today, the seabirds more than made up for it.

Heading out into the bay, it quickly became apparent that something special was happening. Everywhere we looked there were Manx shearwaters. Small groups became larger groups, which became flocks, until eventually it seemed as though the entire horizon was moving.

There was a constant stream of shearwaters coming from the east, birds pouring past us throughout the trip. Some flew low over the wave tops, barely clearing the surface, while others gathered together in large rafts on the water. We estimated well over 10,000 Manx shearwaters during the trip — one of the largest movements we have seen this season.

While we didn't manage any cetacean sightings today, seeing such incredible numbers of shearwaters is a wildlife spectacle in its own right. Days like this are a fantastic sign that the bay is still absolutely bursting with life beneath the surface, and where there is food, the larger predators are never far behind.

With the season continuing to build and wildlife changing almost daily, every trip brings something different. We can't wait to get back out there and see what the next adventure has in store.

Address

Falmouth Premier Marina, North Parade
Falmouth
TR112TD

Telephone

+447553606838

Website

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