Scientists and the public partnering to monitor and improve the conservation of cetaceans in UK waters
Become a citizen scientist and help protect the species within our waters
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Latest updates
National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2026
Each year, we invite members of the public to participate in our flagship citizen science event National Whale and Dolphin Watch. This nine-day long event, typically held during the last week of July, is an exciting opportunity for people from all over the UK to actively contribute to cetacean conservation. By taking part in organised watches and surveys at coastal locations across the country, participants help create a ‘snapshot’ view of the species present in UK waters. From experienced marine enthusiasts to families and individuals simply curious about wildlife, everyone is encouraged to get involved.
To register, please click the button below!
Register your watches now! Official training Find out more!Sightings so far…
Important App Update!
We are excited to announce that a new version of the Sea Watcher App is now available! As part of this update, we have refreshed our Privacy Policy. To continue submitting your sightings and protecting our oceans, please update the app and confirm your agreement with the new terms.
We have expanded our coverage; easy access to our map viewer; flexible submissions through basic or detailed sightings and surveys; historical data visibility of your previous sightings and surveys.
Please read the full update protocol, FAQ’s and “quick fixes” below.
Gray whale. Photo credit: PGH Evans
Watch the 2026 Annual General Meeting
Find out what the Sea Watch Foundation team got up to during 2025 and their plans for the future.
Watch it now!
LATEST NEWS
blog / event Featured blog / event
Extremely Rare Orca Hunting Behaviour Recorded Off Oban During Final Day of Orca Watch
blog / event Featured blog / event
A fresh look for Sea Watch Foundation!
Featured blog / event
Streamlining UK Sightings Data at Sea Watch
Extremely Rare Orca Hunting Behaviour Recorded Off Oban During Final Day of Orca Watch
A remarkable and potentially unprecedented orca hunting event was recorded off the coast of Oban [...]
Returning to New Quay… the calm before the storm
I continued to finish my dinner when I heard a splash in front of me. [...]
SEA WATCHER APP
Recording cetaceans while you are out on a walk or enjoying a boat trip seems like a fun idea in practice, but sometimes the associated paper work can be unwieldy and impractical in a hectic environment. This is where our new app comes in!
Sea Watch Foundation have launched a brand-new recording app, entitled “Sea Watcher” Download here on Android and Apple iOS.
PHOTO GALLERY
Our new sightings map viewer
Exciting updates to streamline UK sightings data are here! We’ve launched a centralised system, updated the sightings submission page, and introduced a new sightings map. Click HERE to explore it!