1. NORTHERN EXPERIENCE WILDLIFE TOURS
CONTACT: Martin Kitching
TELEPHONE: 01670 827465; 07908 119535
EMAIL: martin@newtltd.co.uk
ADDRESS: 18 Frances Ville, Scotland Gate, Choppington, Northumberland, NE62 5ST
Type of vessel and trip: MCA coded 10m catamaran, 12 passengers, licensed to operate up to 60 miles from shore. 4hr evening trips in June/July/August close to the southeast Northumberland coast and 10hr day trips in August/September out to the Farne Deeps where we’ve identified key feeding areas for White-beaked Dolphin through survey work and wildlife tours since 2009.
Likely species to be seen: bottlenose dolphin, white-beaked dolphin, minke whale, harbour porpoise, grey seal, gannet, fulmar, kittiwake, shearwaters, skuas.
2. BILLY SHIELS BOAT TRIPS
CONTACT: William Shiel
TELEPHONE: 01665 720 308
EMAIL: info@farne-islands.com
ADDRESS: 1 Seafield Road, Seahouses, Northumberland, NE68 7SJ
Type of vessel and trip: MCA coded 10m rib, twin outboards, 12 passengers licensed to operator up to 20miles from shore, wildlife watching as well as diving.
Likely species to be seen: common and white beaked-dolphins, harbour porpoises, minke whale, humpback whales are rare but have been seen in last few years, 4,000 Atlantic grey seals, tens of thousands of seabirds in breeding season. Individuals as well as parties, bespoke trips to such locations as Farnes Deep, favoured location 20 miles offshore for cetaceans.
3. SERENITY – FARNE ISLANDS BOAT TOURS
CONTACT: Andrew & Toby Douglas
TELEPHONE: 01665 720760; 07984668093
EMAIL: andrew@sovereigndiving.co.uk
ADDRESS: 17 North Lane, Seahouses, Northumberland NE68 7RN
Type of vessel and trip: Serenity II is the first purpose built catamaran for tours of the Farne Islands. Cutting edge design for enhanced stability giving the perfect platform to view the wildlife and beauty of the Farne Islands. Toilet facilities, 360 degree viewing and disabled access when the tide is high. MCA coded for 62 passengers. We are also coded for 12 passengers up to 20 miles offshore. Licenced to land on the islands during the season. Operating 12 months of the year.
Likely species to be seen: harbour porpoise, common and white-beaked dolphins, minke whale, basking shark and 4,000 Atlantic grey seals. The Farne Islands is also home to 80,000 pairs of seabirds during the breeding season.
4. WHITBY WHALE-WATCHING
CONTACT: Paul Hobson & Brian Clarkson
TELEPHONE: 07941450381
EMAIL: info@whitbywhalewatching.co.uk
ADDRESS: 6a Albion Place, Whitby, North Yorkshire YO21 1ES
Type of vessel and trip: Summer Queen is a large vessel with three different outdoor decks, one of which is undercover, as well as a heated saloon with hot and cold drinks and confectionery available. The vessel can carry over 100 passengers but typically only carries 12 for offshore Whale Watching and 50 for inshore Whale Watching and Wildlife and Coastal Scenery trips. Earlier in the season, particularly July and August, Summer Queen will operate late afternoon/evening Wildlife and Coastal Cruises which sometimes also encounter cetaceans. These are advertised and only available to book at the quay, no online or telephone bookings are taken.
Likely species to be seen: whale watching trips now only operate in September when minke whale numbers are at their peak along the Yorkshire Coast. Other species occasionally seen include fin, sei and humpback Whales as well as White-beaked and bottlenose dolphins. Harbour Porpoise are also sighted quite frequently in this area. Grey Seals are numerous in the area with a colony at nearby Ravenscar and many seabirds are also seen with RSPB Bempton a short flight away. Trips must be booked online and usually sail at 0900, 1230 & 1545 on Summer Queen.
