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In 2002 we introduced our Offshore Islands Voyage, which includes Whale and Dolphin Watching. Voyages Of Discovery is the only company offering dedicated sailings to these spectacular waters.
 The abundant sea life is derived from nutrient rich water up welling to the surface as it reaches offshore reefs. This creates a food cycle from phytoplankton up to the mammoth Whales in an area acknowledged for its biodiversity.
All our Rigid Hull Inflatables have been designed & built for this Offshore Route & are equipped with full inboard seating and the latest navigational aids. The Voyage is approximately two and half hours long.
 The Voyage departs from St Justinian (2 miles from St Davids) and firstly covers the south end of Ramsey Island. From there is westwards to the Irish Sea and the offshore Island of Grassholm. En route there are normally good sightings of harbour porpoise.
Grassholm is a spectacular sight being covered in 60,000 breeding Gannets and forms the second largest colony in the Northern Hemisphere. This small island also offers some excellent Atlantic Grey Seals that fish the turbulent waters.
Depending on the weather conditions we then make a Northerly or Southerly
Sweep along the edges of the Celtic Deep. It is here that we enjoy most sightings of Whales and Dolphins. Sightings include Common, White Sided, Bottlenose and Rissos Dolphin, Orca (Killer Whale), Minke Whale, Fin Whale and Pilot Whale.
 Porpoises are seen on most sailings, dolphins on 95% and whales on 30%. The offshore sailings are made from end of May to the end of September. The best times are June and July for Orca ( and again in Sept), Minke July through to Sept, Dolphins most of the year but peaking July to September. We have observed up to 31 Minke and over 500 dolphins on a sailing (but please remember that we have also had sailings with no sightings !!). For many though just a reaching the rarely visited Island of Grassholm is reward enough.
We also see basking shark, large sunfish and turtle from time to time. Inshore the Porpoises are seen daily with occasional sightings of whale.
 When conditions allow we also offer a longer four hour Voyage 20 miles offshore. This is normally very early in the morning and on particular tides to an area that produces a frenzy of activity by cetaceans.
The Voyage is suitable for all ages but please take account of the wind chill offshore and that young ones may find it a little long. Therefore our experience over the years as led us to introduce a minimum age of 8 years for children.
Prices are
| Offshore Voyages |
Adults £55,
Child £30 |
A monthly update on the latest sightings is available by clicking below. Whilst the exact areas of operation are kept secret we make available detailed observation reports to specific research organisations.
http://www.ramseyisland.co.uk/updates
 For birders we can offer dedicated offshore migratory bird watching by arrangement.
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Copyright © Voyages of Discovery 2006 
