Welcome to Ireland’s Wildlife Tours: your gateway to the wildlife wonders of the Irish south coast. Perched on the edge of the North Atlantic, Ireland plays host to a fantastic array of wildlife, and boasts some of the best coastal and marine wildlife watching opportunities in Europe.
Some of the wildlife highlights we encounter regularly on Ireland’s remarkable south coast include:
Large movements of seabirds off West Cork’s iconic headlands (Manx, Sooty, Cory’s and Great Shearwaters, Skuas, European and Wilson’s Storm Petrels and more) (Summer/Autumn)
Otters and kingfishers on tidal inlets and waterways
Visiting waders and wildfowl on coastal mudflats, lagoons and estuaries (Autumn/Winter)
Basking sharks, the world’s second largest fish, cruising just off shore (Spring & Early Summer)
Migrant birds passing through during spring and autumn migration (Spring/Autumn)
Resident raptors including peregrine, buzzard, kestrel, sparrowhawk and occasionally merlin
Close encounters with grey and common seals
Charismatic choughs and ravens along coastal sea cliffs
Spectacular aggregations of diving gannets just off shore
… and who knows what else.
We’d love to share some of them with you.
Ireland’s Wild South Coast
Our signature 5-night/6-day wildlife tour takes in the region’s wildlife hotspots, including headlands like the Old-Head of Kinsale and Galley Head, and offshore islands like the legendary Cape Clear, beaches, woodland, estuaries and so much more as we head out in search of some of the region’s iconic wildlife highlights.
West Cork Wildlife Taster
This shorter 3-night/four-day wildlife holiday gives guests a whistle-stop tour of the best the Irish South Coast has to offer the wildlife enthusiast. While we can’t cover quite as much ground as we can on our 6-day tour, we certainly pack in the wildlife watching, making the most of every opportuity.
Birding Oktoberfest
The headlands and islands of Ireland’s south coast have long had a reputation as hotspots for migrant birds and rarities. Timed to coincide with a key period in autumn migration, this bird-focussed holiday is all about looking for the extraordinary.
