Cornwall is an ocean lover’s paradise.
The entire county is lined with hundreds of spectacular beaches, massive cliffs and the impressive rugged Cornish coastline.
On top of that, you have extraordinary marine life that can be easily experienced in their natural environment.
There are several boat trips operating from coastal towns of Cornwall.
One of the best places though for viewing marine life in their natural habitat is Newquay.
Situated on Cornwall’s north coast, Newquay is famous for being one of England’s most popular seaside towns.
However, it is even more popular due to the incredible dolphin boat trips and sea wildlife safaris on offer.
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Marine life you can spot near Newquay, Cornwall
Just off Cornwall’s coast, within the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, you can spot a diverse range of marine wildlife.
The semi-tropical climate plays an important role in attracting marine species in huge numbers.
Let’s start with dolphins as they are the most sought-after.
You can easily spot short-beaked common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Risso’s dolphins and in rare cases, the elusive harbour porpoise.
There are lots of whales near Newquay’s coast as well.
If you are lucky, you can spot minke whales or humpback whales, playfully swimming around the coast.
Apart from dolphins and whales, you also have the famous Newquay grey seals, sun fish, leatherback turtles and even sharks.
Newquay, Cornwall dolphin boat trips and sea wildlife safaris are fun for the whole family.
There are boat trips and coastal cruises for small as well as large groups and most come with expert guides.
The best Newquay Cornwall Dolphin Boat Trips and Sea Wildlife Safaris
I am giving below my top three dolphin and sea wildlife safari boat trips in and around Newquay, Cornwall.
Each of these boat trips are perfect for all marine life enthusiasts.
They provide a unique experience along the iconic locations of Cornwall, spotting the best sea wildlife in the region.
Newquay Sea Safaris and Fishing – Atlantic Diver
Newquay Sea Safaris and Fishing is one of the most popular boat trip companies to experience Cornwall’s incredible marine life.
They offer a number of two to four hour cruises onboard the fantastic Atlantic Diver.
Boat trips offered:
- Seal Cove Safari
- Snorkel Safari
- Basking Shark Experience
- Shark Cage Diving
- Sea Safari plus Fishing Combined Experience
You can also opt for half or full day fishing trips or charter their boat for private groups.
For today, let me talk more about the Seal Cove Safari. It the best way to view dolphins, a plethora of marine life and learn about Newquay’s maritime history.
The Seal Cove Safari is a two hour trip that operates from the old historical Newquay harbour.
You go past Fistral Beach, one of the most famous beaches of Cornwall towards the famous Seal Cove.
After watching the seals in their natural habitat, you go into deeper ocean for further marine life exploration.
It is here that you can watch not just dolphins but also sharks, harbour porpoise, sunfish and other local wildlife.
As per the company’s website, you also get to see a huge array of sea birds plus watch the captain haul his lobster pots.
I do feel this is the best boat trip to spot dolphins at Newquay Bay along the coast of Cornwall.
While you pursue the magnificent creature, you have beautiful scenery all around.
The Seal Cove Safari is a great way to spot dolphins, have fun and educate yourself on Cornwall’s marine life.
Prices for the dolphin boat trip and sea wildlife safari start at GBP £35 per adult. Children between the ages of 2 to 12 are GBP £30.
Also, a quick note on the boat, Atlantic Diver. It is operated by the owners Chris and Annabelle Lowe and is the only catamaran boat at Newquay Harbour.
It is stocked with full safety equipment, comfortable seating, flush toilet and a great deck area.
Padstow Sealife Safaris
Padstow Sealife Safaris operates from the town of Padstow, located about 30 minutes from Newquay.
Their RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boat) start from the famous Camel Estuary, along the coast of North Cornwall.
If you want to view dolphins and other incredible ocean life, while having an expert guide explain important points of interest, then this boat trip is for you.
Boat trips offered:
- Sealife boat trip
- Seal boat trip
- Puffin Island boat trip
- Camel Estuary tour
- Explorers boat trip
Out of the above trips, the Sealife boat trip is the best for viewing dolphins and other marine life.
The total trip time is 2 hours covering almost 25 miles of superb Cornwall coastline.
You can spot dolphins, seals and various seabirds quite easily during the trip. If you are lucky, you will be able to spot the sunfish or the harbour porpoise.
Marine life is not the only highlight of this boat trip. I personally like it as you also get to see many popular coastal spots of interest in Cornwall.
Overall, it is a fun boat trip for all members of the family.
Do keep in mind though that most RIB operators in Cornwall do not allow pregnant women on the trip.
Little ones of 2 years or below and even those with back problems are not permitted on the boat.
This is understandable considering the nature of the coast, the waves and speed with which the RIBs operate.
Prices for the Sealife Boat Trip are GBP £42.50 per adult and GBP £32.50 per child.
Looe Sea Safari
Looe is a charming little town about 1 hour from Newquay in south-east of Cornwall.
Apart from excellent fishing opportunities, Looe boat trips offer amazing sea safari adventures perfect for the entire family.
One of the best boat trips for viewing dolphins and other marine life is operated by Looe Sea Safari.
Boat trips offered:
- Looe Island
- Looe Island – Looe Bay – Polperro
- Coastal Safari
- Eddystone Lighthouse Safari
- Fowey Coastal Cruise
The Coastal Safari is the one for spotting dolphins, seals and various other marine life along Cornwall’s coast.
The boat trips are on RIBs that are both fast and agile.
The total time for the sea safari is about 90 minutes.
What is good about this trip is that you don’t just get to see the wonderful marine life. You can also view some of the best spots of Cornwall. This includes beaches and hidden coves.
The RIBs start from the Looe seafront and there may be boat transfers required depending on low tide and weather.
Similar to other RIB operators, pregnant women, children under two and those with back problems are not permitted.
Prices for the Coastal Safari are GBP £32 per adult and GBP £22 per child between 2 to 15 years.
What you need to know about dolphin boats and sea wildlife safaris in Cornwall
Going on a dolphin boat trip and marine life safari at Cornwall is an unforgettable experience.
To make the most of your time, do keep a few things in mind while planning your trip.
1) If you have a large enough group, you can charter the entire boat.
This often become more cost-effective than the general tour packages.
Always ask for charter options or if customized tours are provided.
2) Typically, a boat trip requires minimum 4 persons. If this is not met, the trip may be cancelled.
Do enquire with the trip operator about when a trip could get cancelled and their refund policy.
3) If sunset trips are offered, please do opt for them.
Not only are they extremely scenic, sometimes you get to spot many more dolphins and marine life at that time.
4) If you are with children, pregnant women or have a family member with specific health issues, I suggest the catamaran.
You will get this at Newquay Sea Safaris and Fishing.
The other operators, although equally fantastic, operate RIBs that can be bouncy and uncomfortable for some.
5) Depending upon the season, the timings or frequency of boat trips can change.
Summer months or just after bring many new marine life to the coast. Again, enquire with the tour operator about their timings and any seasonal changes on the route.
Final thoughts on Newquay Cornwall dolphin boat trips
The entire Cornwall coastline is simply breathtaking.
A boat trip is completely worth it simply to experience the coastline, beaches, coves and other natural wonders.
Add to this spotting dolphins, seals, whales, seabirds and various other marine life, it is simply the best experience.
Whether you are in Newquay, Padstow or Looe, a dolphin boat trip is an absolute must.
