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Peregrine Travel Centre

Whales, Dolphins & Seabirds of the Atlantic Edge Cruise

Whales, Dolphins & Seabirds of the Atlantic Edge Cruise

From GBP £3,595

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Description

We are delighted to have joined forces once again with ORCA, a UK based whale and dolphin conservation charity dedicated to the long-term protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises and their habitats worldwide. ORCA’s vision is to have oceans alive with whales and dolphins, and their mission is to give everyone who cares about whales and dolphins an active role in safeguarding their future.
This new, six night voyage has been designed to appeal to those who enjoy being at sea and have a passion for the natural world. As part of ORCA’s ongoing education work, Ocean Conservationists will be joining us on board, delivering exciting wildlife experiences and innovative education programmes, teaching guests about the marine environment whilst at the same time collecting critical scientific data about some of the richest habitats in the ocean. Monitoring in the Bay of Biscay is particularly important due to the risk of ship strike for large whales – so while on deck you will find Ocean Conservationists collecting data with the ‘OceanWatchers’ app which passengers can also assist with by downloading the app too.
We will be sailing through one of the world’s top five best whale and dolphin locations as we pass through the English Channel and down into the Bay of Biscay, a rich feeding ground and an important migration route for many species, such as fin whales – the second largest animal on the planet. Following the continental shelf edge (a dramatic change in water depth from 150 to 4000 metres) means that we will be in the perfect mixing bowl of nutrients that promote large algal blooms that act as the basis of all life in the Bay of Biscay. Large schools of fish are found here feeding on these microscopic plants, which not only provides the perfect pit-stop for migrating fin whales, but also the perfect habitat for a variety of other whale and dolphin species, such as the common dolphin, striped dolphin, Risso’s dolphin, sei whales and many more.
Journeying towards Spain, we will be met by two deep-sea canyons in which you can find the wonderful world of beaked whales. These elusive mammals are deep diving specialists and we will keep our eyes peeled for the deepest diving mammal on the planet – the Cuvier’s beaked whale.
We have timed the voyage for early September when whale migrations from north to south are taking place increasing further the possibility to spot whales whilst a diverse range of bird species should also be seen during our journey. We hope you can join us and the ORCA Ocean Conservationists on what promises to be an unforgettable trip in some of the most beautiful and productive waters and discover the wonderful world of whales and dolphins for yourself.

Trip Name
Whales, Dolphins & Seabirds of the Atlantic Edge Cruise
Days
7
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 90.6 metres Passenger Capacity: 118 Built / Refurbished: 1992 / 2016 The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our three elegant sister ships—alongside the MS Island Sky and MS Caledonian Sky—renowned for their small size, comfort, and service. Built in the same Italian shipyard, this refined vessel underwent a multi-million-pound refurbishment in 2016, enhancing its private yacht-like atmosphere. SuitesThe ship offers 59 spacious, outside-facing suites over five decks, with 14 featuring private balconies. Each suite includes a sitting area, en-suite bathroom with rainfall shower, flat-screen TV, minibar, safe, dressing table, Molton Brown toiletries, robes, slippers, and individually controlled climate settings. Beds can be configured as twins or doubles, except in suites 601 and 602. The luxurious Hebridean Suite includes a large balcony, sitting room, and complimentary minibar and laundry. Public AreasPublic spaces include a panoramic lounge for talks and briefings, The Club bar with live piano music, a library with books and games, and ample outdoor deck space including a wildlife observation area. A lift serves all decks, and there is a small hair salon and an onboard doctor. Complimentary satellite Wi-Fi is available, though signal strength may vary. DiningMeals are served in a single sitting in the elegant dining room or al fresco on the Lido Deck. Cuisine is fresh and varied, often featuring local produce. Enjoy daily afternoon tea, pre-dinner canapés, and wines with lunch and dinner. Breakfast is buffet-style with cooked-to-order options. Barbecues and live cooking stations are also offered. Special diets can be accommodated with notice. ExperienceDesigned for those who prefer a quiet, enriching cruise, the Hebridean Sky offers a relaxed, yacht-like ambiance without large ship distractions. There’s no organised entertainment or dress codes—just thoughtful service, enriching lectures, and scenic cruising among like-minded travellers. Comfort & SafetyThe vessel is fitted with stabilisers, modern navigation systems, and safety equipment. Guests can visit the Bridge, view route information on suite TVs, and enjoy peace of mind with a fully equipped clinic on board.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Portsmouth, England.
Embark the MS Hebridean Sky this afternoon. Transfers will be provided from Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station at a fixed time.
Day 2 - Day 2 Lyme Bay & Dartmouth.
At dawn we will be sailing through Lyme Bay and staff will be on deck as we look for common dolphins that can be found in these waters. Later this morning we will sail along the River Dart to our anchorage off the town of Dartmouth. Here you can choose to spend a couple of hours exploring the town or maybe join a Zodiac ride along the river and see the castles and river fortifications whilst keeping an eye out for wildlife. Over lunch we sail out to the English Channel where the shallow waters are home to several species of whale, dolphin and porpoise. Regular sightings in these waters include minke whales, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises. A few lucky spotters could even see some rarer visitors, including the second largest animal on the planet - the fin whale, long-finned pilot whales, Risso’s dolphin and even the iconic humpback whale. Keep an eye out for playful bow-riding dolphins who leap in the waves made by the ship as we sail through these waters.
Day 3 - Day 3 Shelf Edge, Bay of Biscay.
Overnight we have sailed into the Bay of Biscay which is one of the most exciting areas in the world for whale and dolphin watching. A dramatic change in water depth from 150 to 4000 metres creates the perfect mixing bowl of nutrients that promote large algal blooms. These microscopic plants are the catalyst for drawing in ocean giants, who feed on the large schools of fish sustained by this explosion of life. We spend the day cruising in these rich feeding grounds, keeping a lookout for fin whales, sei whales, minke whales, long-finned pilot whales, Risso’s dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins and common dolphins. Around one-third of the world’s whale and dolphin species can be sighted in Biscay - with orca and blue whales being among the occasional visitors, meaning it is always an exciting area to watch for wildlife.
Day 4 - Day 4 Canyons & Santander, Spain.
Arrive this morning in the southern Bay of Biscay. Around 2-30 kilometres off the coast of Spain, lies the Santander and Torrelavega Canyons which are both more than twice the depth of the Grand canyon. These colossal trenches are the perfect habitat for some of the most elusive and interesting whale and dolphin species, such as the Cuvier’s beaked whale. This mind-boggling species is the deepest diving mammal on the planet, they can hold their breath for an astonishing 3 hours and 42 minutes, and dive to an incredible 2,992 metres. Other beaked whales sighted here include the Sowerby’s beaked whale, northern bottlenose whale and True’s beaked whale, as well as other marine mammal species like the pilot whale and sperm whale. So keep your eyes peeled for some of the most exciting and unusual species you might spot. In the early evening we will berth in Santander where we have a few hours to stretch our legs before we sail tonight.
Day 5 - Day 5 Whale Watching.
Spend the day cruising along and around the northern Iberian Coast which is home to around 22 whale and dolphin species including the harbour porpoise, common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, and Risso’s dolphin. Several members of the iconic “blackfish” have also been sighted in these waters, including regular sightings of the longfinned pilot whale and occasional sightings of orca and false killer whale. Further offshore species such as the striped dolphin, Cuvier’s beaked whale, Sowerby’s beaked whale, sperm whale, minke and fin whale can be spotted.
Day 6 - Day 6 Vigo & Iles des Cies.
Sail this morning into the Galician port of Vigo from where local boats will take us offshore to the beautiful Iles des Cies. Part of the Atlantic Islands National Park, the Romans named them the ‘islands of the gods’ and we will spend time enjoying the natural beauty of the landscapes; see the stunning beaches, walk the paths to search for animal and plant life or maybe swim in the clear waters. Alternatively spend some time in Vigo itself and explore the narrow streets of the old town or visit the Castro Fotress which was built in 1665 to defend the city from the English Navy and offers views over the city. Later, we sail the waters off the coast of Portugal which are home to playful dolphin species, such as the bottlenose dolphin and common dolphin, as well as the shy harbour porpoise.
Day 7 - Day 7 Oporto, Portugal to London or Manchester.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to the UK.
Day 8 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
05-09-202511-09-2025GBP £3,595Amundsen Deck Standard Suite
05-09-202511-09-2025GBP £3,795Amundsen Deck Standard Sole
05-09-202511-09-2025GBP £3,795Byrd Deck Superior Suite
05-09-202511-09-2025GBP £3,995Mawson Deck Premium Suite
05-09-202511-09-2025GBP £3,995Byrd Deck Superior Sole
05-09-202511-09-2025GBP £4,295Mawson Deck Corner Suite
05-09-202511-09-2025GBP £4,795Scott Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite
05-09-202511-09-2025GBP £4,995Shackleton Deck Owner's Balcony Suite
05-09-202511-09-2025GBP £5,295Shackleton Deck Hebridean Suite

Inclusions

    • Dartmouth & Lyme Bay: Spot common dolphins and explore the historic town of Dartmouth.
    • Bay of Biscay: Cruise one of the world's richest whale and dolphin habitats.
    • Iles des Cies: Discover stunning beaches and natural beauty in the 'islands of the gods'.

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