Landbased whale watching

The waters around the Isle of Mull are well known for their abundance of cetaceans. For this reason, several whale watch boats operate here from various places. However, you don't have to go out on a boat to see whales, dolphins or porpoises; it is also possible to see them from land.

When watching whales from land, there are a few things to take into account. First, find a comfortable and safe spot to sit because it can take some time before you see anything. The best places for whale watching are high up (from cliffs for example) but in general, any place overlooking the sea will do.

Whether or not you see whales, dolphins or porpoises is largely dependent on the weather. If it is a windy day with whitecaps on the water there is not much point in trying to spot these animals, for they surface briefly and they usually only show their dorsal fins. Waves and foam crests look remarkably like these and prevent seeing any real glimpse of them. Too much sunshine doesn't help either, for the reflection on the water makes it really difficult to sea anything that breaks the surface; overcast and calm days are the best to see marine mammals.

Scanning the water for anything that disturbs the surface can be done with the naked eye or binoculars. Be aware of the phenomenon that after a while every wavelet will appear to be a dorsal fin; this happens even to the best whale-watchers!

It is always useful to keep an eye on feeding sea birds. If there are many of them diving franticly in one particular spot (a hurry) this could mean that the fish they go for were rounded up into a bait ball by a far larger predator, like a minke whale. Keep watching if you see the large arched back and maybe even a lunge feed.

Apart from using your eyes to spot cetaceans, don't forget to listen for the distinct sound of their blows and you may even be unlucky! enough to catch a whiff of their breath, for they all suffer from halitosis.

After saying all this, there is no guarantee that you will see a whale, a dolphin or a porpoise. They are elusive creatures and there is a lot still to learn about them. However, try to enjoy the outdoor experience, for there are many more interesting things to see when looking for cetaceans. Seals, otters, many bird species and beautiful views are very rewarding, too.

Finally, when you do see a whale, count yourself lucky and treasure the memory!

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