Whale & dolphin watching FAQ
Last updated: 16 September 2026
Common questions about watching whales, dolphins and porpoises around the UK coast, and about how PodLog works. If you are looking for somewhere to go today, the live map is the better starting point.
Where can I see orcas in the UK?
Almost all UK orca sightings are Scottish. The best known animals are the West Coast Community, seen off the Hebrides and the west coast, and the Northern Isles pods around Shetland and Orkney, which are recorded far more often and sometimes hunt seals close inshore. Caithness and the north Scottish coast see regular passes in summer. Sightings south of Scotland are rare enough to make the news.
Where can I see dolphins in the UK?
The Moray Firth in north-east Scotland holds the UK's best known resident bottlenose dolphin population, and Chanonry Point near Fortrose is probably the most reliable land-based dolphin watching site in Britain, particularly on a rising tide. Cardigan Bay in west Wales has a second resident group. Common dolphins are widespread off Cornwall, off Devon and in the Irish Sea, often in large, fast-moving groups.
What is the best time of year to see whales and dolphins in the UK?
Broadly May to September, when the animals are most active inshore, the sea is calmest and daylight is longest. Minke whales peak off Scotland in summer, and bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth are present all year. Humpback sightings have become more frequent in late autumn and winter. On any given day, sea state matters more than season: anything above a Force 3 makes spotting difficult.
How do I tell a porpoise from a dolphin?
The differences are size, fin shape and behaviour. A harbour porpoise is small, around 1.5 m, with a low triangular dorsal fin, no beak, and a quiet rolling surface that barely breaks the water. Dolphins are larger, with a curved sickle-shaped dorsal fin and a visible beak, and they travel faster, bow-ride and leap. An animal that surfaces quietly once and disappears is usually a porpoise; one that is conspicuous and energetic is usually a dolphin.
How accurate is the forecast?
It should be read as guidance on where to look rather than a promise. The model starts from each pod's last recorded position, spreads the likely position outward as confidence decays, and weights that by tidal state, sea temperature and currents. Distance from the last known position dominates the result. Animals move unpredictably, and a forecast several hours old is a hint rather than a schedule.
How do I report a sighting?
Open the map and choose Report a sighting. You can take the position from your phone's GPS, tap it on the map, or let the location data in a photo place it for you. Add a species, and a photograph if you have one. Reports join the same map as the imported research data, and photographs are what make a record most useful to everyone else.
Is PodLog free?
Yes. The live map, every species, every overlay, sighting reports and your personal logbook are free, and are intended to stay that way.
What should I do if I find a stranded or injured whale or dolphin?
Do not push it back out to sea, and do not let dogs near it. In England and Wales, call British Divers Marine Life Rescue on 01825 765546; in Scotland, call the Scottish SPCA on 03000 999 999. Keep people and dogs back, keep the animal's blowhole clear, and keep it upright if it is safe to do so. Report a dead stranded animal to the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, which uses the records for research.
How close can I get to a whale or dolphin?
Keep well away. Cetaceans in UK waters are protected by law, and it is a criminal offence to disturb them intentionally or recklessly. Never drive a boat at them, never try to swim with them, and never separate a group. Let the animals set the distance. The best watching is almost always done from the shore.