Whale Watching Worldwide

Ireland
Year Number of
whale
watchers
AAGR Number of
operators
Direct
expenditure
Indirect
expenditure
Total
expenditure
1991 150,000 N/A N/A $1,290,000 $1,720,000 $3,010,000
1994 165,000 3.2% N/A $1,337,000 $3,342,000 $4,679,000
1998 177,000 1.8% N/A $1,322,000 $5,797,000 $7,119,000
2008 116,759 ‐4.1% 21 $2,938,965 $8,559,920 $11,498,885
Capital City: Dublin
Whale Watch Locations:
01: Kilrush
02: Carrigaholt
03: Youghal
04: Dingle
05: Kenmare
Ireland is a popular destination for dolphin watching in Europe with
approximately 116,760 participants in 2008. This number
represents a decline in comparison to 1998. However, this is likely
to be due to bad weather conditions experienced during the 2008
season rather than a sign of any long‐term decline. According to
information provided by a local NGO, it would be more likely that the overall trend in whale watcher
numbers has been steady over the last decade, according to our discussions with operators.
Another reason for the numbers in 2008 being lower than 1998 is an adjustment in the number of dolphin
watchers in the locality of Dingle, County Kerry, exclusively visiting the charismatic local dolphin named
Fungi. In 1998, over 150,000 Fungi watchers were counted. In 2008, the surveyed Local Boat Association
reported 70,000 dolphin watchers. If Fungi watchers data are excluded from 1998 and 2008, then the
industry increased from 27,000 to 46,760 whale and dolphin watchers at an annual average rate of 5.5%.
Despite this decrease, this remains a significant number of whale watchers for a sole animal that has had
ongoing interactions with humans for well over 25 years.
Land‐based whale watching is quite active along the Irish coast. Based on data gathered for this report, it is
estimated that approximately 1,890 dolphin watchers undertook land‐based viewing as part of summer
events promoted by a local whale and dolphin conservation organisation. One of these events in particular
is the All Ireland Whale Watch Day (called ‘Whale Watch Ireland’). This is an annual event on the 24th
August, which celebrates the Irish declaration of a whale and dolphin sanctuary. In 2008, this event was
attended by around 1,500 participants on 15 headlands around the Irish Coast, including Hook Head and
Galley Head.
The country’s boat‐based whale watching activity is based around the Shannon Estuary, County Clare, with
Kilrush and Carrigaholt as departing ports. This area accounts for 40% of Ireland’s sea‐based whale
watchers. County Kerry (Durquin, Dingle, Doon and Cahirciveen localities) contributes 30%, while West
County Cork (Baltimore, Youghal, Cork Harbour, Castlehaven, Castletownshend) has approximately 20%.
Many tour operators offer opportunistic tours along with other cruises, and only seven
companies/associations are identified as dedicated cetacean watching operators.
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