Dolphin Watching

pinc

I'd like to bring my 5yr old son on a dolphin/whale watch next week.I will have to stay overnight in either Carrigaholt or Kilrush to do this as we're travelling by public bus. Anyone know which one is the best option as regards easy walking access to boat and accomodation.?
The websites look good but a bit vague on the travel details.I'd hate to go to all the trouble and have the young lad disappointed due to lack of planning/knowledge on my part. Any practical info would be great,tks

BLITZ_Molloy

I went dolphin/wale watching at Kilrush a couple of years ago. As far as I remember it was very easy to get on the boat. There's a waiting room, and then you just walk a short distance down a pier to get on the boat. There are enough seats for everybody travelling and I don't think they were high up.

I'd be slow to bring a 5 year old though. They bring you out for a a couple of hours? Maybe more. I can't remember. All I know is I didn't see any dolphins so I got my money back. Didn't bother me much but I think a small child would have been bored out of his tree sitting in the one spot that long.

pinc

Never considered the boredom factor.And if the dolphins were a no-show it be a disaster.
Might have to reconsider or look for an aquariam that has big fish in it.We've done the Salthill one to death.
pinc

JoJo_27

I know it may be difficult relying on public transport but why not go for the real thing and try visiting White Strand, just outside Spanish Point/Miltown Malbay and see Dusty the dolphin. Whilst it's not encouraged you can swim with her , although it's advised to keep your distance she may chose to come to you. She has her bad days but who doesn't! There's nothing formal there - she's a wild dolphin who choses to live there and most days she swims with anyone in the water.
As for the dolphin watch - you'll most probably see porpoises at the very least and being on a boat is a novelty in itself for a five year old so I wouldn't worry too much about the boredom factor.

BLITZ_Molloy

Are buses still running to Milltown occasionally? You could get a taxi to Spanish Point from there. It's only 5 minutes away. Kid would have his fun building sand castles and stuff and if he sees a dolphin it's a bonus.

Akrasia

I did the dolphin watch at Carrigaholt last year with my GF and her 8 year old brother. You're out on the water for well over an hour but they bring you right up to the sea cliffs in Kerry which is really really cool. (probably depends on conditions tho)
What kind of 5 year old do you have? If he likes getting splashed and enjoys the rocking of the boat then he will have a great time.

Its probably more suitable for kids a bit older though as an hour or two is like an eternity to a 5 year old and while the dolphins are cool, once you've seen them the first few times, they don't do a whole lot new to excite a small child.

pinc

I would really like him to see a live big fish.
He's obsessed with sealife,loves David Attenborough.I wanted to give him a big treat before going to school and thought something like this would be the Biz. A lot of variables to factor in though isn't there? Could be great -could be a disaster.
I'll check out the Milltown idea. That might do the trick.
Thanks
Pinc

palaver

I agree with the above: It could be boring for a child that age to go out on a boat without the promise to see anything.

To be on the safe side you could try the aquarium in Lahinch:
http://www.lahinchseaworld.com/
I've never been there yet, but for a 5y old it might be more fun than for grown-ups. And fish and other sealife is guaranteed.

Ok, it's not the real thing. But would 5y olds really mind? As long as it's really alive and swimming they wouldn't care if it's in an aquarium or the open sea. At least you can got out and buy an icecream when he gets bored and there is still the open sea and a beach in front of you.

I don't know about public transport to Lahinch. There is some, depends where you are coming from.

Macushla

I've done both of these trips this summer, and in your situation, I'd definitely recommend the Kilrush trip. The boat in Carrigaholt departs from the pier, which is almost a half hour walk from the village, whereas the Kilrush boat departs from the Marina, about five minutes walk from the Square.

Carrigaholt boat was 24 euro (I think!). The boat itself is bigger and more comfortable than the Kilrush boat. It was a fabulous day, but the dolphins were a bit elusive, so we stayed out for almost four hours and saw loads of them in the end! The boat went right out around Loop Head and very close to the cliffs where we saw thousands of guillemots...your son would love it!

Kilrush boat was 22 euro, but unfortunately we went on a really wet and overcast day. However, the captain kept going till we eventually saw some dolphins, and it was a lovely trip up the Shannon and around the islands.

So basically the Carrigaholt trip was better, but only because of things that were beyond the captain's control, i.e. the weather and the dolphins' mood!

I'd definitely bring your son out on the boat as opposed to an aquarium. Also, if you are worried about boredom, the bus to Carrigaholt takes up to an hour beyond Kilrush...he'll definitely be bored at that stage!!
Enjoy!!

BLITZ_Molloy

Oh right, if he's interested in sealife and documentaries and stuff then you've nothing to worry about. The views are pretty impressive.