Location: Kilrush Creek Marina
Kilrush
County Clare
About Dolphin Discovery
The West Clare Peninsula in County
Clare guards the northern shore of the
Shannon Estuary. It is here where Ireland’s
only resident group of bottlenose dolphins
reside. Over one hundred dolphins have
been identified using the estuary at different times. Calves are born each year and they
are usually encountered on the cruises.
The Dolphin Discovery Cruise takes about two hours, passing the islands of
Hog and Scattery. Dolphins are successfully
located on over 98% of the trips.
All skippers operating the Dolphin
Discovery Cruises are locals and they carry
a Certificate of Competency as Master from
Ireland’s Department of Transport Marine
Survey Office. Dolphin Discovery is the
longest-established marine tourism operator
on the Shannon Estuary in County Clare.
They have operated safely for over thirty years.
A new “Dolphin Discovery” ship was
specially built in 2007. It is 18 meters in
length with a beam of 6.5 meters. She can carry up to eighty passengers and three crew. It is the only dolphin-watching vessel
on the Shannon built to the exacting
standards of the EU Passenger Ship Rules
98/18 EC. It ensures safety and comfort.
There is inside cushioned seating and male/female and wheelchair wc’s and a bar/shop.on board. The ship is a catamaran which means it has two hulls that provides
an extremely stable platform for viewing
and picture-taking.
Dolphins are curious, playful, unpredictable
animals, whose charming antics are bound to amaze and delight. They are inquisitive
animals that frequently approach boats and bowride.
Phone: (+) 353 65 9051327
Fax: (+) 353 65 9051327
Website: www.discoverdolphins.ie
Contact: Geraldine Cahill
Scattery Island Ferries, Ltd.
Cappa Upper
Kilrush, County Clare
Ireland
Email: info@discoverdolphins.ie
Prices 2008 Season:
adult 22 euros
children 10 euros
school tours 9 euros
groups of
20 or more 10% discount
Prior booking is advisable at least one
day prior to your intended trip
Bookings for school, corporate, and
group tours are taken from January
Sailing Times:
April subject to demand, call for details
May subject to demand, call for details
June 2 sailings, morning and afternoon
July 3 sailings, 1 morning, 2 afternoon
August 3 sailings, 1 morning, 2 afternoon
Sept. subject to demand, call for details
Oct. subject to demand, call for details
During peak season, demand for the trips
is very high and the booking line may be busy. Please be patient and your call will
be answered.
Typical sailing times during this period
are 11:15 a.m., 2:15 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.
All sailings are weather-permitting and
subject to minimum numbers.
Sailing times may change at short notice
to facilitate extra sailings or because of
tidal conditions. Sailing times will be
confirmed at time of booking.
Recognitions:
-Failte Ireland
-National Parks and Wildlife Service
Accredited Operator
-Dolphin Gateway Committee Member
-SDWF Committee Member
-Mid West Tourism Learning
Network Member
Dolphin Discovery is dedicated to the
protection of the Shannon Dolphins and
their habitat and works closely with Dr.
Simon Berrow, Project Manager for the
Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation,
to ensure that the trips are carried out in a
dolphin-friendly manner.
