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Whales and Dolphins of Moray Firth

This 5,000-square-kilometer embayment, surrounded by majestic cliffs, rolling farmland, and heritage fishing villages, is fed by both warm and cold waters from the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. Its productive waters attract an abundance of fish, providing rich feeding grounds for marine mammals and seabirds. As many as 22 species of whales and dolphins have been sighted here, and the firth is a key habitat for harbor porpoises, bottlenose dolphins, and minke whales, all of which have suffered from declines in European waters in recent decades. The only population of bottlenose dolphins in the North Sea can be found here, and… more

Whales and Dolphins of Moray Firth

This 5,000-square-kilometer embayment, surrounded by majestic cliffs, rolling farmland, and heritage fishing villages, is fed by both warm and cold waters from the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. Its productive waters attract an abundance of fish, providing rich feeding grounds for marine mammals and seabirds. As many as 22 species of whales and dolphins have been sighted here, and the firth… more

Trip at-a-glance

Price: From $2,549* per person
Lodging: all_inclusive
When: June-October
Number of days: 12
Group size: 8

This trip is offered by:

Earthwatch Institute

Call them at 800-776-0188 about this trip and mention you saw it at TravelDragon, or contact them.

Trip details

Working with Robinson and his colleagues from the Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit, you will take to the water in 5.4-meter rigid-hulled inflatable boats to conduct systematic surveys of the southern firth. You will be trained to spot and identify whales and dolphins, and to record data such as the composition and structure of groups, their behavior, and geographic position. You will also take photographs for individual identification. Back at the lab, especially during inclement weather, you will help identify individuals from photographs, catalogue images, and enter data. Your team may also be called upon to help with live whale and dolphin strandings, as the need arises. In your spare time, there are rare seabird colonies, coastal wildflowers, castles, and Pictish ruins to experience.

Your team will share a rented cottage in the heart of a traditional fishing village, rich in local history and colorful characters. You will share a bedroom with one or two of your teammates, sleeping on beds in your own sleeping bag. The cottage has modern bathroom facilities, and a full kitchen. Cooking and cleaning duties will be shared on a rotational basis, using locally available ingredients. After dinner, the local pub is pleased to serve a very good range of ales in a friendly atmosphere.

As an Eons member, you'll get a free, 1 year membership to Earthwatch — a $35 value — when you sign up on any expedition. And members pay $100 less on their expedition contribution — so you save $135! Just put code EONS2007 in the comment field on the signup form, or, if you call, tell the Expedition Coordinator that you found us on Eons.

Earthwatch expedition-related costs may be tax-deductible in the US as volunteer expenses. Please check with your tax adviser.

*TRAVEL INFORMATION DISCLAIMER: Travel product and pricing information are the travel provider’s base estimates, published here as a convenience to TravelDragon users without verification by TravelDragon. Your actual price will vary depending upon length of trip, travel dates, number of traveling guests, transportation (e.g. airfare, rail passes, etc.), and optional service features such as room categories or individualized food requirements. This base price estimate may or may not include all necessary fees, taxes, government-imposed surcharges. Be sure to confirm availability, total price and trip details with the travel provider using the contact information provided here.

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