Off to spot dolphins this summer?
We’ve listed some of the best places to spot dolphins right here in the South West.
Berry Head, Brixham
You won’t be disappointed with a walk to Brixham via Berry Head. It offers great views over Torbay and is great for those who enjoy a long walk. It’s also a lovely trek if you want to bring your dog.
Make sure you bring your camera, because not only does it offer amazing scenery, but you might get lucky and spot some dolphins too.
You can park your car at the Berry Head National Nature Reserve car park and then follow the path from there. If you start to get peckish, you can stop off at the Guardhouse Café for a bite to eat.
Ilfracombe Sea Safari
There’s probably no better way to spot dolphins than from the sea itself.
Ilfracombe Sea Safaris offers the ultimate wildlife experience: a Dolphin Spotting Catamaran Cruise which gives you two hours aboard a luxury 12 metre Swift Catamaran.
With the knowledgeable crew, you’ll get a personable experience, some detailed commentary, and a better chance of spotting some dolphins.
Labrador Bay, Torquay
Labrador Bay is a lovely place to stop off at when you’re going along the road to Torquay from Shaldon and dolphins are often spotted breaching out of the water around here.
You can either drive and park in the Labrador Bay Nature Reserve Car Park where there’s often an ice cream van parked in Summer. Or if you fancy a bit of a longer walk, then you can park at the Ness Car Park in Shaldon and pick up the South West Coast Path.
You’ll need to head past the little zoo and follow the path past the top of the car park. You’ll eventually see some steps on your left which will take you through the pitch-and-putt fields, from here you can continue on the path until you reach the cliffs of Labrador Bay.
Valley of Rocks, North Devon
The Valley of Rocks itself is a must-see for anyone that’s visiting Lynton and Lynmouth, but you might see some dolphins too.
There are several car parks that you can choose from, but even if you’re not a keen walker, you won’t have to go far from the car park to admire the awesome views.
Lynton and Lynmouth are also surrounded by lots of towns and villages so there’s plenty to explore and visit.
Burton Cliffs, Burton Bradstock
Any of you big fans of Broadchurch?
The Burton Cliffs are a big part of the South West Coast Path so you’ll be able to see the whole of Lyme Bay and they’re the infamous cliffs from the popular TV series.
It’s a great place for spotting dolphins but you might even see other wildlife such as whales, sharks, and lots of sea birds of course.
Why not bring a picnic with you to help pass the time while you wait?
Bolt Head, Salcombe
Situated on the outskirts of Salcombe, Bolt Head is a National Trust Headland and is a very popular viewpoint on the South West Coast Path.
Walking from Salcombe to Bolt Head isn’t too difficult – the hills are not very challenging and many people have said it’s lovely at any time of the year.
Though you’ll probably have a better chance of spotting dolphins when it’s warmer!
Plymouth Sound
Plymouth Sound is a deep inlet in the English Channel near Plymouth, and there’s plenty to do there including boat tours, fishing, kayaking, and other water sports.
Dolphins and seals too are often spotted at Plymouth Sound in the summer months.
There are lots of restaurants and bars along the waterfront so you may even be sat down for a meal when you see dolphins jumping out of the water.
