Description
At 2.5 to 3.5 metres when fully grown, the sight of bottlenosed dolphins launching themselves out of the water is truly breathtaking. They are usually in groups, or pods, of between 10 and 30 with all ages among them and have a much larger, more triangular shaped dorsal fin than porpoise. They can be very boisterous with younger ones chasing each other and can come very close to the shore.

When
Unfortunately they are not here all the time. They can make an appearance at any time of the year and once here tend to spend a few days in the islands waters so luck can play a huge part in whether you will see them.

Where

When they are here, the dolphins can appear anywhere round the island. You may well here others talk about them if they are here as the sight of them is so memorable so keep an ear open- the sight of them at play is one of the few wildlife spectacles that even the locals will stop to admire.
Dolphins can approach boats underway and if they do this it can be a breathtaking experience, but please don’t chase after them- if they want to interact with your boat then enjoy the experience but they will decide when they have had enough.

To see them never fails to raise the spirits and brings a smile on even the most miserable of days.

Description
These are the smallest of the cetaceans in these waters at 1.3-1.8 metres in length. Porpoise spend most of their time in small groups well offshore and have a diet of fish and crustaceans. On a calm day you may see their rounded black backs topped by a very small dorsal fin breaking the waters surface.

When
All year

Where
Time spent scanning the sea on a calm day may provide a glimpse of porpoise. The ferry is a good place to see them from as they usually don’t come too close to the shore.

Description
At up to 11metres long these are giants of the Clyde. The only part of these massive creatures you are likely to see however is their fin protruding from the water, sometimes accompanied by the top of their tails and the tip of their snout, as they cruise along feeding. Basking sharks feed on microscopic plankton, which they filter from the water so have no teeth.

When
Warm calm weather in August or September provides the best chance of seeing a basking shark.

Where
They can be seen anywhere round the island, you need an element of luck to be in the right place at the right time. If you happen to be in a boat when you see one please don’t harass it by going too close. They may approach your boat so be ready to prevent injuring them.

Description

They grow up to 1.5 metres with males reaching 130kilos and eat fish, crustaceans and molluscs. Frequently seen hauled out onto rocks when the fine spots of colour on their coats can be more easily seen. Their facial appearance is often described as “puppy” like with round doleful eyes and nostrils, which form a distinctive v-shape. Although more numerous round Arran than the Atlantic grey, common seals are actually declining in numbers nationwide.

When
All year.

Where
Common seals can be seen in groups hauled out at favourite spots round the island. The road between Corrie and Sannox provides good views as does the shore near the entrance to Brodick Castle. Groups can also be seen in Kildonan and at the end of the Newton Shore on the north side of Lochranza.