Ten reasons why The Company of Whales remains your No. 1 choice...
No. 1 for Experience...
The Company of Whales is the most experienced whale watching holiday company operating in the Bay of Biscay - and that's undisputed! Not only were we the first operator to discover this world-class whale watching destination, we have also continued to gain the greatest experience by running nearly ten times as many trips per year compared to our nearest "competitors". Since 1996 we've crossed the Bay over 350 times and clocked up in excess of 145,000 whales and dolphins! Although the majority of our holidays are operated for individuals, The Company of Whales is delighted to have been awarded contracts to supply holidays to WDCS, RSPB, CSMA, Bird Watching Magazine, Battersea Dogs Home, the Environment Agency and La Société Guernesiaise. Naturally, such high profile organisations choose their partners very carefully - we are therefore very proud to be their number one choice for operating wildlife adventures across the Bay of Biscay.
No. 1 from Day One...
Our first-class service begins the day you contact The Company of Whales.
Unlike some operators we run a very successful full-time wildlife-watching
business and offer the support you would expect from a company that claims
to be the best. With The Company of Whales, you can pick up the phone or send
us an e mail and communicate with some of the folk who will actually guide
your trips! All of our staff are intimately familiar with our holidays and
are able to provide advice on absolutely everything relevant to your trip.
Anybody who thirsts after additional information not provided by our dedicated
full-colour brochure can delve into our free 25 page pre-departure booklet.
Our guests tell us that this is the most detailed document they have ever
received prior to going on any holiday! And you can keep up to date with sightings
close to your departure date - our latest
news page on this site carries comprehensive details and photographs of
our observations and is updated every evening our trips return to Portsmouth.
No. 1 for Location...
Our research has shown that the Bay of Biscay has a diversity and abundance
of cetaceans which is unbeatable in Europe, and comparable to the very
best whale watching locations in the world. But it's not just the whales
and dolphins that make our trips so exciting. As well as the 20 species
of cetacean recorded so far, we have also seen an incredible 162 species
of bird, 40 species of butterfly, over 100 species of flowering plant,
and all manner of mammals, reptiles, insects, fish and sharks during our
three-day mini-cruises.
No. 1 for Affordability...
Our holidays offer one of the most affordable means of encountering whales
and dolphins from the United Kingdom. Why else would we welcome so many
individuals, families and take a growing number of group and charitable
bookings every year?
No. 1 for Views...
Our exclusive whale watching platform on the Pride of Bilbao offers the
most stable, panoramic and sheltered observation deck available in the
Bay of Biscay. It's exclusive to us and you'll be there with thirty like-minded
individuals and our expert guides, who ensure everybody sees the animals
on view. Very different to a trip where you could be part of a 300-strong
melee struggling for views of whales, dolphins and seabirds and having
them called out to you by a tannoy announcement! Our platform is so stable
that we regularly use telescopes to identify distant cetaceans, but we
have to be careful not to miss those dolphins racing into the bow! The
photographic opportunities can therefore also be outstanding.
No. 1 for Expertise & Professionalism...
The Company of Whales prides itself on the professionalism of its guides
and the team includes some of Britain's leading experts on marine mammals.
They were hand-picked for their field experience and are superb sall-rounders,
with an understanding of all aspects of natural history. Just as important,
our guides are friendly, outgoing team-players, at your service, to make
your holiday as enjoyable as possible. We may be blowing our own trumpet
but unlike other companies, our guides' expertise is tempered with the
necessary caution required when viewing wildlife at sea - an environment
which can be very deceptive. However, spectacular and unusual sightings
occur during many of our holidays, and our guides have confirmed the occurrence
of some of the rarest through detailed field notes backed up with photographic
proof. The many highlights have included True's Beaked Whales - the first
and second-ever confirmed live sightings in the world - and Europe's third-ever
Masked Booby!
No. 1 for Weather...
Let's dispel the myth that the Bay of Biscay is a rough place! Of course
choppy seas are possible anywhere in the world, but during our operating
season, poor weather is pretty rare. In fact, the environmental data that
we collate on every trip shows that calm seas and excellent weather conditions
prevail - with 88% of our trips completed in a sea state of three or less
(few or no white caps to the waves). Compared to many of Europe's top
whale watching destinations, including the Azores, Straits of Gibraltar
and the west coast of Scotland, fair weather in the Bay of Biscay is far
more predictable and long-lasting. Of course if the weather does deteriorate,
there is no better place to be than onboard a 37,000 ton fully stabilised
ship with a high viewing platform, enabling us to search for cetaceans
amongst the waves.
No. 1 for The Vessel...
Our long-term partnership with P&O Ferries, and our relationship with
the staff and crew of the Pride of Bilbao goes a long way to making sure
you have a trip of a lifetime! The Pride of Bilbao may not have been designed
for whale watching, but what other whale watching vessel could offer such
choice and comfort? With a selection of restaurants and bars to suit your
needs, as well as two cinemas, a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, gym, beauty
salon and onboard shopping, this recently refurbished cruise-ferry really
does have something for everybody.
No. 1 for Genuine Ecotourism...
We all have a responsibility to protect the wildlife which gives us so
much pleasure and The Company of Whales takes that responsibility very
seriously. We are the primary collector of research data in the Bay of
Biscay, with around 25 surveys taking place between April and October
every year. This data has contributed significantly to our understanding
of the distribution and relative abundance of marine life. During this
time we have also financially supported the work of numerous conservation
charities, many working full-time to protect the marine environment.
No. 1 for Choice....
Our mini-cruises offer so much choice that there really should be something
for everybody to enjoy. Our itineraries offer the maximum flexibility
with regards to departure dates - we don't run just one trip a year and
claim it to be the "Best Pelagic Trip in Biscay". Our itineraries
enable you to spend as much or as little time wildlife watching as you
like. Even during our morning in Spain there is a selection of options
to choose from, including a wildlife walk, a trip to old-town Bilbao,
a tour of a traditional fishing village or some local shopping. Back on
our whale watching platform you have the freedom to relax and enjoy the
sunshine, help us spot the wildlife, or actively participate in gathering
data as part of our research programme.