Welcome to Dolphinwatch


    Watch and Learn About Ireland's Resident
    Bottlenose Dolphins & their Habitat

  • Professionally & Expertly Guided
  • Breath-taking Coastline, Dramatic Cliffs
  • Large Spacious Boat -Plenty of Room for Passenger Comfort
  • Specially Designed for Best Up-Close Viewing
  • Listen to Dolphin Sounds with Our Hydrophone
  • Approx. 140 Dolphins - Exceptionally High Encounter Rate
  • Nesting Seabirds, Rare Coastal Species, Grey seals and More!
  • Family-run business, established in 1992
  • Leaders in Responsible Dolphin & Wildlife Watching
  • Top 10 Wildlife Attraction in Ireland - BBC Wildlife Magazine
  • Whale Watching Trips in Late Summer, Early Autumn


The Dolphinwatch Centre in the Village has information on the wildlife of the Loop Head Peninsula and a selection of gifts, local crafts, photographs & our own t-shirts & hoodies that we screen print ourselves.

Each two-hour dolphin watching boat trip is an opportunity to get close to Bottlenose Dolphins as they interact with each other in their marine environment. Our in-depth knowledge of the dolphins and their native habitat is based on our 19 years of dolphin watching experience at the Mouth of the Shannon. This Special Area of Conservation is home to about 140 dolphins, and more marine & coastal wildlife,such as, grey seals, gannets, guillemots, razorbills, choughs and peregrine falcons; even a herd of wild goats.

We are that little bit further west, which makes all the difference, as we take you on (probably) the most thrilling and memorable adventure of your holiday!

The Loop Head Peninsula won the EDEN Tourism Award 2010 for Aquatic Tourism. Watch the video.

Watch us on Eco-Eye featuring the Loop Head Peninsula.

Click here to read a passenger's wildlife blog.


Read why the Irish Times recommends us for things to do with the kids at the end of summer (or anytime)!

The famous Long Dock Pub & Restaurant gives special offers to our passengers.

Purchase a Dolphinwatch Gift Voucher on-line.

Rated in the Top Ten Wildlife Attractions in Ireland - BBC Wildlife Magazine, July 2010.

"Some of the most spectacular marine wildlife is just at our doorstep...so, get out there and explore it. I promise you it will be well worth it and you’ll enjoy it." - Duncan Stewart, Presenter, Eco-Eye, during our trip.


Photos courtesy of:

Brian Doyle at Loophead Studio, Carsten Krieger www.carsteinkrieger.co.uk, Trevor Elliott, Anneli Englund Bill Ryan
& Julian M Watson, Tim Stenton, passengers.










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Photos courtesy of Carsten Krieger
www.carstenkrieger.co.uk

For a tutorial on photographing the Shannon Dolphins click here.

What one of our passengers wrote:
 “Our eighth trip on Draíocht and not the last!! Superb!!!” É. Ó Floinn, Co. Wicklow


Dolphinwatch Gift Vouchers are available for a unique present.

Carrigaholt, Loop Head Peninsula, Co. Clare
Tel. +353-(0)65-905-8156 / email

“Last year we went dolphin watching with Dolphinwatch in Carrigaholt. This is a very professional operation and I was greatly impressed. There is great emphasis on safety, which is very reassuring. The employees were friendly, helpful and well-informed. The trip itself was excellent and great value for money. We also found the dolphins to be extremely friendly, courteous and helpful.”

Trip Advisor Review