Marine Discovery
Marine Discovery
5
Boat ToursSightseeing ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife Tours
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Full view
About
Inspiring sea safari sailing trips aboard a ten metre catamaran, with the winners of the 2013 Responsible World Whale Watch Awards . A voyage on "Shearwater II" gives you the best opportunity to find the marine wildlife of south west Cornwall, including seals, porpoises, seabirds, dolphins, basking sharks and whales. All trips are fully guided with experienced and entertaining guides, who are trained educators. Shearwater II takes just 12 passengers and 2 crew, so you get a great view of the wildlife and the views without having to peer over other people. Please call or email to enquire. Fully licenced and insured NB please remember that sightings of specific species cannot be guaranteed and that we advertise this fact widely. Therefore the most useful and accurate reviews of our company rate us on the factors we can directly control e.g. customer service, politeness, ease of booking, quality of welcome and so on, rather than whether the reviewer saw the exact species they wanted. Marine Discovery is shut between November and March due to weather constraints and winter maintenance. If in doubt, call to check.
Penzance, Cornwall, England
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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5.0
261 reviews
Excellent
241
Very good
16
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
1
tbagpuss
UK299 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
I was very impressed with the trip and crew - it was a rather grey October morning and the sea was quite choppy- we were loaned waterproofs as needed, and then went out initially with the engines and then sailing, giving us a very enjoyable (if wet and bouncy!) trip even without the wildlife.
We were very lucky and saw grey seals (including juveniles), lots of birds including Manx and Cory's Shearwaters, a couple of Portuguese Man O'War jellyfish (very impressed that anyone could spot something so comparatively small, in quite choppy water!) and then Tuna fish and Common Dolphins.
Very happy with the whole experience - the instructions beforehand were clear, the crew onboard were friendly, very knowledgeable and clearly experienced, and I felt the trip was excellent value for money .
We were very lucky and saw grey seals (including juveniles), lots of birds including Manx and Cory's Shearwaters, a couple of Portuguese Man O'War jellyfish (very impressed that anyone could spot something so comparatively small, in quite choppy water!) and then Tuna fish and Common Dolphins.
Very happy with the whole experience - the instructions beforehand were clear, the crew onboard were friendly, very knowledgeable and clearly experienced, and I felt the trip was excellent value for money .
Written 11 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sophie and Mike
5 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
This was the most incredible trip from start to finish. Duncan and Josh were the most friendly, informative and welcoming guides, they shared so much information about the animals we saw (we felt like we were listening to a David Attenborough documentary!).
We were incredibly lucky and managed to see dolphins, seals, tuna and porpoise!! If you are looking for a boat trip, this is the one you need to pick!! Well priced, a comfortable ride and full of amazing facts.
We were incredibly lucky and managed to see dolphins, seals, tuna and porpoise!! If you are looking for a boat trip, this is the one you need to pick!! Well priced, a comfortable ride and full of amazing facts.
Written 23 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OnAir05998227931
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Couples
This was a birthday present for me from husband, we both absolutely loved it! Great boat, really knowledgeable hosts who obviously care deeply for local wildlife. We saw porpoises, dolphins, gannets, Manx shearwater, gulls, seals, jellyfish and bluefin tuna! Thank you for a wonderful afternoon
Written 16 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cornish_Andy
St Austell, UK176 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We had the most amazing trip with Marine Discovery. We were made to feel very welcome from the moment we arrived. Our guides, Duncan and Hannah, were extremely knowledgeable. The catamaran has plenty of space for all providing excellent views of everything going on around us. We were extremely lucky to have fantastic weather together with viewings of Seals, Bottlenose Dolphins with calves and Common Dolphins, the latter seemed to really enjoy riding around the catamaran. We would highly recommend this company.
Written 6 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue H
Redruth, UK7 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
This morning my friend Helen and I went on a Marine Discovery trip from Penzance a present from her lovely son. We were both so excited and and looking forward to the trip regardless of what marine life we saw. Hannah and Ducan are such knowledgable people who clearly care deeply about wildlife and how others experience it. The boat we were on is fabulous and so suited to watching marine wildlife. Both Helen and I really wanted to see dolphins as they seem to avoid us, we went to Portugal a few years ago and our much anticipated dolphin watching boat trip was cancelled! I'm sure or own Cornish experience was far better, only minutes out of Penzance harbour we were treated to the wonderful sight of beautiful dolphins everywhere we looked! Having waited so long to see Dolphins in the wild we were both quite tearful, what a perfect day. The whole trip was wonderful the Cornish coast is stunning and we also saw seals and lots of seabirds. The Dolphins were without doubt the stars of the trip so many thanks to all at Marine Discovery for giving us a day to remember. If you want a boat trip go on this one these guys know their stuff! We will be back!
Sue Hedges. Cornwall
Sue Hedges. Cornwall
Written 4 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Russell G
Church Stretton, UK78 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We recently went on this boat trip and have to say it was a fantastic trip.
The skipper and assistant are really friendly and know their stuff. They were extremely knowledgeable about the area and how to spot wildlife.
We saw dolphins, porpoises, seals, wild tuna and numerous sea birds.
The boat itself is a catamaran and you can ride on the netting on the front if you don't mind getting splashed, our 12 yr old loved doing that 😀
The crew also log all sittings for conservation records which I personally think is excellent.
Our trip was scheduled for 4hrs but we went over to spot more wildlife which was an added bonus.
Would definitely recommend this boat trip.
The skipper and assistant are really friendly and know their stuff. They were extremely knowledgeable about the area and how to spot wildlife.
We saw dolphins, porpoises, seals, wild tuna and numerous sea birds.
The boat itself is a catamaran and you can ride on the netting on the front if you don't mind getting splashed, our 12 yr old loved doing that 😀
The crew also log all sittings for conservation records which I personally think is excellent.
Our trip was scheduled for 4hrs but we went over to spot more wildlife which was an added bonus.
Would definitely recommend this boat trip.
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denzil M
Penzance, UK3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Excellent tour, skipper shared lots of interesting insights into the effects of climate change on the local populations of common dolphins and other wildlife, knowledgable and really respectful of the wildlife. Great to be out largely under sail too, in the environment rather than motoring through it. Splann yw!
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loulabelleh
Newquay, UK14 contributions
Aug 2023
A wonderful experience watching the local wildlife from the comfort of an environmentally-friendly catarmaran - seals, dolphins, gannets, shearwaters..... Also a great view of the Cornish coastline from Penzance around to the Minnack Theatre. Duncan and Josh are both extremely knowledgeable about the animals we encountered. Seeing 4 different pods of common dolphin was a real treat and who knew that gannets are so big?!
My husband and I went on the 3 hour trip with only 9 other people so it's a very personal experience. We would thoroughly recommend this trip.
My husband and I went on the 3 hour trip with only 9 other people so it's a very personal experience. We would thoroughly recommend this trip.
Written 17 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mathias_beller
5 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
My wife, my son (10 1/2 years old), and I took the three hour tour. The weather was pretty windy, and conditions were described as "choppy". Indeed, there were waves, but the vessel was much more comfortable as compared to a normal boat. We were extremely happy to see many very active dolphins (two different species) and seabirds. The sailing trip was a real pleasure! The crew is extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and pleasant (we both are biologists and still learned exciting details). Highly recommend!
Written 15 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie B
Plymouth, UK4 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
I love a boat trip.
This isn't just a boat trip, it's an education.
These people know their subject and their enthusiasm for it is infectious.
It's always a pleasure to see and learn about this incredible world we live in and this trip was an absolute delight.
This isn't just a boat trip, it's an education.
These people know their subject and their enthusiasm for it is infectious.
It's always a pleasure to see and learn about this incredible world we live in and this trip was an absolute delight.
Written 27 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicola P
1 contribution
Hi, is there a toilet on the boat that goes on the bay discovery tour - the 2 hour tour, please, thank you
Hannah J
Penzance, UK14 contributions
Hi Nicola, thanks for the message. Yes we have a toilet on "Shearwater II". This is down in one of the hulls, and is accessed by a couple of steps.
Cheers
Marine Discovery
honey l
Greater London, UK
Hello
We’re looking to organise a trip for 5 adults and 2 children .
Can you recommend any trips for a Monday or Tuesday
Many thanks
Hannah J
Penzance, UK14 contributions
Hi, thanks for the email. Best thing to do is check the availability on the wesbite (which Trip Advisor won't allow me to link to). All the trips are listed and you can either book online or give us a call in office hours on 07749 277110.
Thanks
Hannah
sonia061268
staffordshire1 contribution
Hi could you please tell me the price for 2 the first week of September please
Hannah J
Penzance, UK14 contributions
Hi
If you go on our website to the Trips page that will give the different prices for the various length trips. I'm not allowed to post a link to the website but searching for us on google will take you straight to it. If you'd like to book, please can you contact us direct - thanks.
Prices are the same throughout the year
Cheers
Hannah
sonia061268
staffordshire1 contribution
hi do you have any spaces for first week in September please
Hannah J
Penzance, UK14 contributions
Hi Sonia,
thanks for the message. Yes we have plenty of space the first week of September. Please get in touch either by email or phone to book.
Thanks,
Hannah
Janet S
County Durham, UK12 contributions
Hi is trip suitable to take an 18 month old and a 78 year old with mobility issues?
Hannah J
Penzance, UK14 contributions
Hi thanks for the message. While we are fine to take people on with mobility issues, our minimum age for the Bay Discovery (hour and a half) trip is three, and for the Ocean Discovery (three hours) it's six years old. This is because it's an open sailing boat not suitable for very little children. We do our best to accommodate different needs and disabilities, though you do need to have a bit of mobility to access the boat. Once on, there is secure bench seating at the back of the boat.
If you've any further questions please check out our website or give me a call.
Hannah
Nosox40
16 contributions
Do you have space for 8 on 22nd Aug? For my birthday treat.
Hannah J
Penzance, UK14 contributions
Hi thanks for the message. I'm afraid we don't have any space for eight for the rest of August. At this time of year trips fill up well in advance as we only hold 12. Sorry about that.
Best wishes
Hannah
J G
129 contributions
hi thank you for your response. Is there availability on any of your other trips? We are down in Cornwall from 19 to 26 August?
Hannah J
Penzance, UK14 contributions
Hello, the only availability we have are two spaces on Friday 25th at 1.30pm, if two of you wanted to do it? Please give us a call if so - 07749277110.
Hannah
J G
129 contributions
We are coming down to Cornwall next week. We have 6 in our party so will we need to book in advance for the 3 hour trip? If so what is your availability? Also where is the best place to park? Thank you
Hannah J
Penzance, UK14 contributions
Hi thanks for the message. I don't know how long you're around but I'm afraid we can't fit a group that size on until the 30th August. It gets booked up very early at this time of year - sorry about that.
Kind regards
Hannah Jones