Moray Dolphins Spotting Locations
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Chanonry Point is regarded by many as the prime place to watch the Moray dolphins especially on a rising tide as they regularly come in to feed. You can download the 2020 tide times from the shop page to increase your chances of seeing dolphins.
Inverness sits on the coast and its long coastline gives great dolphin watching spots. The area around Merkinch is one of thes places. Dolphins often travel up to this area after Chanonry Point. The 2020 tide times from the shop page covers the Inverness area as well.
North Kessock is another good spot from the shoreline on the opposite side of Inverness. As with Inverness, dolphins often travel up to this area after Chanonry Point. The 2020 tide times from the shop page covers the North Kessock as well.
Fort George combine a dolphin watching trip with a visit to this historic site.
Burghead offers fantastic views over the Moray Firth and is one of Moray's dolphin spotting hotspots.
Hopeman is lovely to spend some time in, look out for the beach huts.
Spey Bay is a popular area for watching the Moray Dolphins and the dolphin centre is a popular visitor attraction.
Nairn harbour is included in the guide as it offers great views over the Moray Firth from the harbour area and for the less able, it’s convenient to view from the car (as is Hopeman).
Troup Head near Banff, is an RSPB reserve with great views over the Moray Firth and lots of seabirds including Gannets.
Remember that the dolphins are wild animals, so there's no guarantee of seeing them. However, that's part of their charm and it may take quite a few visits before you see them. If they appear, it's tempting to watch them exclusively through the camera. They're difficult to photograph so try and spend some time watching them as well - that way if the photos are not great, the memories will be!
These are not the only places to see dolphins, if you are anywhere along the coast keep an eye on the Moray Firth as you never know when they will appear!
Inverness sits on the coast and its long coastline gives great dolphin watching spots. The area around Merkinch is one of thes places. Dolphins often travel up to this area after Chanonry Point. The 2020 tide times from the shop page covers the Inverness area as well.
North Kessock is another good spot from the shoreline on the opposite side of Inverness. As with Inverness, dolphins often travel up to this area after Chanonry Point. The 2020 tide times from the shop page covers the North Kessock as well.
Fort George combine a dolphin watching trip with a visit to this historic site.
Burghead offers fantastic views over the Moray Firth and is one of Moray's dolphin spotting hotspots.
Hopeman is lovely to spend some time in, look out for the beach huts.
Spey Bay is a popular area for watching the Moray Dolphins and the dolphin centre is a popular visitor attraction.
Nairn harbour is included in the guide as it offers great views over the Moray Firth from the harbour area and for the less able, it’s convenient to view from the car (as is Hopeman).
Troup Head near Banff, is an RSPB reserve with great views over the Moray Firth and lots of seabirds including Gannets.
Remember that the dolphins are wild animals, so there's no guarantee of seeing them. However, that's part of their charm and it may take quite a few visits before you see them. If they appear, it's tempting to watch them exclusively through the camera. They're difficult to photograph so try and spend some time watching them as well - that way if the photos are not great, the memories will be!
These are not the only places to see dolphins, if you are anywhere along the coast keep an eye on the Moray Firth as you never know when they will appear!
Planning to go dolphin spotting at Chanonry Point? Fortrose & Chanonry Point Tide Times are available to download from our bookshop. As used by dolphin spotters, photographers and tourists on the Moray Firth to forecast the best times to spot dolphins. This includes guidance notes in order to get the best times to go dolphin watching at Chanonry Point and North Kessock for any particular day of the year. We also publish a comprehensive guide to watching the Moray Firth Dolphins.
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