with Emily Stevenson of Beach Guardian and Dr. Roger Wood (Cornwall Science Community)
Saturday, 25th March; 11am-2pm (approximately) and 2:45–5:45pm (approximately). Cruise leaves from and returns to Falmouth Premier Marina. See end of post for booking details.
Please note that due to high interest we now have two cruises on the same date. Both will be accompanied by Emily Stevenson.
AKWC will strive to make your day enjoyable by helping you get to know the beautiful animals in our region and engage with Cornwall’s wonderful marine environment. Join us in search of some of the fantastic marine wildlife to be found in Falmouth Bay, such as seabirds, dolphins, seals and basking sharks!
These 4 hour (minimum) wildlife cruises are a superb way to see the spectacular coastline and surrounding waters, and are popular with all ages.
You will spend your trip exploring the southern coast of Cornwall as we cruise under the impressive granite cliffs, and search for wild animals which inhabit this region of the British Isles, such as huge basking sharks, harbour porpoises, bottlenose dolphins, grey seals and a diversity of coastal birds. We will then spend some time offshore in search of pelagic species such as common dolphins, minke whales and storm petrels.
If for any reason the weather becomes too rough to leave the Carrick Roads and head offshore, we will still continue with the trip but head back up the Carrick Roads and explore our wonderful and wildlife rich Fal estuary. Please bring warm clothes and full waterproofs. Binoculars recommended.
We shall be joined by Emily Stevenson, who has given two superb recent talks for the Cornwall Science Community and is the founder of Beach Guardian.
Emily will be talking with us about primary and second microplastics, and, as part of the cruise, will be collecting microplastics from the ocean using wildlife-friendly methods.
The skipper, Captain Keith, has vast experience of working in the private boat chartering business over the many years of his long-standing career. Throughout this time, he has worked closely with such people as Dame Ellen MacArthur, working as her towboat captain during her record-breaking round the world trip. He has also worked alongside a selected team in the “Whitbread Round the World Race”, plus several other cross-Atlantic challenges that finished off at the Lizard Point in Cornwall. Keith is a dedicated, professional wildlife guide, who, in the past, has worked with “The Really Wild Show” and their presenter, Michaela Strachan, filming basking sharks.
Furthermore, he has carried out survey work for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) and the RSPB. AK Wildlife Cruises were the very first operator in the UK to endorse and sign up to the nationally accredited “WiSe” scheme, as well as being endorsed by the SeaWatch Foundation and the WDCS, ensuring sensitive interaction with all the marine mammals and birds observed during their “seafari” excursions.
Please note, AK Wildlife Cruises and Cornwall Science Community cannot guarantee any specific wildlife sightings.
The boat, RV Spirit of Our Seas is a catamaran with modern toilet facilities and open outdoor seating provided for all guests, so you can enjoy a truly comfortable journey as we explore the beautiful coastline in search of wildlife.
AK Wildlife Cruises are fully insured and coded as required by the MCA, and with first aid trained staff and full safety equipment on board, you can sit back and enjoy the trip as all is taken care for you. The boat is licensed to carry up to twelve guests plus two crew members. Keeping parties intimate gives you more space and better chance to speak with the fantastically knowledgeable crew.
The reduced cost, for this Cornwall Science Community Wildlife Cruise, will be £63 per person. There are a maximum of 7 places available at the time of writing.
The cruise will depart from Falmouth Premier Marina, North Parade, Falmouth. TR11 2TD
Bookings and payment will need to be made directly with AK Wildlife Cruises. Please e-mail info@akwildlifecruises.co.uk or call Jess on 07553 606 838.
Further details may be found at https://www.akwildlifecruises.co.uk/ and https://www.akwildlifecruises.co.uk/trip-info/
Dr. Roger Wood, the Cornwall Science Community’s Project Officer, will also be on the cruise. If you would like to let Roger know that you have booked a place, not least as a means of having a ‘friendly face’ looking out for you at the Marina, please feel free to e-mail him at dwood@brookes.ac.uk.
Cornwall Science Community 