Boat users who see dolphins, whales or porpoises are asked to respect their environment and right to freedom and privacy – and in so doing encourage them to breed and interact with each other in a natural way

If you encounter cetaceans on passage, do keep a steady course and slow speed. However, if you wish to observe them always cut your engine completely and drift, limiting your time to a maximum of 15 minutes.

Boats and dolphins can coexist if care is taken to observe the following code of conduct.

Do not chase dolphins or drive a boat directly towards them; wherever possible, let them approach you.

Do not respond to them by changing course or speed in a sudden or erratic manner – slowing down or stopping suddenly can confuse and alarm dolphins as much as sudden acceleration.

Avoid dolphins with young.

Do not swim with, touch or feed dolphins – for your safety and for theirs.

Ensure that no more than one boat is within 100 yards, or three boats within half a mile of dolphins at any one time.

If you must observe, limit your time to 15 minutes, and then leave the dolphins to their own peace and quiet.

Bottlenose dolphin

Pilot whale

Risso dolphin