Marine Discovery Penzance is an internationally award winning* wildlife watching company located in the beautiful Far West of Cornwall. They offer a range of voyages on board their unique sailing catamaran "Shearwater II" which aim to introduce passengers to the wonders of the local marine environment. Trips are guided by enthusiastic and experienced crew, whose knowledge of the local marine environment and its wildlife is unsurpassed. Your trip could encounter animals as diverse as inquisitive grey seals, massive basking sharks, playful dolphins, wonderful seabirds, or even giants such as minke whales. You will learn all about the species encountered as well as being given an entertaining commentary as you sail along this coastline which is so rich in history and heritage. Sailing on "Shearwater II" means you are safe in the knowledge that you have chosen the most environmentally friendly experience of this type possible - whenever possible the sails are hoisted and the engines are cut, and you can even have a go on the helm if you like and the skipper deems conditions suitable!

Of course, this is the ocean and some species are seasonal, so no sightings can be guaranteed, but the vast majority of trips do encounter a range of wildlife, and Marine Discovery's wildlife sightings are consistently the best in Cornwall. Check out their sightings blog for daily updates. They are also involved with Whale Watch International, an organisation dedicated to the sustainable and responsible development of the industry worldwide, and in 2013 won the *International Responsible Whale Watch Award*.

Seasonality: the following months show when peak sightings occur, though of course this can vary and nothing is guaranteed. 

March-May - seabirds such as guillemots, razorbills, puffins and shearwaters

May - August - basking sharks

May - August - ocean sunfish

July - October - common dolphins and porpoises

August - September - minke whales

July - September - Manx, sooty and Balearic shearwaters, gannets

Possible all year round - seals and bottlenose dolphins