Officially the UK’s best ferry route for wildlife spotting for the 4th consecutive year
For the fourth year running, Isles of Scilly Travel’s breathtaking ferry route between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has been named the best in the UK for spotting wildlife.
The accolade comes from ORCA, the leading marine conservation charity whose volunteers have carried out dedicated surveys from the decks of Scillonian III since 2009.
The route continues to stand out as the richest and most accessible wildlife watching corridor in the country – giving passengers the unique chance to witness some of the UK’s most spectacular marine life during their journey to the islands.
An amazing 599 individual animals were recorded on 14 different surveys between March and October, including whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and tuna.
Highlights of the year include 137 animals being recorded on a single survey in August, and six different species recorded on a single crossing in September.
Sharon Sandercock, Marketing Manager for Isles of Scilly Travel, said: “The crossing between Penzance and St Mary’s is a very special route, not only for the island communities it supports but for the incredible wildlife encounters it brings to thousands of passengers each year.
“Our partnership with ORCA highlights just how important this stretch of water is, and we’re delighted their volunteers continue to make these magical sightings from Scillonian III.”
This year, 250 more animals were spotted than in 2024 – but still fewer than in 2023 – highlighting the importance of the year-on-year, continued monitoring by ORCA, with trends and shifts in distribution being reported on in real time, which is critical for cetacean conservation.
Common dolphins were the species recorded most frequently, with 450 individuals spotted. This is almost double the number seen in 2024 and could suggest a shift in distribution. Common dolphins were seen throughout the year and throughout the length of the journey, with some large aggregations of feeding dolphins with tuna and diving birds.
Risso’s dolphin sightings remained high again this year compared to the long-term pattern, with 11 animals seen in 2025. Research is mounting to suggest that warming oceans have altered the life cycles and distribution of some of their prey species in the English Channel and western approaches, which could explain a change in occurrence.
Lucy Babey, Deputy Director of ORCA, said: “The 2025 ORCA survey season has come to a close and showcases once again the importance of the long-term partnership between Isles of Scilly Travel and ORCA.
“Since 2009 teams of highly trained volunteer marine mammal surveyors have conducted scientific surveys for marine wildlife from Scillonian lll. This year-on-year, continued monitoring by ORCA enables trends and shifts in cetacean distribution being reported on in real-time – essential for cetacean conservation.
“This year our teams recorded more animals and species than in 2024, with almost 600 individual animals across eight different marine species recorded, including whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and fish.
“We are so proud to work with the Isles of Scilly Travel on the crossing between Penzance and St Mary‘s, and we can’t wait to be back on board in 2026.”