Life on the water

Minke Whales

Minke whales surfacing beside our boat tours off Rathlin Island and the Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland. Rare, and never promised.

← All albums

A big thank you to James Allen (our crew member and guide during the 2026 season) for providing us with most of these beautiful moments and pictures. Please feel free to check him out on Instagram: @orange_in_the_blue

A minke whale breaking the surface of calm water.
A minke whale arcing through the water.
A minke whale surfacing on calm water.
A whale's fin breaking the surface.
A minke whale arching through calm water.
A minke whale's arched back at the surface.
A minke whale's fin breaking the surface off the Rathlin coast.
A minke whale breaking the surface, its body visible below.
A minke whale rolling at the surface close to the boat.
A minke whale's head surfacing right beside the boat, blowhole clearly open.
A minke whale surfacing close to the boat, seabirds feeding all around.
A minke whale's head surfacing right beside the boat.
A minke whale's fin breaking the surface, the rest of it submerged.
A minke whale's back breaking the surface, birds scattered beyond.
A minke whale's fin breaking the surface of calm water.
A minke whale's back arching high as it breaks the surface.
A minke whale's fin breaking the water, cliffs rising behind it.
A minke whale's arched back breaking the surface close to the boat.
A minke whale's fin breaking the surface, birds skimming past.
A minke whale's fin breaking the surface, Rathlin coast.
A low ripple on the water, likely a minke whale, with the coast in the distance.
A minke whale surfacing at the edge of frame.
A minke whale's back and fin breaking the surface.
A minke whale's head surfacing right beside the boat, water rolling off its back.
A minke whale's head rising through a ring of foam beside the boat.
A minke whale's head surfacing right beside the boat, spray at its nose.
A minke whale's snout just breaking the surface beside the boat.
A minke whale's back and fin breaking calm silvery water.
A minke whale's back and fin breaking calm water.
A gull flying low, a whale's fin blurred in the water behind.

Want more North Coast in your life?

Puffin facts, wildlife sightings and what is happening on the water. Twice a month, no more, no spam.