Newquay, Cornwall – Spectacular humpback whale sightings off the coast of Newquay have drawn visitors from across the country, with many comparing the experience to witnessing a rare astronomical event.
The Cornwall Wildlife Trust reported being “inundated” with reports of cetacean sightings in recent weeks, confirming at least five individual whales across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The rare appearances of these majestic creatures have captivated nature enthusiasts, some of whom have traveled hundreds of miles for a chance to glimpse the marine giants in action.
Among them was Ron Prescott from Bromsgrove, near Birmingham, who described his experience as awe-inspiring. Mr. Prescott, who was among a crowd of around 100 people at Bedruthan Steps on Thursday, recalled the moment when a fellow whale-watcher spotted a humpback whale in the distance.
“It just makes the hairs on your arms stand up; it’s an amazing feeling,” he said. “What an amazing sight to see, it’s incredible.”
The sight was so mesmerizing that Mr. Prescott, who frequently visits the South West due to family ties, found it difficult to leave.
“I don’t want to go home, that’s the problem,” he admitted. “But I’ll be back in the next few days. Being with a group is the best thing because you’ve got lots of eyes on the water—if you miss it, someone else spots it.”
Comparing the experience to the unforgettable solar eclipse of 1999, Mr. Prescott described the sense of excitement as an electrifying “buzz.”
The surge of visitors to Newquay has included wildlife enthusiasts Karen and Ellie Young, a mother and daughter duo who traveled from Southampton in hopes of seeing the whales firsthand.
Karen shared her delight at spotting the whales in action. “It’s been very lovely to see them. You’ll see the dorsal fins and tails, but definitely look for the spray from their blowhole—that’s how you know where they are.”
She explained that the whales dive deep to feed before resurfacing to breathe, often lifting their tails as they submerge again.
“It’s very exciting,” she added.
The Youngs are avid wildlife watchers who have traveled the world to observe marine life, including a recent trip to Iceland where they encountered humpback whales up close.
“We are a bit geeky when it comes to cetaceans,” Karen admitted. “We’ve been all around the world looking at whales and dolphins.”
For locals like Ian Boreham, who lives in Newquay and participates in wildlife monitoring with Cornwall Wildlife Trust, the recent whale sightings are particularly special.
“We’ve got such a range of marine life around our shores—porpoises, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and now humpback whales, which have been spectacular,” Mr. Boreham said.
Having previously seen minke and fin whales, he was thrilled to encounter a breaching humpback whale while on a boat trip.
“To see the whole body lift out of the water was just spectacular,” he said.
As sightings continue, wildlife experts encourage visitors to respect the whales’ space and observe responsibly. The unexpected presence of humpback whales in Cornwall’s waters serves as a powerful reminder of the richness of the UK’s marine biodiversity.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
