Wildlife Viewing Spots

From magnificent marine creatures to a huge population of visiting and migrant birds, you’ll find it all in the Isle of Man!

The Isle of Man has an excellent number of vantage points where you can spot wildlife in their natural habitats – whether that’s in the serene countryside or the extensive coastline. If you’re lucky, you might even spot wild wallabies at the Curraghs in the north of the Island! 

There are an abundance of coastal birds - including kittiwakes, guillemots and puffins - which can be found nesting in the cliffs, on the sandy beaches, in the coastal grasslands, and in the salt marshes. The Island also has its own bird observatory located on the Calf of Man, which is home to many seabird species including the Manx shearwater, shags and occasionally cormorants. 

If it’s the Island’s marine life that appeals to you, make sure you visit the Sound at the southern tip of the Isle of Man. Here you are almost guaranteed to see a large population of seals that are often spotted basking on the rocks or swimming in the water.

During your visit, you may even be lucky enough to spot dolphins, whales and basking sharks which inhabit Manx waters. Most basking shark sightings are reported within one kilometre of land, which means visitors to the Island stand an excellent chance of seeing these magnificent creatures up close and personal.

The Manx Basking Shark Watch and the Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch allow anyone to share their recent sightings of these magnificent sea creatures on their websites, so you can know exactly where the best places to spot them are for your visit and even log your own!

If you’re unsure where to start, why not book a guided wildlife tour and let the experts take you to the Island’s hotspots? It is the perfect opportunity to explore the Isle of Man whilst learning about the wildlife found here. 

You can also take a boat trip to increase your chances of spotting wildlife around the Island’s extensive coastline.  

If you’re unsuccessful in your hunt, why not pay a visit to the Island’s wildlife park where you’ll be guaranteed to see a variety of wildlife from around the globe.