our boat & safety

A unique vessel

'Seaquest' was originally built in 2003 specifically for wildlife watching trips out of Falmouth. Having recently having a major refit in 2021 and brand new stern machinery in 2023, she is one of the most up to date passenger vessels in Cornwall and a perfect platform for wildlife spotting.

Passengers have a 360° view of their surroundings and due to her sitting lower in the water, you can come within just inches of dolphins swimming alongside the boat. If you're lucky, they might even give you a splash with their tail! You really can't get any closer.

Most importantly, Seaquest is fully licenced by MECAL and carries all of the relevant safety equipment and electronic equipment required to do so. We are really excited to be looking at an addition to Seaquest to expand our fleet.

Dolphins splashing boat passengers on a wildlife safari in Cornwall

Safety

At Orca Sea Safaris, your safari adventure is not only about exhilarating encounters with marine life but is also framed by our unwavering commitment to your safety. Step aboard our vessels, knowing that every aspect of your journey has been meticulously designed and executed with the highest standards of boat and passenger safety in mind. We prioritize safety in every aspect of our operation, adhering to stringent protocols, and employing state-of-the-art practices to ensure the well-being of all onboard.

Our boat is a testament to our dedication and commitment to safety. Not only is Seaquest presented to the highest of standards, her maintenance falls no shorter. We conduct regular maintenance checks, adhering to industry standards and regulations.

Our skippers are at the heart of your adventure with us by prioritising your well being and safety, all whilst delivering an engaging and informative journey. Our certified professionals undergo regular in house training as well as any recurrent training required by licencing authorities. This is how we can guarantee to you that you are always in the safest hands.

We believe that an extraordinary adventure and unwavering safety can go hand in hand. So we operate around a highly advanced Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Safety Management System (SMS) to ensure total safety for all of our passengers and crew so you can immerse yourself in the wonders of the ocean with the confidence that your safety is our foremost priority.

Orca Sea Safaris is committed to continuous improvement in safety measures. We regularly review and update our safety protocols, incorporating feedback, advancements in maritime safety, and lessons learned from our experiences to enhance the overall safety of our operation.

environmental code of conduct

Beyond the safety of our passengers, Orca Sea Safaris is committed to the safety of the marine environment and wildlife. Our practices adhere to strict environmental standards, ensuring that our operations have minimal impact on the ecosystems that we explore. Our Environmental Code of Conduct outlines our dedication to sustainable practices and responsible tourism, ensuring that our guests and the marine life we encounter can coexist harmoniously.

To ensure our interactions with wildlife are both safe and respectful, all of our skippers are not only certified through the WiSe Scheme, we also adopt in-house training programmes. By passing on our experiences with our own interactions, we can learn even more about how our actions effect their behaviour. 

Orca Sea Safaris is dedicated to continuous improvement in environmental practices. We regularly assess our operations, seeking ways to further minimize our environmental impact and promote sustainable tourism and encourage others to join the cause of responsible travel, promoting the preservation of our oceans and marine life. By embracing our Wildlife and Environment Code of Conduct, you become a crucial partner in our mission to protect and cherish the wonders of the ocean. Orca Sea Safaris is dedicated to providing you with an enriching and responsible marine adventure, leaving only memories and inspiration in the wake of your journey.  Together, we can ensure the longevity and vitality of our oceans for generations to come.

We are incorporating the ERCCIS 'ORKS' mobile app to provide live sightings and updates to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust who also share this data with The Seawatch Foundation. This enables us to not only keep an accurate database of our sightings but to also play our part in contributing towards the global effort of understanding more about and protecting these wonderful creatures. We have the privilege of spending up to 10 hours a day at sea, meaning we have the platform to contribute massively and most importantly accurately the behaviour and numbers of our resident wildlife.

Take a look at what wildlife we have in the area.