Discover your sea legs on a marine wildlife cruise

Discover your sea-legs this summer and head to the 17th Century harbour of Whitehaven, on Cumbria’s West Coast, where a voyage aboard a wildlife cruise awaits.

Whitehaven Marine Adventures run daily, 90-minute marine adventures along this dramatic stretch of coast, allowing passengers to see a variety of wildlife regularly spotted in this area. This includes grey seals, porpoises, common dolphin and basking sharks, all often seen around St Bees and the Solway.

The cruise also provides a unique opportunity to observe birds at the RSPB sanctuary at St Bees, the view from the sea often being the best way of watching species such as razorbills, gannets and puffin at this site. This is also the only place in the country where black guillemot breed.

The coastline is rich in marine and smuggling history, Whitehaven once having been the second largest port in Britain, because of its central role within the rum and spice trade. Passengers aboard a Whitehaven Marine Adventures boat will hear tales of how it was the only part of Britain attacked during the American War of Independence, as well as learning how smugglers carried out their elicit trade.

The legend of Bega is another tale that unfolds during the journey, whilst Fleswick Bay has more secrets to be revealed by the crew.

Whitehaven Marine Adventures RIB boat can be found on the Whitehaven Harbour slip-way, adjacent to the waterfront cafes. Trips run every day and are priced at £20 per adult, £10 per child and £55 for two adults and two children.

More of the area’s history can be explored at Whitehaven’s iconic attraction, The Beacon – a lighthouse shaped building housing thousands of items that explain the area’s history and heritage in exciting, hands on and often interactive ways.

The port celebrates its 300th Anniversary this year, so there’s tons to hear about and explore, another great stop-off being award-winning attraction, The Rum Story, where the trade in rum, spices and slaves is dramatically brought to life.

For accommodation options in the Western Lake District visit western-lakedistrict.co.uk.