20-07-2025
Resident dolphins escort flagship ferry 'Manxman' as it enters Peel during Isle of Man cruise
Footage captured the moment the dolphins could be seen swimming alongside the ferry
Two resident dolphins on the Isle of Man were seen escorting the island's flagship ferry on its annual island cruise over the weekend.
'Moonlight' and 'Starlight' could be seen swimming and leaping out of the waves from the front of the 'Manxman' as it entered Peel on Saturday evening.
The mother and daughter pairing are regularly spotted on the west coast of the Isle of Man, after first being spotted in September of 2019.
Representative from the 'Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch' group (MWDW) have described the bottlenose dolphins as 'an exceptionally rare example of a solitary pair', who are 'only ever seen on their own'.
'Moonlight' originates from the Moray Firth and travelled to the Isle of Man in 2019, giving birth to Starlight in September the same year.
Both dolphins have recently been spotted in shallow water in Peel, and they are often seen interacting with swimmers and other sea-goers.
The MWDW has asked people not to reach out and touch them, and requested that boats lower their speed if they encounter them.
The Steam Packet Company's flagship vessel was on its 'Round the Island Cruise' on Saturday evening when it was joined by the dolphins.
Passengers left Douglas on the east coast of the island, before taking a tour of the Manx coastline in a four-hour cruise.
