ENGLAND & INTERNATIONAL
Before booking, we strongly recommend checking which individuals within each company are WiSe certified, to ensure your experience follows wildlife-safe best practice.
SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
WiSe-Certified Operators in South East England
Certified: Kate Fortnam 2023 - 2026
Certified: Duncan Able, Henry Chamberlain, Colin Howell, David White, Mark Watson, Nick Stokes, Zoe Dunford, George Getley 2023 - 2026
www.coastalexplorationcompany.co.uk
Explore the wilderness of the north Norfolk coast on our professionally skippered traditional wooden fishing boats under sail, enjoy delicious locally sourced food and recharge your soul. We run a series of sails from engineless salt marsh exploration to coastal sails, to overnight trips, that can focus on wild swims, foraging, wildlife, sailing smuggling or cargo delivery.
Certified: John Kitching 2026 - 2029
https://www.jetadventures.co.uk
Jet Adventures is based in Lowestoft on the Suffolk coast and offers trips aboard a unique jet- driven passenger boat. Powered by waterjet rather than propellers, our craft delivers a distinctive on-the-water experience while exploring Lowestoft Harbour, Lake Lothing, the Sunrise Coast, and Scroby Sands. We specialise in memorable coastal and wildlife trips, with regular opportunities to see seals, seabirds, and other local marine life. Combining local knowledge, striking scenery, and the excitement of jet-powered boating, Jet Adventures offers something genuinely different on the water.
Certified: Stuart Barnes 2024 - 2027
Experience the ultimate wildlife adventure with our boat tours offering breath-taking views and unforgettable memories.
Certified operator: Dee Smith 2025 - 2028
Adventure Operators
Certified: Lucy Mangnall-Green 2024 - 2027
Canoe Wild brings to you a delightful sea kayaking tour of Pegwell Bay a stunning National nature reserve that is home to our local seal population! The sea kayaking tour launches from Ramsgate and will last 3 hours, with 2.5 hours of this being paddling time. This will include a half an hour break for seal spotting! No experience necessary, we just ask that your fit and healthy enough to paddle for a few hours. This is the perfect way to hit the waves and give sea kayaking a go whilst also being able to observe the playful seals that call our coastline home.
Certified operator: James Copeland 2025 - 2028
Hi, I'm James, im a freelance outdoor instructor based in kent, with a emphasis on getting people out in nature and sharing my passion for wildlife.
Coastal Operators
Bird Aware Essex Coast is a partnership of local councils around the Essex coast. Our aim is to help people enjoy the coast without disturbing the thousands of birds that breed and feed here. These birds are internationally protected and need to build up enough energy to fly back to their summer breeding grounds.
NORTH EAST ENGLAND
WiSe-Certified Operators in North East England
Boat Operators
Certified operator: Rachael Forster
Seafari Experience (2.5hr experience) including shoreside presentation and RIB experience, locking out into Tees Bay and hoping to see any local Seals (grey and common) passage plan up the Tees to Seal Sands SSSI. White beaked dolphins (not as common in the last 5 years) in Tees Bay, and Bottlenose dolphins (from May to September). We only do a handful a year, due to skipper availablity. We run as ASI SUP school, predominantly the standup paddleboarding is in the marina however more experienced paddlers can go out into Tees Bay (passing Bird Island) a SSSI site in Hartlepool Marina Ltd waters.
Certified operator: Alison Pake
Conservation, Land and Sea protecting our seas, marine life along the coastline through immersive coastal adventures, wildlife and conservation monitoring - help preserve the unique ecosystems of the northeast coast and ensure a thriving natural world for future generations.
Certified operator: Steve Sanders
yogidiver@msn.com
Operating a 7m rib from Stockton Barrage out of the Tees, observing wildlife from Sunderland down to Scarborough. Also involved with Ghost Net Recovery with various organisations alongside marine mammal rescues offering assistance where needed.
Certified: Richard Baines
www.yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk
The Yorkshire coast is becoming famous for its whale watching! We have been running our high- quality trips since 2014. Choose a full or half day trip from the beautiful village of Staithes six miles north of Whitby in search of both cetaceans and seabirds. On our coast we have Minke whales, harbour porpoise, bottle-nosed and white-beaked dolphins. Throughout the day you will have a great opportunity to learn about field craft and identification from our local expert guides in a small and friendly group environment.
Certified: Katherine Knight, Eric Holden
https://www.narwhalexpeditions.com/
Narwhal Expeditions specialises in sailing adventures in the wildest places on earth. Narwhal is a 50ft steel sailing yacht, built for expeditions in the high latitudes. We offer places for up to six people on expeditions that last between one and three weeks. Whilst on board you will have the opportunity to learn and take part in sailing the boat. You will also be able to help monitor and record marine mammal sightings and participate in environmental science projects. This year we are sailing to arctic Norway, why not join us for the adventure of a lifetime?
Certified: Paul Hobson 2026 - 2029
https://whitbycoastalcruises.com
We offer wildlife watching trips daily from Whitby aboard the Summer Queen. We often see dolphins, whale watching July/August/September mainly.
SUMMER QUEEN IS PURPOSE BUILT 72 FT 100 PASSENGER BOAT
Certified: Neil Horsley
http://www.queensferrycruises.com
We operate the traditional motro launch ‘Queensferry’ from Scarborough over a 15 mile range from her home port, between April and November. We offer porpoise, whale, dolphin and seal watching trips.
Certified: Peter Richardson 2023, Graham Oliver 2026 - 2029
Launched in 2018, Wetwheels Yorkshire became the fifth regional operator for the national disability power boating charity Wetwheels Foundation. Wetwheels Yorkshire has her home in Whitby, so is perfectly positioned to operate across the region, from the North East to the Humber.
On our trips we often encounter; minke whales, bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoise and grey seals, less often we see humpback whales and white beaked dolphins. There are also many sea and coastal birds sighted including the much-loved puffin.
WetWheels Yorkshire operates a specially designed Cheetah Marine catamaran powered by two Suzuki Marine outboard motors.
Certified: Charly Hewett
As part of our operations, we run RIB charter trips in and around the Humber Estuary. Wildlife that we regularly see are Grey seals, Harbour porpoise and many species of birds. We also undertake a good deal of scientific surveys and research for clients such as Universities and environmental companies and organisations. Our RIB is road transportable, so we regularly operate from other ports and harbours around the UK.
Certified operator: Sean Baxter 2026 - 2029
We operate wildlife and whale watching trips out of the beautiful fishing village of Staithes
Our vessel is a fully equipped Lochin 33”, Toilet, seating and large cabin.
Adventure Operators
Certified: Gordon Keddie
Join us for fun Sea Kayaking. We travel to the best locations and use all of the coast as our playground and training venues, nowhere is off limits. On our discovery and explore trips we escape the hustle of the everyday and set off to explore the remote coastal wilderness of inlets, lochs, skerries and on the way have sparkling encounters with seals, sea birds galore, porpoise and more, whilst being engulfed in the delights of breath-taking landscapes. By the time you leave us, after a weekend or fortnight you will have had fun, discovered friends and explored new waters.
https://www.northernlatitude.co.uk
Northern Latitude operates from the Northumberland coast, offering guided snorkelling, cold-water swimming and stand-up paddleboarding experiences around the Farne Islands and surrounding coastline. This wildlife-rich area is known for grey seals, seabird colonies and extensive kelp forest habitats. Trips are led by a guide with a marine biology background and run with very small groups to minimise disturbance. Experiences combine adventure and wildlife encounters with a strong emphasis on responsible marine wildlife watching, helping visitors enjoy the North Sea while understanding and respecting the animals and habitats they encounter.
https://southtyneside.gov.uk/article/21787/Simonside-Outdoor-Adventure
South Tyneside’s in-borough outdoor activity provider offering water activities including kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding. Activities are centred around the River Tyne harbour.
Coastal Operators
Certified operator: Rachel-Louisa Joyce
I am working on the SeaSight programme to log wildlife disturbance and marine non-licensable activities within MPAs. I lead wildlife licensing and the mNLA in MPA work in MMO.
NORTH WEST ENGLAND - PEEL PORTS
WiSe-Certified Operators in North West England
Certified: Mark Atkinson, Luke Aldridge, Jenny Edwards
Certified: Russell Bird
Certified: Joe Blythe
Certified: Marine Bourgeois
Certified: Michael Brooke
Certified: Joe Easton
Certififed: Kelda Hudson
Certified: Richard Grad
Certified: Sarah Lauffer
Certified: Lisa Reilly
Certified: Andrew Rushworth
Certified: Max Upot
Certified: Nicole Read
Certified: Busayo Afolabi
Certified: Rufus Redman
Certified: Kivanc Yucel
Certified: Steven Graham
Certified: Fraser McNab
Certified: Ella Metcalfe
Certified: Caroline Baxter
Certified: Ian White
Certified: Kris Catterall
INTERNATIONAL
International WiSe-Certified Operators
Boat Operators
Certified: Richard George
Certified operator: Henry Harper
www.linkedin.com/in/henry-harper
I am an accomplished and highly qualified, freelance whale watching Skipper-Guide, with over 10
years’ experience leading responsible whale watching expeditions and scientific cetacean surveys in Pico (Azores); Skjervoy (Norway); Algarve (Portugal) and the West coast of Scotland.
Certified operator: Chris Taklis
https://www.mermanconservation.co.uk
Merman Conservation Expeditions Ltd conducts wildlife surveys in Pelion (Greece) and the UK, focusing on marine and coastal species. Based in Greece, we cover the Mt. Pelion area and
Pagasetic Gulf, with UK locations depending on customer needs.
Our work includes monitoring seals, dolphins, sharks, and invasive species, alongside broader
biodiversity research. We offer scientific surveys, citizen science programs, and conservation expeditions using eco-friendly methods like land-based observations. We also educate people on conducting wildlife surveys while following ethical wildlife guidelines similar to the WISE Scheme.
Adventure Operators
Certified operators: Jürg "Yuri" Endres, Cornelia "Ella" Zehnder
We are a sea kayak school, based in SwiEerland, working on the best eoasflines of Europe. As Switzerland has no ocean, of course we are highly mobile. Much of our work happens in North Spain, especially on the Biscay coast, but also in many other regions of Europe.
