ORCA: observe whales during your holiday

For many years, from the end of March to September, we welcome ORCA volunteers aboard our ferries. What is their mission? These Ocean Conservationist look after the animals that inhabit the North Sea and English Channel. One of their missions on board is to observe the different marine animals, like dolphins, whales and gannets. By listing the areas where these species live, volunteers can, in collaboration with the relevant authorities, take measures to protect them.

Meet Silvia, an Ocean Conservationist with the ORCA association, every Wednesday to Sunday until the 29th of September on our Newhaven-Dieppe ferries.

Presentations, animations, discussions and observations: she is eager to share her knowledge with you!

Play our game to see what marine life you could spot with ORCA and DFDS.

Come and join us on a Dieppe-Newhaven or Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry and take part in our observation workshops or even join us for a wildlife mini cruise to Amsterdam. Hop onboard to join in with whale & dolphin watching among many more species, and see the magic of the sea for yourself!

In addition to Ocean Conservationists, we have Marine Surveyors onboard our Amsterdam-Newcastle, Dieppe-Newhaven and Dover-Calais routes from March until November. These volunteer surveyors do essential work which helps protect the marine wildlife inhabiting the North Sea and the English Channel. They observe the sealife and obtain essential data which contributes to maintaining safe habitats for whales and dolphins.

ORCA have now made their data collection app OceanWatchers available to everyone! Explore the app's I-Spy at sea function, learn about the wildlife across our DFDS routes, and record your own sightings while onboard. At the end of your sailing, you might find yourself wanting to become a trained OceanWatcher yourself. Find out more about I-Spy at sea!

We are also proud to announce that we have been nominated as Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator 2025 and this amazing journey continues, first and foremost, thanks to you.

To our loyal passengers who put their trust in us, our valued partners and our hard-working colleagues: this nomination is also yours. You are the heart of DFDS and today, we’d like to say THANK YOU.

Let's continue to create beautiful memories and cross the finish line together.