Skip to content

Kayakers surprised by pod of 100 dolphins in Devon

Rupert Kirkwood/The Lone Kayaker Dolphins at seaRupert Kirkwood/The Lone Kayaker
Mr Kirkwood runs a social media channel dedicated to kayaking and animal spotting

A kayaker in Devon has spoken of his "thrill" at being joined by a pod of 100 dolphins as he paddled in the sea.

Rupert Kirkwood was out for his weekly paddle with a friend when he said he saw more than 100 dolphins off the coast of Torbay on Thursday morning.

He described seeing a variety of ages, from adults to juveniles and calves, in the water swimming alongside them.

Mr Kirkwood runs a website dedicated to kayaking and said seeing this number of dolphins was a first for him.

Rupert Kirkwood/The Lone Kayaker DolphinRupert Kirkwood/The Lone Kayaker
Mr Kirkwood described seeing a variety of ages, from adults to juveniles and calves

He said: "I run out of words to describe it - sensational, tremendous, it just really is a thrill.

"The reason I love it is there cannot be a similar situation on land where you're surrounded by 20 animals, the size of a small group, coming along voluntarily as close to you as you want."

presentational grey line

Follow BBC Devon on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.