Intelsius Employees Complete First Sea Safari of 2025

As part of our annual commitment to the ORCA Charity, two of our Intelsius employees had the chance to partake in the ORCA Sea Safari, to spot whales and dolphins in real time!

ORCA Sea Safaris gives members of the public the chance to spot marine life in the Bay of Biscay. They record their sightings and directly contribute to the long-term preservation of whale and dolphin habitats in the UK, France, and North Spain.

In the first of two Intelsius Sea Safaris happening in the summer of 2025, Intelsius Ireland Internal Sales and R&D representative Sharon O’ Sullivan, and international Quality Manager Felicity Neale (Flis) set off from Rosslare Harbour on the 25th July, spending the next three days aboard a Brittany Ferries ship looking for whales and dolphins, with a short stop in Bilbao in the middle of their trip.

Keep reading to find out how their trip went!

How was the trip?

FN: It was an amazing experience. We saw quite a few dolphins very close to the ferry but sadly no whales or orcas. We were told they came in late to the Bay Of Biscay this year. I would love to go for this trip again but possibly from Plymouth to Santander.

SS: The trip was great, and I was so lucky to have Flis as my travel partner. We didn’t get to see any whales, but we did get to see some playful dolphins and got to go on the bridge of the ship!

Did the experience bring you closer to the work of our corporate charity, Orca?

FN: Yes, Gabriella, our ORCA Ocean Conservationist at Sea, was on hand with useful tips, including handouts of information & binoculars. The highlight was being taken onto the bridge, meeting the ferry captain and learning more about the instruments used on board. Two adult whales and a baby whale had been spotted the day before.

SS: It was great to see first-hand the work they do to help conserve our ocean’s wildlife. Gabriella, was so helpful and passionate, describing the geography of the Bay of Biscay, giving us a guide full of tips for spotting ocean wildlife and detailing how ORCA work with their partners to help decrease the threats to these amazing species.

How was it travelling with a fellow member of staff you perhaps hadn’t previously spent a great deal of time with?

FN: The trip gave us the opportunity to spend time with each other that we wouldn’t have had at work, talking about experiences in and out of work. It was lovely sitting on the deck in the sun with our binoculars, taking in the surroundings with great company.

SS: It was great to get to know Flis outside of work and have some great chats, share life experiences and lots of laughs. Our group of two quickly became more when we got to meet and chat with other great people on this trip. Currently, one of our Intelsius hats is on the way to Alaska with a member of that group 😊

 

Marine life sightings during trip

What would you say to other Intelsius employees considering applying for next year’s Sea Safaris?

FN: Bring a variety of clothing as our first day was scorching (t-shirts) and the 2nd day very windy/wet (hats, waterproofs). Lots of interesting information about the ORCA Foundation on board, all the Wildlife Officers on board were very informative! It’s a wonderful way to get to know a colleague a little better.

SS: It was a brilliant experience and something I am so glad I applied for. It was great to get to know a colleague whom I had met only a few times face-to-face and on Teams, outside of work. You will learn so much being around people who are so passionate about ocean conservation. Pack for all weather eventualities and make sure your cap is well secured, it can get quite windy up on the top deck!

 

Next up for Intelsius Sea Safaris is Ryan Scott and Kelly Roy, who are set to depart on August 13th.

If you’d like to find out more about ORCA’s work, visit their website here.