Wildlife
Port of Aberdeen is one of Europe’s best urban wildlife watching sites, where the busy harbour meets rich natural ecosystems. Its waters are a hunting ground for bottlenose dolphins, while salmon, sea trout and eels pass through on their journeys between river and sea. Grey seals, otters and a variety of whales and porpoises can also be spotted, alongside thriving seabird colonies and diverse marine life along the rocky coastline of Girdleness.
Underwater biodiversity
The waters in and around the Port of Aberdeen support a remarkable variety of marine life. Bottlenose dolphins are frequent hunters in the harbour, joined at times by harbour porpoises, minke whales, or even orca and humpback whales. Salmon, sea trout and critically endangered eels pass through on their migrations between river and sea, while the coastal shallows shelter cod, plaice, small-spotted catsharks, and colourful rockpool species such as crabs, starfish and anemones.
Over-water biodiversity
Above the waves, Aberdeen’s coastline and harbour are alive with birdlife throughout the year. Summer brings elegant Arctic and sandwich terns, while large colonies of herring gulls are ever-present. In autumn, migrating shearwaters, short-eared owls and robins stop over, while winter sees flocks of divers, eiders and purple sandpipers gathering along the breakwaters. The cliffs and headlands at Girdleness provide one of the best vantage points to experience this seasonal spectacle of seabirds.
Port of Aberdeen Wildlife Guide
Explore the rich marine life in and around Port of Aberdeen - from playful bottlenose dolphins and majestic whales to coastal seabirds and the fascinating creatures of nearby rockpools through our wildlife guide created as part of our sustainability efforts for The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025.
