If you are very lucky you may see dolphins and porpoises out to sea as they surface to take air. They will be some way from the beach so you will binoculars to see them properly.
Whales are occasionally, and increasing, seen in the Firth of Forth. This is exiting but also worrying in that the Firth is not the natural habitat for whales. It usually means that the whale is probably lost and in trouble. Sightings may be reported following the link below
Bottlenose Dolphin: Tursiops truncatus
Bottlenose dolphins are the most familiar of our dolphins and most likely seen from British shores. These dolphins are the biggest bottlenose dolphins in the world – their size helps them cope with our chilly waters. The best places to see them are the Moray Firth but are also seen off North Berwick. They are very social animals and can often be seen in small groups of up to 15 dolphins. They love to jump out of the water and will happily approach boats to bowride (surfing in the waves created by the boat). They feed on fish, often working as a team to hunt.
The Bottlenose is a chunky, fairly plain grey dolphin, darker above and paler below. Their beak is short and stubby and their dorsal fin is large, sickle-shaped and often marked with notches and scratches.
Harbour Porpoise:Phocoena phocoena
The Harbour Porpoise is the smallest and most abundant cetacean found in Scottish inshore waters. They have no beak and a rounded head, giving them a rather blunt and stocky appearance. A Harbour Porpoise’s back is dark brown and blends to a light grey or white underside.
To spot a Harbour Porpoise, look out for the small triangular fin located a fraction further than halfway down its back
Humpback Whale: Megaptera novaeangliae
Minke Whale: Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Both Humpback and Minke whales are seen on the Firth of Forth but you would be very lucky to see either from Milsey Bay. It is very exciting to see such a large animal but sadly they should not be there. There is neither food nor mates for them. They are likely to be sick or lost or probably both. Dead whales, a pilot whale in recent years, have been washed up on Milsey Bay.
Orca aka Killer Whale: Orcinus orca
Orca are very occasionally seen in the Firth of Forth. Two were seen close to the Bass in June 2025. If you are very lucky you might see a characteristic dorsal fin cutting through the surface of the water.
What is good news for whale watchers is bad news for the local seal population which is the main source of Orca food. Orcas, other than man, are seals only predator.