Dolphin Spotting at Roker Pier - A Day Trip to Sunderland
Reports of dolphins and even orca along the North East coast have been hard to miss over recent months. With Roker Pier newly reopened after extensive refurbishment, it seemed the perfect excuse for a day out to see if we could catch sight of them ourselves.
Roker is an easy trip from Durham, about half an hour by car. For those using public transport, you can take a no. 20 or 22 bus to Sunderland and then connect to Roker. Parking is reasonably straightforward, with a couple of car parks, on-street options in the side streets, and some blue badge spaces close to the beach.
Bottlenose dolphin leaping from the waves off the coast near Roker Pier.
A Walk Along Roker Pier
Roker beach is sandy and easy to access, with a scattering of cafés and fish and chip shops nearby if you fancy a break. The pier itself stretches 609 metres into the sea, making for a bracing walk. Unsurprisingly, it can be breezy, so an extra layer is worth having to hand, even on a sunny day.
One thing to be aware of is the fishermen. Both sides of the pier were lined with them during our visit - easily more than fifty rods in the water - though we didn’t actually see anyone land a catch. The real challenge is avoiding their lines when they cast out, so a little care is needed as you pass.
Discoveries and Tours
One new feature since the refurbishment is the chance to explore below the pier. You can now book a guided tour through the tunnel that runs beneath it, leading to the lighthouse at the far end. We hadn’t planned ahead, so missed out this time, but it gives us a reason to return. Tours can be booked via the Roker Pier website.
Did We See Dolphins?
Alas, the dolphins eluded us on this visit. Others arriving not long after we left were luckier, which only makes us more determined to try again. Apparently, your best chance is when the tide is coming in, as the dolphins follow the fish towards the shore.
Fortunately, Kevin (Durham Pointers Chief-Photographer) has had better luck with his camera on previous trips, and the photos here are his. Next time, we hope to capture our own.
Final Thoughts
Even without a dolphin sighting, Roker Pier made for an enjoyable and easy day out from Durham. The combination of sandy beach, long pier walk, and nearby cafés gives it plenty of appeal, and the possibility of spotting dolphins adds a sense of excitement. We’ll certainly be heading back — and hopefully, next time, the dolphins will co-operate.
Moira and her husband Adam have been Durham Pointers for nine years. They enjoy exploring days out across the region, sometimes with their wider family, sometimes just the two of them - always on the lookout for new corners of County Durham, Teesside, and North Yorkshire to share.
