Visual surveys for bottlenose dolphins were carried out between June and August 2021 in the West Connacht Coast SAC (Site Code 002998). This SAC was designated in 2013 with bottlenose dolphins as the sole qualifying interest. Dedicated line transects were carried out over seven days on fixed, predetermined routes within the SAC. The survey area was divided into two discrete areas consistent with the boundaries of the SAC; namely the Northern Component and the Southern Component. Both Northern and Southern Components were surveyed on the same day by two different teams. The survey design involved travelling along the coast and inside the islands at both sites, informed by previous work that suggested bottlenose dolphins were rarely found >3km offshore.