The Isle of Man sits in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland but belongs to neither. Its rugged landscape is most famous for hosting the annual TT motorcycle race which attracts over 40,000 visitors to witness the thrills and spills of the challenging course. But it also receives plenty of other non-human arrivals over the spring and summer months, from marine mammals to rare birds. Here's our guide to spotting wildlife on the Isle of Man.

The hills and beaches around the 99 miles of coastline offer a great vantage point to witness dolphins (bottlenose, common and Risso’s), porpoises and minke whales. For the best chance to spot these aquatic mammals, head to the west and south coasts in summer and the east coast in winter.

If watching from dry land isn’t enough, hire a kayak from Sea Kayaking Isle of Man and head out onto the water. In summer, you could have an incredible close encounter with a giant of the ocean – the basking shark. The sharks come into the island’s waters to feed on plankton blooms and sometimes to give birth. They’re most often sighted on the west coast between Peel and the Calf of Man, a separate island at the bottom of the Isle of Man that’s now a bird observatory.

If kayaking is too strenuous, take a boat tour to admire wildlife in the sea and the skies, and the island's rugged coastline. Gemini Charter runs trips from Port St Mary down and around the Calf of Man.

You’re most likely to spot Atlantic grey seals, with up to 250 hauled up on the rocks and in the waters at any one time.

Look up while you’re out at sea and you might see rare birds like the Eastern Bonelli’s warbler and birds of prey including peregrine falcons, or more common species like razorbills, guillemots and shags (pictured).

Another excellent spot to see the seals is at The Café at the Sound at the island's southern tip. Bring a pair of binoculars and keep an eye on them while tucking into a seafood platter which includes the famed Manx kippers.

If horse riding is your thing, you can ride out from the centre of the island at Ballahimmin Riding and Pony Trekking Centre. The horses and ponies were originally brought over from Austria and other mountainous regions. Ride to the hilltops for views across to Ireland, England and Scotland on a clear day.

These wallabies live in captivity at the Curraghs Wildlife Park in the northwest of the island but a group of them staged an audacious breakout in the 1970s. While originating from the warmer climes of Australia, the wild population has thrived despite the temperature difference. If you fancy trying to spot the ‘wild’ bunch, head to the area around the wildlife park at dawn or dusk.

For a more relaxing wildlife experience that's steeped in tradition, hop on a horse-drawn tram in the capital Douglas. They plough through the seafront promenade throughout the main tourist season. It’s a bumpy ride but a memorable one. Afterwards, visit some of the former workhorses enjoying a well-earned retirement at the Isle of Man Home of Rest for Old Horses just outside Douglas.