Starquest


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Daily surveys from Loch Gairloch in western Scotland

This venture will allow you to encounter at first hand the magnificent wildlife which inhabits this picturesque maritime area - in particular the porpoise, whales and dolphins which are studied on daily surveys from beautiful Loch Gairloch in western Scotland. For the more adventurous, there are also surveys spanning consecutive days, during which the North Minch area will be searched for the diminutive Harbour Porpoise, Common, White-Beaked and Risso's Dolphins, and their larger relatives the Minke and Killer Whales - all of which inhabit these waters during summer months.

Established in 1989 Gairloch Marine Life Centre & Cruises is one of the longest running marine wildlife operators in Europe and has the longest running porpoise survey world-wide. As Ian is a Marine Biologist, much of our time is spent researching marine mammal behaviour. As part of our ongoing research with Sea Watch Foundation and Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust all sightings during our cruises are recorded and input into our onboard computer. As well as being used for our own research purposes this important data is also shared with scientists and statisticians as part of their ongoing cetacean studies.

We are the only marine wildlife cruise operator in the area to be accredited by both the Scottish Marine Wildlife Operators Association and WISE Scheme and comply with the marine wildlife operators’ code of conduct. We are also members of the Sea Watch Foundation and Wild Scotland.

Gairloch Marine Life Centre & Cruises use the Starquest, a 32-foot Kent class MFV/Passenger vessel that is fully approved by the Maritime & Coastal Agencies (MCA). The Starquest can carry 12 persons, and has a two-berth cabin, toilet and wheelhouse with plenty of deck shelter.

The cruises aim to inform and educate visitors about the marine environment and eco tourism. We also have a visitor information centre, with no charge for entry, which offers video, photographic, ID guides and sightings data for the Gairloch area.


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One hour family cruise
9.00 am, 5.15 pm and 6.15 pm
Adults : £10.00
Under 16s : £5.00

Two hour survey cruise
10.00 am, 12.30 pm,
and 3.00 pm
Adults : £20.00
Under 16s : £10.00

Private Charter: £200.00

No charge for infants under 12 months.
Prices subject to change, and all cruises are subject to good weather conditions and minimum passenger numbers.

For information more information visit our website www.porpoise-gairloch.co.uk or call the visitor centre on +44 (0) 1445 712636 open daily from March to October between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm. If the visitor centre is closed you can leave your name and number along with any message on our answer phone and we will get back to you within 24 hours.

Contact details:

Ian French
Gairloch Marine Life Centre & Cruises
Charleston Harbour
Pier Road
Gairloch, Ross-shire
IV21 2BQ
Tel: +44 (0) 1445 712636
Email: mail@porpoise-gairloch.co.uk
Website: www.porpoise-gairloch.co.uk

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