Arisaig Marine Ltd
WEBSITE: www.arisaig.co.uk
TELEPHONE: 01687 450224
EMAIL: info@arsaig.co.uk
ADDRESS: Arisaig (Inverness)
Departs daily from Arisaig Marina. Booking is essential. Trips to the islands of Eigg, Muck or Rum. Likely species include minke whales and harbour porpoises, Risso’s dolphin, Atlantic white-sided dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, killer whale and basking shark.
Ecoventures
WEBSITE: www.ecoventures.co.uk
TELEPHONE: 01381 600323
EMAIL: info@ecoventures.co.uk
ADDRESS: Cromarty (Ross and Cromarty)
Cruises on custom-built ribs taking up to 12 passengers (2 hour trips and charters on request). Bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoise, seals and other general wildlife are likely to be seen.
Gairloch Marine Wildlife Centre & Cruises
WEBSITE: www.porpoise-gairloch.co.uk
TELEPHONE: 01445 712636; 07751 992666
EMAIL: info@porpoise-gairloch.co.uk
ADDRESS: Gairloch (Ross and Cromarty)
One and two hour wildlife cruises on the 31′ MV Starquest. The wildlife information centre also includes photographic displays of local wildlife, identification guides, films and sightings data. Harbour porpoises are the most frequently encountered marine mammals, on which survey work is conducted. Other cetacean species seen include minke whales, common and white-beaked dolphins. There are also grey and common seals to be spotted.
Gemini Marine Charters
WEBSITE: www.geminiexplorer.co.uk
TELEPHONE: 07747 626280
ADDRESS: Urquhart (Moray)
Book via form online
Dolphin trip and marine tour, sailing 3 times daily aboard the beautiful 72ft ex-Clyde class live aboard lifeboat, The Gemini Explorer. Likely to see bottlenose dolphins, minke whales, harbour porpoises seals and other general wildlife.
Hebridean Adventures
WEBSITE: www.hebrideanadventures.co.uk
TELEPHONE: 07871 463755
EMAIL: info@hebrideanadventures.co.uk
ADDRESS: Stornoway (Isle of Lewis)
The MV Monadhliath is a fully-converted fishing boat specifically designed now for carrying passengers to observe whales, dolphins and other marine and coastal wildlife via our two custom-built raised viewing platforms with seating, and for live-aboard cruising and charter thanks to the cabins below deck in the former fish hold. We can carry up to 12 passengers on our day trips, and can sleep 8/9 on our overnight cruises plus our 3 crew. The Monadhliath is certified by the Coastguard to carry passengers up to 60 miles offshore in complete safety which means we can include St Kilda on 1 or 2 of our itineraries each year – always a highlight!
harbour porpoise, common dolphin, Risso’s dolphin and minke whales are the most common species that we come across. However, a wider range of other whale and dolphin species use this area to feed in or travel through: this includes various species of beaked dolphins to humpback whales and even orca too. Basking sharks are also seen each year once the summer has warmed the waters up. Seabirds are also a highlight and puffins, guillemots, razorbills, gannets, shags, kittiwakes, fulmars, and gulls are great to watch, as are the growing numbers of white-tailed sea eagles that we regularly see around the Isle’s of Lewis and Harris. The Shiant Isles are a regular stop for us, and in the early season are amazing to see with their breeding colonies with important numbers of puffins and razorbills in particular.
Hebridean Whale Cruises
WEBSITE: www.hebridean-whale-cruises.co.uk
TELEPHONE: 01445 712458
EMAIL: veerle_hwc@hotmail.com
ADDRESS: Gairloch (Ross and Cromarty)
Wildlife watching trips from Gairloch around the seas of Northwest Scotland onboard MV Kerry. Species likely to be seen include minke whales, harbour porpoises, killer whales, many species of dolphins including Risso’s dolphin, common dolphin and bottlenose dolphins, as well as many species of seabirds.
Islay Sea Adventures
WEBSITE: www.islay-sea-adventures.co.uk
TELEPHONE: 01496 300129
EMAIL: info@islay-sea-adventures.co.uk
ADDRESS: Port Ellen (Isle of Islay)
John O’Groats Ferries
WEBSITE: www.jogferry.co.uk/Home.aspx
TELEPHONE: 01955 611353
EMAIL: ivor@jogferry.co.uk
ADDRESS: John O’Groats (Caithness)
The ferry takes just 40 minutes to cover the old sea route to Orkney across the famous Pentland Firth which links the Atlantic Ocean with the North Sea. Maxi day tours are also of the Orkney islands are also organized in the summer. The Pentland Firth is rich in marine wildlife and the many isolated islands provide secure breeding places for thousands of sea birds. Look out for seals and whales.
Misty Isle Boat Trips
WEBSITE: www.mistyisleboattrips.co.uk
TELEPHONE: 014718 66288; 014718 66222
EMAIL: anne@mistyisleboattrips.co.uk
ADDRESS: Elagol (Isle of Skye)
We operate 3 boats. The vessels are Misty Isle, a 42ft open wooden launch and Heather Grace a 30ft wooden launch which both specialize in trips to visit Loch Coruisk and the common seal colony. The third boat is a fast Cygus Cyfish 33 which will be running trips to Rum and Canna to see the puffins and to look out for cetaceans. Various wildlife including cetaceans, seals, and birds including puffins.
North 58 Sea Adventures
WEBSITE: www.north58.co.uk
TELEPHONE: 01309 690099
EMAIL: adventure@north58.co.uk
ADDRESS: Findhorn (Moray)
We run trips to suit everybody; trips out on our custom built RIBs offer a unique combination of adventure, exhilaration and the joy of close encounters with the marine life and incredible scenery. Likely species to be seen include grey seals, harbour seals, porpoise, and bottlenose dolphins seen regularly. Common dolphins, minke whales, basking sharks are often seen in the summer months as visitors to the area. Various marine bird species.
Northern Light Cruising Company
WEBSITE: www.northernlight-uk.com
TELEPHONE: 01599 555723
EMAIL: info@northernlight-uk.com
ADDRESS: Dornie (Ross and Cromarty)
North West Cruises
WEBSITE: www.northwestcruises.co.uk
EMAIL: northwestcruises1@hotmail.co.uk
ADDRESS: Gairloch (Ross and Cromarty)
1 hour trip ~ Short cruise inside Loch Gairloch; 2 hour ~ to the mouth of Loch Gairloch and west side of Longa Island looking out into the Minch; 3 hour ~ Recommended for seeing whales and dolphins, takes you out into the Minch towards Rhona and west to the Isle of Skye. Full day charters available by arrangement. Minke whales, harbour porpoises, killer whales, Risso’s dolphin, common dolphin, bottlenose dolphins, as well as many species of seabirds.
Seabirds & Seals
WEBSITE: www.seabirds-and-seals.com
TELEPHONE: +44 (0)7595 540 224
EMAIL: info@seabirds-and-seals.com
ADDRESS: Gulberwick (Shetland)
The Noss Boat ‘Seabird’ is a 13.5m spacious catamaran which sports twin 370hp engines and a very stable craft because it has twin hulls. This allows for a very comfortable journey whether you want to move around on deck or prefer the shelter of our cabin. We are licensed to take up to 12 passengers so plenty of room for all to move around freely, fabulous spacious viewing platform which is fantastic for both spectating and photography. The boat has been adapted to enable wheelchair access as the business ethos is ‘inclusion for all’, they have made many adaptions to open their tours to the accessible & inclusive market.
On this amazing wildlife spectacular..you get up close and personal to the extraordinary seabird metropolis, home to 25,000 Northern Gannets and thousands of other seabirds towering the sandstone cliffs of Noss. Super opportunities to see and photograph Shetland’s wildlife against the stunning backdrop of the 181 metre-high Noss cliffs.
Your dedicated guides share local stories as well as their in-depth knowledge on the wildlife, local history, geology and folklore that surrounds Lerwick’s harbour and as they navigate around Bressay & Noss. Close seabird and seal encounters, breathtaking scenery, stunning rock formations, geos, iconic landmarks and eye catching geology.
Shetland waters are good for cetacean sightings and quite a number been spotted every year during our tours which runs from April through to October…not guaranteed of course but when it happens it truly is magnificent and you could be on no better boat due to its huge viewing platform.
Tour Departure: Victoria Pier, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0EL.
Tour Duration/How To Book – All tours are a FULL 2 HOURS PLUS which can be booked online or contact us directly – see our website for prices and further details.
Seafari Adventures
WEBSITE: www.seafari.co.uk
TELEPHONE: 01852 300003
EMAIL: oban@seafari.co.uk
ADDRESS: Oban (Argyll)
Our Wildlife Tours depart throughout the day visiting the Gulf of Corryvreckan, home of the World’s Third Largest Whirlpool. Our two hour nature spectacular is set amongst the many islands in the area. The scenery is spectacular with both woodlands and cliffs. All Seafari boats are high speed Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats purpose built for wildlife and nature watching. Boats are driven by one of our highly experienced skippers and crewed by a qualified wildlife guide.
Species that can be seen include harbour porpoise, dolphins and whales which feed in these food rich waters along with many seals and the occasional otter. There are deer on the islands and seabirds in the skies which are also home to both the white tailed sea eagle and golden eagle. Using our cabin RIBs we are able to offer tours to the whale feeding grounds in July and August and day tours to Iona, Staffa and the local Puffin colony.
Sealife Adventures
WEBSITE: www.sealife-adventures.com
TELEPHONE: 01631 571010; 01852 300203 (evenings and weekends)
EMAIL: info@sealife-adventures.com
ADDRESS: Clachan (Seil)
Three, four and five hour whale and wildlife trips aboard the purpose built 900 horsepower “Porpoise II” on the West Coast of Scotland near Oban in Argyll. Likely to seee porpoises, dolphins and minke whales and basking sharks. Bird watching highlights include sea eagles, golden eagles, and puffins. Meanwhile otters, seals, and deer can be seen along the shore.
Sea Life Mull
WEBSITE: www.sealifemull.co.uk
TELEPHONE: 01688 302916
EMAIL: cruises@sealifesurveys.com
ADDRESS: Tobermory (Isle of Mull)
2 – 7 hour wildlife and whale-watching cruises, private charters and package holidays aboard one of two vessels departing from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. Species likely to be seen are minke whales, basking sharks, harbour porpoise, common and grey seals, white-tailed and golden eagles and common dolphins are all sighted regularly during the summer months, as well as a variety of seabirds. Occasionally Risso’s dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and killer whales are also seen.
Seatrek Outer Hebrides
WEBSITE: www.seatrek.co.uk
TELEPHONE: 01851 672469
EMAIL: murray@seatrek.co.uk
ADDRESS: Uig (Isle of Lewis)
Wildlife cruises on a rigid inflatable – takes up to 12 passengers (day trips). Risso’s and white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, harbour porpoises and basking sharks.
Shearwater Cruises
WEBSITE: www.summerqueen.co.uk
TELEPHONE: 01854 612472
EMAIL: cruises@summerqueen.co.uk
ADDRESS: Ullapool (Ross and Cromarty)
We run trips to suit everybody; trips out on our custom built RIBs offer a unique combination Powerglide 50 Catamaran, built 2010, 15.1 mtr GRP hull. Twin 400hp engines, radar, plotter, 2 VHF radio, twin deck, passenger lounge, toilet. Cetaceans, pinnipeds and plenty of birds can be seen.
St Abbs Charters
WEBSITE www.stabbscharters.com
TELEPHONE: 07802 864870
EMAIL: info@stabbscharters.com
ADDRESS: St Abbs (Berwickshire)
We offer wildlife trips and scuba diving around St Abbs Head on our 10m Offshore 105 charter boat, Stingray which can carry 12 passengers and 2 crew. We run regular trips at the weekends for individuals and groups but are also available for whole boat charter for customised trips. Grey seals, bottlenose dolphins and occasional minke and humpback whales. The sea cliffs are covered in breeding colonies of razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes and gannets.
