WESTERN ISLES SCOTLAND
Boat Operators
Certify: Gordan and Aileen McKay
dive-and-sea-the-hebrides.co.uk
We regularly enjoy topside sightings of an incredible range of wildlife from puffin and sea eagles to the Hebridean orca pod, a wide variety of cetacean and dolphin. Occasional in water encounters of basking shark and seal play an inspiring part in our summer dive trips. Do not forget your camera, you can be sure that adventures await.
Certified: Seumas and Anne Mackinnon
Misty Isle Boat Trips have been running boat trips from Elgol to Loch Coruisk on the Isle of Skye since 1969.
We look forward to giving you a warm Highland welcome to one of our famous Isle of Skye boat trips and know that you will join the thousands who have found us to be their favourite family outing on Skye.
Certified: Kenneth Mackinnon, William Macgillivray, Murray Gray
Day trips by boat from Skye to St Kilda - the last outpost of north-west Europe lying 85 miles west of Skye. St Kilda is a dual UNESCO world heritage site and national nature reserve. It’s home to the world’s largest colony of Gannets & Fulmars. Also the biggest colony of puffins in Britain with highest sea cliffs and sea stacks in Britain. Visit St Kilda to experience dramatic scenery, spectacular seabirds and unique isolation to ponder their poignant history.
Trips depart from Stein during April-September, please visit our website for sailing and availability.
Certified: Jordan Young, Paul MacAskill
SeaSkye boat tours depart from Carbost, Isle of Skye, just 200m past the famous Talisker Distillery. Escape the crowds to explore the North West coast of Skye visiting the Macleod
Maidens, Neist Point and Talisker Bay. See an abundance of wildlife such as Dolphins and
Seals. We have a range of trips departing daily on one of our comfortable safe open RIBs.
We will provide you with the waterproofs & safety gear, all we need is your smiles & spirit of adventure!
Certified: Paul Sharman, David Lambie
In 2019 Hebridean Adventures is very pleased to introduce our new selection of live- aboard cruises and also land-based tours.
We are offering two, four and six day cruises aboard our comfortable converted fishing boat, MV Monadhliath.
Running from April until October, these cruises will give you the chance to experience life aboard a data-gathering vessel whilst in search of some of the most special wildlife in British waters such as whales and dolphins.
Experts in marine and land-based ecology, we have created a selection of cruises to ensure that your holiday is one to remember.
We are the only wildlife watching, live-aboard vessel based in Stornoway and the North Minch.
Certified: Lewis Mackenzie
http://www.hebridesfishntrips.co.uk/
HEBRIDES FISH & TRIPS LIMITED offers private boat charters for 1 to 5 people, operating along the rugged East Coast of the Isle of Lewis. Departing from either Keose harbour in Loch Erisort or the pier in Marvig, South Lochs you can enjoy 3 or 4 hour trips exploring the many sea lochs which indent the coastline with breathtaking scenery, tranquil lagoons and abundant wildlife.
When you charter Fish ‘n’ Trips, it will be on a private charter basis which means that the boat and its skipper are for your exclusive use with no other guests aboard. The benefits of private charter are that there is no set itinerary so you can tailor your trip to what you want to do and can relax in the company of your own friends or family.
Certified: Seumas Morrison, James O’Donnell, Darren MacDonald, Iain Angus MacLeod
Operating from Leverburgh in the Isle of Harris, Sea Harris provide the fastest, greenest and most comfortable day trip to St Kilda from the Hebrides on their brand new, best in class vessel: the Enchanted Isle. From June we will also offer shorter trips in an 11m fully enclosed Stormforce RIB.
Sea Harris is a truly local business and our small team is able to offer a personal touch to your day trip to St Kilda. Owner and skipper Seumas has lived in Harris all his life and his worked the seas around his native island for over 25 years. He holds a masters certificate to the level of RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore, making him more than qualified for taking you on your trip to St Kilda.
Certified: Nick Ingledew
Certified: Frazer MacInnes, Donnie MacInnes, Kristoffer Milne
There is a truly incredible amount of wildlife to be seen around the coast of Tiree and your knowledgeable crew will make sure you see as much of it as possible, although sadly there are
no guarantees!
Certified: David Steele
We offer a wide variety of boat trips from 2 hour wildlife trips to day trips. We see whales, dolphins, seals, sea eagles and puffins along with many other wildlife highlights.
Certified: Ewen Grant, Janice Cooney
Operating out of Portree, Isle of Skye, we offer full or half day tours to the Isle of Rona and Raasay. Enjoy a relaxing cruise with plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities along the way, before mooring for a fresh, locally caught seafood lunch with a glass of wine or refreshment on board.
Certified: David Brown
Exhilarating wildlife and whale watching tours on our offshore RIBS (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats). Experience the remote and beautiful isles of Canna, Rum, Soay, Eigg and the Cuillin and Loch Coruisk. Breathtaking scenery, unique history and abundant wildlife - join us for regular sightings of Minke whales, Basking Sharks, Seals, Dolphins, Porpoises, Otters, Sea-Eagles, Puffins and majestic seabirds in this rich marine environment.
Certified: Robert Barlow
https://hebridescruises.co.uk/
Hebridean Charters offers seaborne access to view and photograph our varied mix of both sea life and wildlife along with utilisation as a marine study platform in a respectful manor to gain an appreciation of the many species on offer.
Dolphins, Whales, Basking Sharks, Otters, Sea Eagles and Golden Eagles often surprise visitors – our local seals and even the swimming deer are a sight to behold.
Our natural location in the Outer Hebrides provides Happy Splash& (an Aquabell 33) with excellent facilities to enhance your visit to our beautiful isles, Skipper Chippie and crew look after your safety and comfort.
Certified: Nick Davies (Master), Steve, Truluck, Veerle Van Den Bossche
What you can see The North Minch is one of Britain’s richest and most diverse marine wildlife environments. Many creatures are resident, many others are just passing through. The Minke Whale is commonly seen offshore in high summer and is occasionally spotted inshore later in the season.
The Humpback Whale can occasionally be found offshore from June onwards and the Killer Whale, resident in these waters, may be seen at any time of year.
Rare sightings are possible. Early and late in the season some great creatures of the deep pass through our waters, like the Sei Whale and Sperm and Fin whales. And in the summer months, Northern Bottlenose and Long-Finned Pilot whales have occasionally been seen offshore.
There is a good chance that you will see the diminutive Harbour Porpoise inshore and, from time
to time, the Bottlenose Dolphin. Both animals are also found offshore, as is the Common Dolphin, a regular deep-water summer visitor.
The larger Risso’s Dolphin is occasionally seen cruising offshore waters and there is a chance of less-common sightings of Atlantic White Sided and White-Beaked dolphins.
Cetified: Martin Kelvers
Mull Charters are now operating from Ulva ferry on the West Coast of Mull. We aim to provide a friendy relaxed service for up to 12 passengers.
Certified: Michael Taylor
https://www.mokseaadventures.co.uk/
We are based in Campbeltown, from where we run regular wildlife-watching trips to Sanda Island, Ailsa Craig and the Mull of Kintyre. We also provide skippered charter, including golf trips, to and from Ardrossan, Ayr, Ballycastle, Bangor, Brodick, Lochranza, Port Ellen, Rathlin and Troon.
Certified: Angus Newman, Alex Campbell, Hubert Brown
https://islay-sea-adventures.co.uk/
Islay Sea Adventures operator out of Port Ellen on the Isle of Islay. We run a wide range of trips: wildlife, fishing, seafood, Corryvreckan, dawn, dusk and private charters. On our wildlife trips we go up the south-east coast, passing world famous whisky distilleries and castles. We head to our Marine SAC where we can spot harbour seals, red deer, bottlenose dolphins, white-tailed eagles, seabirds and more. We have five charter boats, two RIB’s and three hard boats.
Certified: William Scott
https://www.hebrideancharters.com
Hebridean Charters offers seaborne access to view and photograph our varied mix of both sea life and wildlife along with utilisation as a marine study platform in a respectful manor to gain an appreciation of the many species on offer.
Dolphins, Whales, Basking Sharks, Otters, Sea Eagles and Golden Eagles often surprise visitors – our local seals and even the swimming deer are a sight to behold. Our natural location in the Outer Hebrides provides Happy Splash& (an Aquabell 33) with excellent facilities to enhance your visit to our beautiful isles, Skipper Chippie and crew look after your safety and comfort.
Certified: Graham Tindal
We run trips twice a day from the Isle of Iona and Fionnphort to the uninhabited Isle of Staffa. Our local skipper and crew will give you lots of information and local history and are always available
to answer questions. During our trips you may see dolphins, basking sharks, seals and an array of bird life, including puffins nesting ashore on Staffa. You can also see oystercatchers, shags,
guillemots and razorbills, plus many others. With over an hour ashore you have plenty of time to explore the island, vist Fingal’s Cave and watch the majestic puffins.
Certified: Lou Gordon
www.skyeseafariexperience.co.uk
Isle of Skye Seafari Experience offer stunning coastal seafaris from the Bay of Portree, adventuring around the coasts of Skye, Raasay and Rona.
Certified: Neil MacLeod – Standard, Norma MacLeod - Adventure
https://www.immersehebrides.com
Based in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis your lead guides are Norman and Neil, a husband and wife team with extensive and in-depth knowledge of the best places to swim in the surrounding waters of Lewis and Harris. Join us for swims along the white sandy beaches and turquoise coastlines, suitable for all abilities. The choice of location will be tailored to your requirements but will depend on the conditions of the day.
For the more experienced sea-swimmer we offer more challenging swims between the small islands across channels or around rugged areas of coastline with water safety provided.
Long-distance swims to outer islands can be arranged by special request. Loch swimmimg is
also available.
Certified: Euan Ribbeck
Adventure Operators
Certified: Kate Duffus
Sea Kayak coaching and guided trips for paddlers with some kayaking experience.
ORKNEY
Coastal Operator
SHETLAND
Boat Operators
Certified: Marvyn Johnson, Marie Leask and Brian Leask
We are Shetland’s Original, Multi-Award Winning Noss Boat Tour Business and the only tour boat in Shetland to have a Visit Scotland 5-Star Grading. We are a local family run business, operated by Marie & Brian Leask, both Shetland born and bred.
On our tours, you travel with highly experienced Noss Boat crew to experience an amazing wildlife spectacle. Our daily cruises take you around Bressay & Noss National Nature Reserve – one of Europe’s most sensational reserves. Our catamaran sports panoramic views so you can take in the breath-taking sights of this magnificent seabird metropolis, fully and uninterrupted. No guarantees but if really lucky, we might even see Orcas, Minke Whales, Porpoises, dolphins or Otters.
Join us on our Supreme Noss Boat Tours, we guarantee to get you…Up Close & Personal.
Certified: Rebecca Nason, Phil Harris
We are Shetland's premier Noss Boat wildlife tour company, the only naturalist & conservationist-led, eco-friendly, multi-award-winning, local family run business. Our passengers experience a real "Gannet's Eye View" with a breath-taking seabird spectacular, visiting the seabird metropolis of Noss, home in the summer months to over 25,000 northern gannets, thousands of other seabirds & regular cetacean sightings.
