New for 2020: Get off the beaten track on an Isle of Skye cruise
The Isle of Skye is a busy tourism hot spot, but there is one way to avoid the crowds and see the fabulous scenery, visit iconic destinations and spot rare wildlife in peaceful seclusion.
Visit the Isle of Skye from the sea on our new small-ship cruise, taking your luxury accommodation with you on your journey with gourmet cuisine guaranteed. Drop anchor in hidden bays, away from the effects of over tourism, while enjoying excellent Scottish hospitality. With a Wildlife Guide onboard, spot eagles, otters, dolphins and whales from both the ship and onshore
Owner and Skipper of Hebrides Cruises, Rob Barlow, has developed an exclusive new 8-night cruise “Cruise around Skye: secret coastlines” based on his intimate 30 year knowledge of the island and surrounding seas. The Isle of Skye has an amazing choice of outstanding locations to drop anchor. This new cruise itinerary circumnavigates the entire island, focusing on the unique wonders of the area, arriving from the sea. There is no way that such a great variety of amazing remote locations could be visited by land on an 8-night trip.
Departing from Oban, the Isle of Skye is approached from the south, with a choice of scenic anchorages and shore trips, including Loch Scavaig, Loch Coruisk, the township of Elgol and the Spar Cave on Loch Slappin. The Spar Cave, a cathedral-like limestone wonder, is an excellent example of an awe-inspiring visit from the sea. Further along the coast is Isleornsay, arguably the most attractive village on Skye, but off the beaten track, overlooking the pretty island of Ornsay.
After cruising under the Skye Bridge, the vessel arrives at the “Inner Sound”, a magnificent stretch of sheltered water between Skye and the Scottish mainland offering a choice of beautiful coastlines and small islands to explore. The geological wonder of the Isle of Raasay has hills, native forests and secluded beaches, providing excellent habitat for wildlife, including otters, seals, red deer, golden eagles and sea eagles. Shore visits to uninhabited islands such as the Crowlin Islands and the Isle of Rona provide an evocative glimpse into the history of deserted townships, where the people were tragically cleared from their homes to make way for sheep.
Arriving at the remote north coastline of Skye, keeping an eye out for whales and dolphins, the vessel enters Loch Snizort, between the Waternish and Trotternish Peninsulas, to visit the very remote Ascrib Islands, home to important seal and puffin colonies. Continuing to head west, as a complete contrast, there is the option to anchor in Loch Dunvegan and go ashore to visit Dunvegan Castle and gardens. Rounding the coast to the tip of the west coast of Skye, the cruise arrives at Moonen Bay to drop anchor for a shore trip to Neist Point, to explore the famous lighthouse and dramatic sea cliffs. A further shore excursion option on this Skye cruise is sheltered Loch Harport. and a trip to Talisker Distillery. With a final farewell to Skye, the cruise returns to Oban via the Small Isles and the Sound of Mull
Availability for "Cruise the Isle of Skye: secret coastlines" 2020
August 8th aboard Emma Jane ( 3 double ensuite cabins and one master ensuite cabin )– Book Now!
What a wonderful experience. Ever since we enjoyed a week on Lizzie G as a dive boat in 2014, we wanted to return and renew our acquaintance with her on a wildlife cruise. And what a week - it exceeded all our expectations. From the first welcome with Prosecco and amazing scones, to the last sad farewell, we had a fabulous time. Our fellow guests provided lovely company and the crew - whose love and enthusiasm for what they did shone through - looked after us royally. Hannah was an excellent wildlife guide, pointing out the wide range of wildlife we were lucky enough to see, Callum ‘glass of wine anyone’ a caring and attentive Bosun, Charlie provided us with superb Cordon Bleu meals throughout our stay and Alasdair as Skipper was not only superb at ensuring we had the best opportunities to see the wildlife, his company and story telling in the eve were great fun. The range of wildlife as noted every eve by Hannah was impressive, highlights had to be Sea Eagles just ‘posing’ for us as well as flying and passing food, Red Deer stag bellowing on the skyline, other sea birds too numerous to mention, and as for the dolphins….! A trip like this is always weather dependent, and although the elements were against us towards the end of the trip, the itinerary was adapted so we missed none of the highlights. In short - an outstanding week. Thanks to all who made it so.
Louisa & Martyn Nicholls: 9 September 2023Skye and the Small Isles: Hebridean horizons