Scottish Wildlife Cruises

Book your Scottish Cruise now for 2023 & 2024

Our exclusive wildlife cruise itineraries provide a sensational sea-going combination of luxury, adventure, and breathtaking encounters with wildlife. Each cruise itinerary focuses on an iconic area of the west coast of Scotland.

Some cruises explore evocative far-flung destinations such as St Kilda, Mingulay, the Monachs, the Shiants and the Summer Isles. Other itineraries take in the Outer Hebrides, visiting Barra, Vatersay, the Uists, Lewis and Harris. The inner Hebridean islands of Mull, Iona, Skye, Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna are always popular and the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness cruises are firm favourites. View our 2023/24 online brochure. 

New for 2023: "Sea Kingdom of the Southern Hebrides" 8-nights

This new cruise itinerary explores the distinctly diverse islands of the Southern Hebrides, including the Isle of Seil, the Garvellachs, Jura, Islay, Colonsay and Gigha. Visit ancient historic sites, glorious beaches, whisky distilleries and the Gulf of Corryvreckan, while spotting marine wildlife. Read more on our news page. This 8-night cruise departs July 15th, aboard Emma Jane and July 29th, aboard Elizabeth G in 2023 - book now

Skipper Rob's 250th trip to St Kilda 

On July 29th, Rob Barlow set off from Oban on Elizabeth G, Skippering a 10-night cruise for the Outer Hebrides and St Kilda. This cruise was particularly evocative for Rob as this was his 250th trip to St Kilda during 25 years of cruising the Hebrides. Read more on our news page>

Discover the outstanding beauty of the Hebrides from the sea

Cruising the coastlines of the Hebrides is an unforgettable experience. The sheer beauty of the scenery will take your breath away and it really does feel as if you have escaped to another world. The cruise stopovers always include some visits to the most idyllic beaches and bays, where there are no other people, only wildlife. The cruise itinerary is not set, it will vary depending on weather conditions, opportunities to spot wildlife, and the wishes of guests.  Each evening, The Skipper and Wildlife Expert join our guests for dinner to discuss the possibilities for itineraries and shore trips the following day. Feel the freedom and experience the magic of our wildlife cruises.
 

Scottish Wildlife Cruises with breathtaking encounters

Our sharp-eyed and highly qualified Wildlife Guides continually scan the seas, land and skies to ensure our guests experience amazing wildlife sightings. A surfacing minke whale, bow-riding short-beaked dolphins, an otter playing in the seaweed, eagles wheeling overhead, porpoises and seals are seen on almost every cruise, as are around 80 bird species. Rarities such as orca (killer whales), basking sharks and other types of whales appear less often but if they are there, our Crews will spot them.  They know the best habitats to visit, can identify all species and have heaps of wildlife knowledge at their fingertips which they happily pass onto our guests.
 

Wildlife Experts and accompanied onshore excursions

Our wildlife cruises are unique in the Scottish small-ship cruising sector because of the marine and wildlife expertise of our crews. Our wildlife experts are onboard all our cruises, they know the best habitats where the wildlife hangs out, the signs to look out for when wildlife is around and will identify and provide information on all species seen or heard. Whether onboard or onshore, if the wildlife is there, they will find it for you. Have a look at our wildlife gallery which features over 100 rare and iconic species we see while cruising. We will continue to add the many other less obvious but just as fascinating species spotted. View the nature and wildlife gallery here> 

Get a taste of the fabulous food served onboard our cruises

The meals served onboard our vessels by our Chefs are legendary. All food is prepared from fresh, local ingredients, creating delicious dishes that get rave reviews from our guests.  A speciality of Hebrides Cruises is hand-dived scallops, often provided by the Skipper on board actually doing the dive! View our Fabulous Food Gallery>

Read our guest reviews

Trip Advisor don't review cruises, so we have our own review system on our website where guests can leave a review in their own words, unedited. We are delighted at the 100% positive reviews we have received on our website.  Read our guest reviews>