GAIRLOCH MARINE WILDLIFE
CENTRE AND CRUISES
Leading the way in responsible Marine Wildlife encounters
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Our Cruises
SeaQuest
Join Ian, our expert marine biologist, on one of our marine wildlife survey cruises aboard SeaQuest MRV. Our trips are suitable for all interests and we record sightings of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, their location, behaviour and numbers on every trip. We also have frequent sightings of Otters, Grey and Common Seals various species of seabird and also Raptors including White-tailed Eagles and Golden Eagles. Ian is also able to give commentary in Spanish, Italian, French, Dutch and German.
2 HOUR WILDLIFE SURVEY CRUISE
On our two hour survey cruise, we explore the inner waters of Loch Gairloch, stopping at Glas Eilean and Longa to see the nesting birds including Black Guillemots, Gulls, Cormorants, Shags and the wild origin of the city pigeon, the Pure Rock Dove. Ian will then head into the Little Minch. Throughout the trip we will be on the look out for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises as well as other interesting marine animals such as Basking Sharks, Ocean Sunfish and Rhizostoma Jellyfish.
ADULTS £40 CHILDREN £35
4 HOUR CRUISE June-September - Twice a week
Join us on our 4 hour Cetacean and Seabird City Cruise. From April to Mid August we head straight out into the Minch on the lookout for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises on route to the Magical Shiant Islands where all the Seabirds nest. Once we arrive you are surrounded by hundreds of thousands of seabirds including Puffins, Common Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmars and Kittiwakes among others. The vast number of seabirds nesting on these islands makes them the ideal hunting grounds for White-tailed Eagles and there are at least one pair nesting on the Islands and a number of juveniles from previous years. These magnificent birds are often seen hunting on the cliffs and scattering the nesting birds into the water around the boat. Common Seals and Grey Seals are often seen basking on the tidal rocks and other star species include Manx Shearwaters and Storm Petrels which have recently returned to the Islands to nest after the successful eradication of Black Rats.
Out of nesting season our 4 hour trips have no specific destination and where we go will depend on what/where local cetacean sightings have been.
Adults £80 Children £70
Private Cruises are also available. If you wish to to book a private charter we need to have plenty of notice to ensure we do not take booking for your chosen date/time.
2 Hour charters are available at a cost of £420
4 Hour charters are available at a cost of £900
Starquest - Available from mid May
Join Drew our experienced second skipper onboard Starquest for a cruise around Loch Gairloch and her Islands, you will be looking out for any Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises that are within the loch as well as Seals hauled out on tidal rocks around the islands and skerries. Drew is a passionate birder and will point out the nesting areas of our nesting birds such as Greater and Lesser Black Backed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Common Terns, Oystercatchers, Herons and many more. Eagles both Golden and White-tailed are sometimes seen hunting over the Islands for birds or rabbits and you may catch a glimpse of one of the Loch's resident Otters feeding among the seaweed or maybe even a Pine Marten or Roe Deer on one of the Islands. Drew is also Gairloch's most experienced sea-angling skipper and can also provide family friendly fishing trips.... see the fishing link above for details.
2 Hour
Adults £40 Children £35
Private charter £420