Wildlife Exploration Boat Experience

by boat & on foot

Departing from the tender landing stage you will join your exclusively chartered boat, the MV Islander, and cruise out of Tobermory into the Sound of Mull - the tidal channel separating the Hebridean Isle of Mull from mainland Scotland. The area has a rich and fascinating history including the mysterious Spanish Galleon, which sank in Tobermory Bay during the Spanish Armada - the brutal ‘Battle of Bloody Bay’.

The Sound stretches for 29km (18 miles) and is sheltered by rising land on both sides from the strong Atlantic breeze. From your boat you may catch glimpse of the Rubhanan Gall Lighthouse, designed by Thomas and David Stevenson and opened in 1857. The name means ‘Strangers Point’ in Scottish Gaelic.

There are over 260 species of birds known around this area. From sea birds such as cormorant and guillemot or perhaps more famously you may see a golden eagle, the national bird of Scotland. You may also see the beautiful white-tailed eagle which are the subject of a tremendously successful conservation story, these birds have nested on Mull since their reintroduction to Scotland in the 1970s.

As you head into deeper waters you might see one of the harbour porpoises, the smallest member of the whale and dolphin family found around Britain. These waters are also home to larger creatures such as bottlenose dolphins, minke whales and basking sharks but they are only occasionally seen.

Before returning to port, you may cruise past the haul out site for common and grey seals. A haul out site is the location on land where seals come out of the water to rest, breed and to have pups. You will also sail past uninhabited Calve Island which is home to wading birds and the occasional otter.

After your experience you will join the ‘tender’ transfer back to the ship.