Hebridean Island Odyssey Cruise

Dates: 27th April - 6th May 2024

Overview

A 9-night cruise around the Inner and Outer Hebrides, therefore making the most of the breeding season at the seabird cities as well as island-hopping too.

Combining some of our favourite locations in the Hebrides for wildlife and scenery, we will visit puffin colonies from Lunga in the south to the Shiants in the North Minch and a variety of islands in-between. This is a great time of year for seeing a variety of birds including puffins, golden eagles, and white-tailed eagles. Furthermore, our evenings will be spent in secluded natural anchorages. These are often adjacent to seals, otters, shorebirds, and other native wildlife offering even more chances for wildlife watching.

Guests will join the Hjalmar Bjørge around 1530 on Sat 27th April in Oban. The itinerary is dependent on the weather – consequently balancing shelter with reaching our preferred destinations. These are planned to include Mull, some of the the Small Isles (Rum, Canna, Eigg and Muck), the Isle of Skye, Coll or Tiree. 

Part of this exploration will include heading out off north-west Skye for the privately owned Shiant Isles. Here will be visiting the second of our main puffin and seabird colonies. The Shiants are a small archipelago in the middle of the Minch often described as a St Kilda in miniature. Furthermore, there will also be an opportunity to take in the island of Harris and Lewis when we are this far north. Finally, our return will see us sailing down the west coast of the spectacular Scottish Highlands. On the final day we head back into Oban for your departure after breakfast on Monday 6th May.

While all our adventures cruises have a rough itinerary in mind, they are subject to the vagaries of the weather and sea conditions each day. Your skipper will also know the best anchorages to aim for and may also respond to any particularly good wildlife spotting or shore excursion opportunities along the way.