wildlife tours oban

From the start of the season till mid May, we will be using our catamaran, Celtic Adventurer, for most of our Corryvreckan wildlife tours.

CORRYVRECKAN WILDLIFE TRIPS

A fantastic, 2 hours, general marine wildlife tour….

More Information

BOOK THIS TOUR

WHIRLPOOL SPECIAL

See the corryvreckan whirlpool at its best, during the big spring tides….

CORRYVRECKAN WILDLIFE & WHALES TOUR

A 3 hour tour in our traditional boat to see thse magnificent animals….

IONA & STAFFA & PUFFIN COLONY

Full day trip to iona with plenty of time ashore to enjoy the abbey…, private charter, our high speed boats are available for private charter from easdale, oban or from any point throughout the argyll…, welcome to seafari adventures.

Seafari Adventures offers exceptional wildlife and nature boat trips to see whales, porpoises and sea birds from our base at Easdale, Oban, Scotland. Experience the Gulf of Corryvreckan, home of the World’s Third Largest Whirlpool.

We are Oban’s original Visit Scotland 5 Star accredited marine wildlife tour company and specialise in offering a unique combination of high adventure and pure exhilaration with the excitement and sheer pleasure of close encounters with Scotland’s magnificent sealife and scenery.

What our customers say

View on tripadvisor.

NATURE AND WILDLIFE

Our tours are a well managed wildlife experience ensuring maximum enjoyment for customers whilst also recognising the importance of minimum disturbance to nature and wildlife..

YOUR BOAT TOUR EXPERIENCE

Sealife Adventures

Wildlife and whale watching boat trips and cruises on the West Coast of Scotland, near Oban, Argyll. Overlooking the Isle of Mull

Buy Vouchers

Sealife Adventures run whale search and wildlife watching boat trips from our pontoon on the mainland near Oban on the west coast of Scotland.

The area is exceptional for porpoise, minke whales, dolphins, basking sharks, otters and seals. Bird watching highlights include sea eagles, golden eagles, puffins and a great variety of seabirds.

The Firth of Lorn Special Area of Conservation / Marine Protected Area is one of the few sites in Scotland to have enjoyed a high level of long term protection.

We run 3, 4 and 5 hour tours, all of which visit the Corryvreckan whirlpool.

All ages welcome!

Click arrows or swipe to view more images. All photographs on our website have been taken by our talented Sealife Adventures team!

Whale, porpoise, dolphin & eagle watching hotspot (read more)

The firth of lorn special area of conservation embraces uninhabited islands and dramatic sea cliffs. golden and sea eagles are resident and the rugged coastline is home to otters, deer, and wild goats., rich feeding grounds create a hotspot for sightings of whales, porpoises, dolphins, basking sharks and an amazing abundance of seabirds. scallop-dredging and tangle-netting are banned and these waters host an internationally important population of porpoises and seals. the sac is rivalled only by st. kilda in terms of the variety of marine species., most experienced operator, established over 30 years (read more), marine biologist david ainsley set up sealife adventures 30 years ago, and is the most experienced skipper in the firth of lorn special area of conservation. david is an rya yachtmaster offshore, and an underwater tv cameraman., your knowledgable, capable and enthusiastic wildlife guide will ensure that you have a trip to remember, with plenty of stories about the wildlife, local history and whirlpool. they’ll pay special attention to children, and provide an endless supply of hot drinks and biscuits our aim is to make sure that the trip is the highlight of your holiday., most powerful, spacious and seaworthy boat (read more), with almost 900 horsepower, our large, seaworthy boat offers a unique combination of exceptional speed, range, uncrowded comfort and stability. we hold the highest certificate of seaworthiness in the area. it is the largest charter boat in the area and boats of this type can be licensed to carry 56 passengers. we carry just 12 so that there is plenty of room to move around., david built this boat (his third vessel over the years) to be the ultimate for whale and wildlife trips. it enables us to reach the best areas for whales, and its twin engines are silenced to minimise disturbance to wildlife. with its size and stability, heated wheelhouse, complimentary refreshments and washroom facilities, we aim to take you on a comfortable and memorable trip, wheelchair friendly private pontoon & car park (read more), we provide a spacious private car park right next to the pontoon. we have a specially designed pontoon with ramps enabling easy access to the boat for wheelchair users. as with most boats of this size the toilet and wheelhouse are not wheelchair accessible, if you are a wheelchair user please phone david to have a chat about your requirements., responsible wildlife watching (read more), we avoid disturbing wildlife by using silenced engines and a quiet approach. david teaches on wise courses which encourage people to watch wildlife without stressing the animals we go to see., we provide complimentary binoculars to our guests..

TripAdvisor Reviews

“This was our third trip over the past few years and each time we’ve seen porpoises, eagles, seals and many different sea birds. The boat is very comfortable and the crew have always been very friendly and we loved the folk tales about the area.”

“We had a fantastic day on this trip. The weather was perfect, we saw seals, porpoises, deer, a sea eagle and the highlight of the trip was seeing a minke whale. Such a great experience. David and Karen were very informative, friendly and full of knowledge and information making the trip even more memorable. David doesn’t just run boat trips, he has been involved in making this area one of the best protected areas in the UK resulting in a massive increase in the numbers of porpoises. Would highly recommend this trip. The boat is very spacious for the number on board giving plenty of room for everyone to move around.”

“This is a trip filled with stories of local myth and legend interspersed lessons on the wonders of natural wildlife and local conservation. The professionalism of the staff was amazing and they all took the time and trouble to make sure that we saw a wide variety of wildlife with personal one to one conversations. We were encouraged to ask questions which were all answered very knowledgeabley. The weather was amazing on our trip but it wouldn’t have mattered had it been otherwise. Well worth going. I would highly recommend it.”

Visit our TripAdvisor Page!

THE 10 BEST Oban Nature & Wildlife Tours

Nature & wildlife tours in oban.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Kilchurn Castle
• Stirling Castle
• National Wallace Monument
• The Kelpies & The Helix
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. 4-day Islay Platinum Whisky Tour - Whisky Included! With free pickup!

2. 5-Day Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness From Edinburgh

3. Oban and the West Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh

4. Private Luxury Tour of Loch Lomond, Oban, Glencoe & The Highlands

5. Oban and Glencoe Private Day Tour in Luxury MPV from Glasgow

6. One Day Private Sailing from Oban Marina with Lunch

7. Historical Tour and Seafood Experience

8. Full Day Private Tour in West Highlands, Oban and Glencoe

9. 2-Day Loch Lomond, West Highlands, Glencoe & Oban Tour

10. Oban, Whisky, Glencoe, Highlands, Loch Lomond Private Tour

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Glenaladale Cruise - Great for wizard spotting!

Gaskan cruise - Golden Eagles!

Find a hidden Glen in Scotland's woods

One Day West Highland Way Hiking Tour from Glasgow

Wildlife Watching Safari by Vehicle & Walks / Photography workshops with a Guide

Quad Bike Private Tour in Achaderry Estate

Guided Hebridean Farm Hike near Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland

Group Walk up Ben Nevis from Fort William

Ben Nevis Open Group Walks

25 Shot Clay Pigeon Shooting Experience

Eilean Donan, Loch Ness & Glenfinnan - 2 Day Tour from Glasgow

Guided Running Tour of Glasgow

Discover Scotland Off the Beaten Track

Segway Experience - Woodlands Glencoe

Ben Nevis Guided walks

Ben Nevis Guided Hike

Private Tour of Ben Nevis from Fort William

White Water Rafting on the River Garry near Fort William | Scotland

Canyoning in Laggan Canyon | Scotland

Private Trek to the Summit of Ben Nevis with a Licensed Guide

What travelers are saying.

• Historical Tour and Seafood Experience
• Oban and the West Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh
• 4-day Islay Platinum Whisky Tour - Whisky Included! With free pickup!
• 5-Day Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness From Edinburgh
• Oban, Whisky, Glencoe, Highlands, Loch Lomond Private Tour
• Oban Sea Tours
• Basking Shark Scotland
• Hebridean Adventures
• Allan's Boat Trips
• Stravaigin Sailing
• Northern Light Cruising Company
• VentureSail Holidays

Argyll Sea Tours, Oban

Friendly oban sea tours, wildlife cruises and fishing trips, seal colony trips.

1 Hour boat trip from Oban round the north end of Kerrera to visit the seals on their private island

Historical / Wildlife Trips

2 Hour wildlife cruise, making the most of Captain Jack's local knowledge of the area's history and wildlife

Fishing Trips

3 hour fishing trip where you'll fish mainly mackerel, with all equipment included and no experience needed

Bespoke Charters

Fishing trips, weddings, pirate themed birthday parties, you name it. Get in touch with us to discuss your needs

Jump on board MV Creagallan with Oban local, Captain Jack

Jack and Linda Macgregor are Oban born and bred and know the area intimately. That means you have the best chance of seeing the stunning wildlife and scenery the area has to offer, while learning about Oban’s rich history. 

Why book with us?

Highly Experienced

Local knowledge, pet friendly, competitive price, stunning scenery.

We've started online booking

We’re phasing in online booking, have a look at the options now!

Web design and development by Derw | Hosting by Pole Position

Bookings Mob: 07919 615210 Tel: 01631 565833

Click to enlarge images

• contact & links

Wildlife Boat Trips from Oban

Coastal Connection specialise in scenic, wildlife cruises in the Sound of Mull and around the islands in the Firth of Lorn Special Area of Conservation.

In these waters we have a wealth of marine mammals and a huge range of bird life. Depending on the season, there can be sightings of basking sharks, dolphins, porpoise, common seals, otters and occasionally minke whale. The diverse range of sea birds includes sea eagles, gannets, guillemots, razorbills, great northern divers, shearwaters, terns, cormorants, common shags, herons and greater black backed gulls to name but a few.

We take great care to minimise disturbance to animals at all times but can usually, with care, get close enough to allow great photo opportunities. Some destinations present a chance to see red deer, highland cattle and wild goats on the shore.

Coastal Connection Shiol, Lerags, Oban, Argyll PA34 4SF Mob: 07919 615210 | Tel: 01631 565833 | [email protected]

Website design & hosting by Pole Position

• Become a Pilot
• Aeroplane Lessons
• Helicopter Lessons
• Microlight Lesson
• Gyrocopter Lesson
• Drone Lesson
• Flying experiences
• Introductory Flight
• Flight Simulators
• Boeing 737-800 Simulator
• Airbus A320 Simulator
• Sightseeing Tours
• Helicopter Tours Glasgow
• Helicopter Tours Edinburgh
• Helicopter Tours Stirling
• All Helicopter Tours
• Private Helicopter Tours
• Helicopter Charter
• View all in Flying
• Supercar Driving
• Supercar Self-Drive Hire
• Supercar track days
• Ingliston Circuit
• Fife Airport Circuit
• East Fortune Circuit
• Crail Circuit
• Teen Supercar Drive
• Extreme Machines
• Tank Driving
• Tractor Driving
• Off Road Driving
• Quad Biking
• Lorry Driving
• Junior Driving Lessons
• Segway Tours
• Supercar Passenger Experiences
• Classic Car Hire
• Electric Trial Bikes
• View all in Driving
• Loch Lomond
• Champagne Cruise on Loch Lomond
• Kayaking on Loch Lomond
• White Water Rafting
• Speedboats & Jet Skis
• Paddle Sports
• Sailing Experiences
• Historic Steamship Cruises
• Loch Tay Sightseeing Cruise
• Edinburgh Sailing Trip
• View all in Boating
• Outdoor Adventure
• Extreme Sports
• Watersports
• Sphereing Adventure
• Bungee Jumping
• Water-skiing
• Coasteering in Dunbar
• Unique Days
• Shark Diving at Deep Sea World
• Husky Sled Riding
• Snow Sports
• Family Adventures
• Zip Wire Trips
• Mountain Bike Trails
• View all in Adventure
• Grand Days Out
• A Day At the Races
• Sightseeing Trips
• Fishing Experiences
• Learn a New Skill
• Photography Experiences
• Pottery & Ceramics
• Floristry & Plant Workshops
• Kiltmaking Experiences
• stone-lettering-carving
• Arts & Crafts
• Luxury Lifestyle
• Music & Recording Studio
• Jewellery Workshops
• Casino Experiences
• Luxury Trips
• Beauty & Make-up Lessons
• View all in Lifestyle
• Cook Schools
• Vintage Bus Dining
• Perfect Beverages
• Cocktail Making
• View all in Gourmet
• Lodge on Loch Lomond
• Gleddoch House
• Cairndow Stagecoach Inn
• Hotel voucher
• Gleddoch Spa
• Rejuvenate Spa Experience
• Spa Hotel Break
• Restaurants
• Multi-choice Golf
• Train with a Pro
• Active Kids
• HGV Driving
• Junior Flying Experience
• Flight Simulator Experience
• Educational
• Family Alpaca Trek
• Family days
• Recording Studio Session
• Family Quad Biking
• View all in Family
• Open Value Voucher
• Open value voucher
• Revalidations
• Revalidate voucher
• Everything Else

1 Year validity

Changed your mind, free exchanges, scotland's biggest, guest support, puffin and wildlife boat tour, oban.

• Enjoy a full day trip spotting wildlife including seals, dolphins, whales and seabirds
• Plenty of photo opportunities throughout
• Spend 2-3 hours puffin watching on the seabird's island

If you are a fan of the majestic Puffin, then you will love this one day boat tour to the seabird’s island off the west coast of Scotland. This is a spectacular day out enjoying the beautiful scenery of Scotland from the water.

Upon arrival at the marina, you will be welcomed aboard by your guide who’ll introduce you to your fellow day trippers for this personalised tour.  Once briefed and settled in, you’ll set off on your journey to the Puffin’s Island.

Your knowledgeable guide will point out the stunning scenery and culture of the area highlighting points of interest and their history. Ensure you have your camera at the ready to snap photos of seals, dolphins, whales and if you’re lucky you might even spot a basking shark or two!

Marketing Once moored, hop off the boat and prepare to enjoy a couple of hours of Puffin watching. There can be up to 3000 Puffins on the island in addition to other seabirds such as Razorbills, Guillemots and Fulmars to name a few.

Around the cliffs, there are numerous burrows where puffins nest, you’ll be able to get close to the burrows and watch the adults fly back and forth bringing fish to the burrow. Try and capture the photographer’s dream shot of a ‘puffin with a fish in its beak’!

On the return trip enjoy a short break at Tobermory, more famously known as Balamory, where you can enjoy a hot drink with a delicious homemade traybake.

This is the perfect experience for the wildlife lover and avid photographer in your life!

Available at 1 location:

Participants:.

This voucher entitles one person to the experience

Approximately 8 hours

Requires favourable weather conditions. Runs from April to July on selected dates

Restrictions:

A basic level of fitness is required to hop on and off the boat on the island

Spectators:

Not suitable for spectators

This voucher is valid for 1 year from dare of purchase

Latest Customer feedback

The voucher.

• Dispatched same-day when ordered before 4pm
• Contains full experience information
• Booking instructions inside
• Your own personalised message printed on the voucher
• The best way to gift the experience of a lifetime!

You might also like...

Kayak or stand up paddle boarding seal safari, oban.

Enjoy an amazing full day experience and go out on a kayak or stand up paddle board among some Common, Harbour and Grey Seals!

Oban Bay or Castle Stalker Sightseeing Tour, from Oban Airport

Take in the breathtaking views of Oban and the surrounding area on this flying sightseeing tour

Can't find a gift you like?

Give them a choice with a value voucher. With the same great validity as an experience voucher, they choose what they want to do from our catalogue of 633 experiences!

You can also earn Gift Rewards on this purchase

Click Here to Call : +44 (0)7871 463755

Explore Scotland from Sea to Shore

Join us for the best all-inclusive Scottish island and wildlife adventure cruises aboard the Hjalmar Bjørge from Oban around the beautiful Inner and Outer Hebrides.

Wildlife-Watching Adventures

The Hebrides are rich in eagles, seals, otters, gannets and puffins. But did you know they are one of the best places in Europe to spot whales, dolphins and porpoise too?

An Experience to Remember

With itineraries to suit all tastes, our Scottish island and Hebridean cruises will create long-lasting memories sure to bring a smile to your face for years to come.

Make the most of your holidays

Hebridean Adventures Cruises

Please take a look at our short video which will give you a flavour of who we are and why you should join us for a Scottish cruise adventure around the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the West Coast of the Highlands plus occasional special destinations too. We encourage you to share this video with your friends and family and make up a small group. We also offer Private Charters for your own unique getaway around the islands. Get in touch today!

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE

Scottish Scenic Wildlife Cruises and Tours

Hebridean Adventures' experiences start with our all inclusive scheduled cruises from Oban or private charter cruises around Scotland's West Coast Highlands and Hebridean Islands, or even further afield on occasion. We look forward to welcoming you aboard the MV Hjalmar Bjørge   in Oban (also trading as The Northern Light Cruising Company ). 

For amazing wildlife-watching day trips you can also enjoy an amazing day touring  Lewis and Harris with our  Lewis & Harris Safari , or explore the Isle of Skye with our sister company  SKYEFARI .

Click the images below to view more details

Subscribe to our newsletter

We'd love to keep you up to date with the latest news and updates from the world of Hebridean Adventures and SKYEFARI 4x4 Wildlife Tours. 

You can of course unsubscribe at any time - there is always an easy link for you to do so.

See what previous guests have said about us...

Latest news and reports.

Have a quick read of our latest blog posts below or choose the Blog option here or in the menu above to browse through them all.

Thirty Years of Adventures in Search of the Past - The Outer Hebrides

Marc Calhoun's new book sharing three decades worth of adventures to the fascinating islands of the Outer Hebrides, filled with history and amazing sights. 

Chris Packham's Birdwatching Guide - From Beginner to Birder

A review of Chris Packham's brand new book about birdwatching.

Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust's Boat Operator Celebration

We recently attended HWDT's Boat Operator Celebration last week at SAMS in Oban. A great gathering of our fellow small-ship cruise operators.

Our affiliations and partners

We are proud to be associated with the following tourism, conservation and other organisations. Please take a look at our   Green & Sustainability Page for full details of all our commitments and partnerships.

Browse our Scottish cruises ...

Please use the drop-down search filters below to view the cruises that match your preferences (or leave them empty to search for all cruises).

You can select one of our boat names in the first "subcategory" section.

Get the latest news and updates.

Office Address: Hebridean Adventures Ltd, Tullielarach, Tulliemet, Pitlochry, PH9 0NZ, Scotland.

Contact: [email protected] / +44 (0)7871 463755

Enquiry form

Tour Information

What can you see on our tour?

Our tour offers something for everyone...

Our tour offers wildlife, scenery and historical landmarks. Throughout the tour our well informed guides will provide commentary about the local wildlife, history of the area, castles and other landmarks.

Home to one of the rarest birds of prey in the UK.

The island of Mull is home to one of the rarest birds of prey in the UK, the white-tailed sea eagle. This eagle was hunted to extinction during the early 1900s but due to a reintroduction project in the 1970’s, there is a healthy population established on the Isle of Mull. The first introduction occurred in 1975 on the Isle of Rum and as the population expanded the sea eagle moved south to the Isle of Mull. This is now home to a thriving population of breeding pairs throughout the island. These huge eagles have a wingspan of over 2 meters, with a distinct white head and tail feathers. Our tour shadows the island's coastline as this is a prime location to spot one of these majestic birds. The birds can often be seen hunting for their next meal in the Firth of Lorn, with a varied diet of fish and seabirds. Our tour offers you the opportunity to spot one of the UK’s rarest bird species.

Marine wildlife on tour.

In addition to the Sea Eagle, the Firth of Lorn is also home to many other bird species. This includes many species of sea birds including; Great Northern Divers, Black Guillemot, Common Guillemot and Manx Shearwaters. You are likely to encounter marine wildlife as well on our tour. With frequent sightings of pods of dolphins and porpoises in the Firth of Lorn. The dolphins are often playful and will ride along with the boat. Species of whale can be also be seen on occasion, commonly the minke whale. Our tour will also give passengers the opportunity to see the local seal colony which is present all year round. The route of our tour covers a large section of the Firth’s coastline and this is home to one of Scotland's most elusive mammals, the otter. These shy animals are seen close to the coastline where they spend time feeding.

Iconic Landmarks.

As well as plenty of wildlife, our tour offers views of spectacular scenery and historic landmarks. This includes 3 Scottish castles; Gylen, Duart and Dunollie. These castles are set close to the coast and can be seen in comfort from our boat. Gylen Castle is situated on the shores of the Island of Kerrera and was built by the clan MacDougall in the 1500’s. The second castle is Duart castle on the Isle of Mull. Duart is home to the clan MacLean. The third castle and the oldest is Dunollie castle. Dunollie is situated on the Argyll coastline, at the North entrance into Oban bay. The castle dates back to the reign of the Lord of The Isles but despite being abandoned for hundreds of years it is still a prominent feature.

In addition to three castles, you will also see an iconic Stevenson lighthouse. Lismore Lighthouse was designed by Robert Stevenson. The Stevenson family were renowned Scottish engineers specialising in lighthouses. Many of these lighthouses are situated around the Scottish coastline.

Joining us on board.

Our tour departs from the North Pier in Oban. The North Pier is a commercial pier so we ask passengers to be vigilant and not obstruct the main road to the pier when making their way to the departure point. As a result, passengers should arrive at the departure point, at the earliest, 10 minutes before the tour departure time. There is no parking available on the pier but on our FAQ page, we have an interactive map pointing out places to park in the town. North Pier postcode: PA34 5QD.

Historical Landmarks ON the tour

• MCCAIGS TOWER
• GYLEN CASTLE
• DUART CASTLE
• LISMORE LIGHTHOUSE
• DUNOLLIE CASTLE

Ready to tour oban?

Oban Sea Tours

© Copyright Oban Sea Tours Ltd | Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions & Media Credits | Company Reg No: SC688148 | Website Designed & Developed by Made in Scotland

Nature & Wildlife

Our marine environment is an ecosystem of international significance with a very diverse coastline and it is home to the first Mission Blue Hope Spot in Scotland and on the UK mainland.

Our celestial - or extra-terrestrial - environment is pretty special too with some of the darkest skies in Europe and the perfect west coast conditions for stunning sunsets.

Eco-tourism in Oban, Lorn & the Isles

Getting out on the water has always been popular in Oban, Lorn & the Isles. Today, there are many eco-tourism providers that offer trips focussing on the amazing wildlife and marine environment and promote responsible tourism. 

And what a wealth of wildlife and outstanding natural history this area offers.

There are deserted islands, ancient castles and monasteries on the land and an amazing diversity of wildlife on land and above and below the seas.

How better to spend a day of your holiday than at sea with a licensed operator who will take you to the best spots to view wildlife while all around you is the magnificent scenery of the west coast of Scotland?

For many visitors, such a tour is the highlight of their stay around Oban.

The Firth of Lorn Special Area of Conservation just south of Oban is an area of outstanding natural beauty, of uninhabited islands with dramatic sea cliffs and one of the largest whirlpools in the world, the Gulf of Corryvreckan.

Rich feeding grounds make this area a hot spot for sightings of whales, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks and an amazing number and variety of seabirds. Sea eagles, golden eagles, peregrine falcons and buzzards are resident and are frequently seen. Along the rugged coastline are seals, otters, deer and wild goats.

Are you ready to experience more?

Nature Experiences

West Coast Tours

Burial sites of ancient kings, geological wonders, unchanged landscapes, idyllic beaches, glorious glens, abundant wildlife and magical islands!  Our day tou...

Head Office 17 George Street Oban PA34 5RS

Tel: 01586 552319

Seafari Adventures (Oban) Ltd

Seafari Adventures are a 5* Visit Scotland marine wildlife tour operator. Based in the conservation area of Easdale, 16 miles south of Oban. Our Wildlife Tou...

Seafari Adventures The Village Shop Easdale Oban PA34 4RQ

Tel: 01852 300003

Basking Shark Scotland

Operating across Argyll & the Isles, our wildlife watching adventures run from April - October. Basking Shark Scotland is the only dedicated snorkel oper...

Oban PA34 5PZ

Tel: 07975 723140

Sealife Adventures

All our trips visit the Corryvreckan where turbulent tides create one of the world's largest whirlpools and our cruising area is exceptionally rich in wildli...

Clachan Seil By Oban PA34 4TR

Tel: 01631 571010 (daytime) 01852 300203 (evening and weekends)

Top reasons to visit

Glorious gardens in oban, lorn & the isles.

The mild west coast climate and historic connections with some of Scotland's best known Victorian plant collectors and horticulturalists have provided ideal growing conditions for some spectacular gardens across Oban, Lorn & the Isles.

Most are open to the public all year round, some have seasonal opening and others are privately owned and only open for charity as part of Scotland's Gardens Scheme.

Flower and plant lovers won’t want to miss the ancient gardens at Ardchattan Priory, to the spectacular rhododendrons and Asian flowers of Arduaine Gardens, where visitors can discover native and exotic species of plants and trees and spend hours wandering the miles of landscaped paths amongst fragrant flowers and beautiful foliage.

No two gardens are alike- some are more formal - while others have a bit of a wild feel. Whether you are looking for a quiet spot for contemplation or a place to let the kids explore, visitors will be sure to find the gardens of Oban & Lorn glorious indeed!

Be inspired by our blogs below

7 Beautiful Beaches on the Isle of Mull

Looking for a day trip from Oban to the beach? Jump on the ferry and head to the beautiful Hebridean Isle of Mull to discover these beautiful 7 beaches!

Top 5 Oban Wildlife Boat Tours: Spot sharks, whales, seals and more!

Sharks, whales, seals and more, Oban & Lorn is a great place to get up close and personal with Scotland’s sealife. Here are the top 5 Oban wildlife boat tours.

Explore Oban

Whether it’s seafood, whisky, chocolate or ice cream, our larder is overflowing with delectable edibles.

From modern luxury in the heart of Oban to family-friendly self-catering, we have just the place.

Looking for clothing, whisky, shoes, soaps, jewellery, art, souvenirs or just a little something for yourself?

We've noticed that you're using an out of date browser. We recommend that you update to the latest version to enhance your browsing experience.

Oban Sea Tours vessel - MV Islander

Oban Sea Tours

Oban Sea Tours provide daily boat trips departing from the seaside town of Oban. Our tour explores the Firth of Lorn with its abundant wildlife, historic castles and stunning scenery.

Oban Sea Tours provide daily tours from the seaside town of Oban.  On our tour  we hope to see a variety of wildlife including seals, porpoise, sea eagles, sea birds and occasionally otters and dolphins. In addition to wildlife there is the stunning scenery to experience on one of our tours, including great views of three castles, all from the comfort of our boat.

From £35 per adult

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

April — October

Contact details

• +44 () 07485175844
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Key facilities

• Pets Welcome

Tour information

• Large Group (31+)
• Medium Group (17-30)
• Small Group (1-16)
• Outdoor Activities
• Photography

Tour prices

From £35 Per Adult £15 Per Child

Prices are subject to change depending on season

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see this. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Tour gallery

Tour company information

Oban Sea Tours provide daily tours from the seaside town of Oban. On our tour we hope to see a variety of wildlife including seals, porpoise, sea eagles, sea birds and occasionally otters and dolphins. In addition to wildlife there is the stunning scenery to experience on one of our tours, including great views of three castles, all from the comfort of our boat. Our 2 hour tour departs daily at 1000, 1230 and 1500.

Social Channels

Visit Oban Sea Tours

Opening times

The content of many of our web listings is provided by third party operators and not VisitScotland. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for (1) any error or misrepresentation contained in third party listings, and (2) the contents of any external links within web listings ((1) and (2) together hereinafter referred to as the "Content"). VisitScotland excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the Content. The Content is provided for your information only and is not endorsed by VisitScotland.

Allan's Boat Trips

Join local skipper Allan on a short one hour cruise across Oban bay onboard M.V Purple Heather, various sea birds and other wildlife may be seen as you pass the historic castle of Dunollie and Hutchinson’s Monument on the Island of Kerrera! As we journey into the Firth of Lorne, seals may be seen basking as you enjoy views of Mull and Lismore from a distance.

Sailings at 10.00 [not in October], 11.00, 12.30, 2.00 and 3.00. Buy tickets here but we always keep ‘walk-in’ spaces on the day! We’ll be running our trips from early April 2024.

You can contact us by email [email protected] or phone us on 07732 554746.

Our tour...

Join us as we journey across Oban bay, magnificent views all around as we pass the island of Kerrera, the salmon fish farm and head out to the local seal colony where seals may be seen basking in their natural surroundings. Enjoy views of Lismore and Mull from a distance whilst we provide commentary on the history of the surrounding castles and monuments as we go. The paps of Glencoe may also be seen on a clear day - and be sure to keep an eye out for the frequently spotted White Tailed Sea Eagles!

Private Charters

The M.V Purple Heather is available for private charters! We are available for private charters to cater to your needs To Enquire please phone Allan on 07732 554746 or Email us at [email protected]

Where to find us...

We're located right next to the train station in Oban, You can find us on the Railway pier right in the heart of Oban!

Contact Oban Boat: 07732 554746 | [email protected] | Privacy Policy

Item added to your cart

0 items in the cart ( £ 0.00 )

• Book a trip

Your browser does not support the HTML5 video element.

All Oban based trips must be booked direct with Turus Mara.

• From £40.00‐£80.00

Trip Details

Passengers from Oban join the 09:55 Calmac ferry to Craignure, where our minibus awaits to transport you to Ulva Ferry to join the Turus Mara tour.

(NOTE: you pay for and pick up your Calmac tickets on the day of travel)

***Exact times and itinerary may be subject to change***

Transport is provided from the Ferry Terminal at Craignure, through the Loch Na Keal designated National Scenic Area (NSA) to join our trips from Ulva Ferry. Keep an eye out for otters in the loch and both Golden and Sea Eagles as you skirt the loch across from Mull’s largest mountain and only Munro, Ben More.

The allure and fascination of uninhabited isles, the mystique of ancient forts, ruins of a 7 centuries old chapel (the Iona connection), and a conglomeration of thousands of seabirds including puffins so tame you’ll go cross eyed, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, fulmars, shags, skuas – the list goes on – to satisfy even the most obsessive bird enthusiast, – and as we cruise through the many tiny islets and rocks which comprise the Treshnish Isles, you will be scrutinised closely by Common and Atlantic Grey Seals. On our daily visit to these incomparable islands, we spend time ashore on Lunga, the main bird sanctuary.

On most days from late April to the first week in August – (the main breeding period), you will have 2 hours in which to study, photograph, commune and be generally entertained by the antics of our unique feathered wildlife.

De-stress in the Treshnish Isles with some puffin Therapy and commune with the many other birds, common and grey seals. 2hrs ashore.

Staffa – visit Fingal’s Cave and follow in many famous footsteps. Imagine you can hear the first few bars of Mendelssohn’s Overture in the eternal surge of the sea. 1hr ashore.

What have our customers said

Discover our range of trips, treshnish isles and staffa wildlife tour from mull (restarts april 2024), staffa tour from mull, big bird trip from mull, staffa tour from oban, iona and staffa tour from mull, staffa & treshnish isles wildlife tour from oban (from 1st aug 2024), book a trip with us.

• Experience Snorkelling
• Night Snorkelling
• Seal & Lagoon Tour
• Puffin & Seabird Tour
• 7 Day Basking Shark & Wildlife
• 4 Day Basking Shark & Wildlife
• 3 Day Basking Shark & Wildlife
• Spring Island Adventure Tour
• St Kilda and Outer Hebrides Expedition
• Scuba Dive Oban & the Hebrides
• Autumn Island Adventure Tour
• Diving & Swimming Iceland
• Orca and Whale Safari Norway
• Watersports
• Learn To Snorkel
• Stand Up Paddle-boarding
• Private Tours
• Media & Commercial Charters
• Whale & Dolphin Tour
• 1 Day Basking Shark & Wildlife
• Swim Fingal’s Cave Tour
• About Basking Sharks
• Basking Shark Science
• Report a Basking Shark Sightings
• World Basking Shark Day
• Shark-Cast Podcast
• Code of Conduct
• Meet the Team
• Publications
• Hebrides Wildlife Guide
• Underwater Wildlife Guide

Puffin & Seabird Tour

Explore your adventure

Tour overview.

Visit the spectacular cliffs of the Treshnish Isles, a Special Area of Conservation. Lunga becomes the summer home to thousands of seabirds. With the charismatic puffin taking up residence across the length of the island, you will undoubtedly enjoy seeing these birds go about their daily lives just metres away from you! Along with the puffins, there are also nesting guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, kittiwakes and shags. This island is a dream for any wildlife photographer, naturalist, or those who want to spend their afternoon being charmed by the island residents.

• 1 day boat tour travelling through the stunning scenery of the Sound of Mull.
• Visit the Isle of Lunga, the largest seabird colony in the Treshnish Isles.
• Meet the charismatic puffins and their relatives.
• Ample time to photograph and explore the island.
• Opportunity to see whales, dolphins, and seals along the way.
• Visit responsibly guided by a marine biologist.

This 5 day itinerary is based from the beautiful coastal town of Oban. The boat departs from Oban town centre boat pontoons within easy reach of all Oban based accommodationThose staying on the Isle of Mull have the option to join the trip in Tobermory .

For more information on travel and staying in Oban please see our FAQs .

On the Tour

Once you arrive at the marina a member of our friendly crew will meet you, and show you to the facilities and boat. We will then start our journey by passing many iconic landmarks such as Lismore Lighthouse and Duart Castle as we make our way into the Sound of Mull.

You will be surrounded by the stunning scenery of Mull on one side and the Morvern and Ardnamurchan Peninsula on the other. Our local guides will tell you more about this special area and which wildlife to look out for.

The search for wildlife begins as soon as we leave the marina, the rich waters in the spring and summer bring plentiful wildlife to the Inner Hebrides and West Coast of Scotland. During the trip, we will keep an eye out for porpoises, eagles, seals, minke whales, dolphins and basking sharks in addition to the abundant bird life.

To learn more about which species can be seen in the area visit our Hebrides Wildlife Guide .

On the Island

At the Treshnish Isles, you can watch the puffins flying to and from the cliffs as we prepare the dinghy to take you to shore. Lunga is an uninhabited island with no pier or landing facilities, a short walk up a rocky shore is required to reach the bird colony.

Once you have reached the cliff top, prepare to be amazed by the amount of wildlife and diverse flora around you – either join our guide on a guided walk to the incredible guillemot colony or relax and picnic with the puffins. Your guide will brief you on all aspects of safety, wildlife and code of conduct around nesting seabirds.

You will have approximately 2.5 hours to enjoy the island.

Who is the tour for?

This tour is perfect for anybody who wants to escape into nature for the day. Visiting the uninhabited islands of the Treshnish is a special experience to be enjoyed by wildlife photographers, families and those looking for an immersive experience.

8 is the minimum age for this trip.

With the remote location we operate in there are some physical challenges such as boarding the dinghy and landing on islands without facilities, please see here for more information.

Tour expectations

The natural world is very unpredictable, not a zoo or an aquarium, therefore sightings are never guaranteed. We can however promise that you are visiting a wildlife hotspot with a highly experienced and passionate team. Our boats are comfortable cabin RIBs built for the wild Atlantic conditions which are closely monitored by our experienced skippers. We will do our very best to give you a great experience!

Ready to join us on an adventure?

Tour prices.

Adult Per person

Student/Children

Family - 4 adults + 2 kids/students

Private Charter rates

from £1250 (Up to 12 guests)

Full payment is required at the time of booking.

Group tours have specific payment terms & conditions. Please email for more information.

What’s Included?

• 1 day boat tour
• Land at the Treshnish Isles
• Responsibly guided by a marine biologist
• Use of binoculars, books and information guides.

Additional Considerations

• Accommodation
• Travel to the meeting point
• Food and Drink

Cancellations

Please see our cancellation policy and terms and conditions here .

Please note this tour needs a minimum of 8 passengers to run.

Our 1 day puffin tour runs from April to July, the only time puffins are on land. We have 12 spaces on board, providing a personal low-impact way to enjoy the wildlife of the Treshnish Isles.

If you would like to combine your visit to the puffins with our other activities check out our multi-day trips

Ready to Book?

After booking your preferred date you will receive a confirmation email with a linked information document.

Please note this tour needs a minimum of 8 passengers to run, we will be in touch during your tour lead-up regarding capacity and sea conditions. We will do our best to get you offshore, allowing some flexibility in your schedule gives you extra opportunity to visit us.

Basking Shark

Basking sharks & marine wildlife migrate to our shores during spring for feeding & breeding. The Atlantic warms up, bringing an explosion of life which we can explore beneath the waves. Take a peek at what you can do with us!

• 07732912370
• 07831885985

Wildlife Tour

Tour details.

• £99 per adult
• Departs: Oban

From Oban you will board the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to Craignure on Mull.  From Craignure you will travel to Fionnphort on our local West Coast Motors bus service.  At Fionnphort Staffa Tours will take you on your cruise of the beautiful isles of Staffa, Lunga and Iona.  Over two hours will be spent on Lunga where you can visit the puffin colony, then time on Staffa and two hours on Iona to explore and seek out the rare corncrake.

Tour is available from Tuesday 9th April 2024 until 30th April 2024 on Tuesday Thursday & Saturday only. From 4th May 2024 to 10th August 2024 Tuesday to Saturday. Tour departs at 07.25 returns at 20.15. 

If you need any further information please contact us.  Sailings and landings subject to favourable sea and weather conditions. Lunches, snacks and refreshments are readily available on Iona.

A Privacy Reminder

In accordance with the current data protection laws, please take a minute to review the term & conditions for using our services. Our terms describe how we use data and the options available to you.