Our Arran and Ailsa Craig Wildlife Explorer cruise explores a rich habitat, which is home to a large variety of wildlife, including many rarities. A major highlight of the cruise is the island of Ailsa Craig, a wildlife hotspot in south Argyll, with its immense colony of gannets, and, increasingly, puffins. In season, there are basking sharks and minke whales. The Isle of Arran is well-placed for close sightings of red deer and golden eagles. Other islands and sea lochs offer a range of sightings including sea ducks, porpoises and dolphins on the water, and red squirrels and many woodland birds on land.
Arran and Ailsa Craig Wildlife Explorer
Night Cruise
Ensuite Cabin
Private Charter
Cruise Summary
Loch Long and Loch Goil
Porpoises, common seals and large flocks of eider ducks are frequently seen
Millport
On the Isle of Cumbrae, a visit to the grey seal colony allows a close encounter of the furry kind
The Burnt Isles
In the Kyles of Bute, the opportunity to get a front-row seat to observe nesting gulls, eider ducks and shell ducks and the common seal colony
Caladh Harbour
A beautiful shore walk where there is a good chance of spotting red squirrels, roe deer and a variety of woodland songbirds, including wood warblers and bullfinches
Castleton, Loch Fyne
See wild goats, nesting geese, gulls and cormorants
Lochranza, Isle of Arran
Visit the common seal colony, spot golden eagles and red deer
Alisa Craig
This seabird mecca is home to 40,000 pairs of nesting gannets, thousands of guillemots and razorbills and hundreds of puffins, fulmars and kittiwake. Also seen on the rock are eider and mallard ducks, heron, and black-backed and common gulls. There is a good chance of spotting basking sharks and minke whales in season
Cruise Itinerary
Day 1
Join Splendour at 1600 in the Holy Loch Marina. Cruise South from the Holy Loch to the scenic Kyles of Bute, watching out for porpoises and seabirds from Splendour’s spacious decks. Spot the common seals and nesting ducks and gulls as we squeeze through the tight channel at the Burnt Isles. Anchor overnight in beautiful Loch Riddon.
Day 2
After breakfast go ashore by tender to enjoy a walk from upper Caladh through oak and birch woods to the village of Tighnabruaich. There is a good chance of spotting roe deer, red squirrels and a variety of woodland songbirds, including wood warblers and bullfinches. From Tighnabruaich we cruise south past Inchmarnock, which was used by the 9th Scottish Commando and the French-Canadians as a training ground for D-Day during WW2. We then head for Loch Fyne and a visit to the common seal colony at Black Harbour en route to our overnight anchorage at Castleton, where wild goats and a variety of nesting seabirds can be viewed on the islands.
Day 3
We start with a short cruise to the Otter Spit, a huge bank of glacial moraine which extends out into Loch Fyne. Tidal conditions allowing you will be tendered ashore for a walk along the spit. This is an unusual beach walk and many types of wading birds, otters and porpoises may be encountered. After lunch, we cruise Loch Fyne past the seabird nesting islands and go ashore to enjoy a walk in the wonderful woodlands of Crarae Gardens, where many woodland songbirds can be seen and heard.
Day 4
Arran is now in our sights as we cruise down Loch Fyne to the village of Lochranza in its awe-inspiring loch and mountain location. Here you can visit the Arran Distillery or simply walk the trails looking out for wild red deer and the resident golden eagles. On return to the boat we weigh anchor and cruise down Arran’s east coast, passing impressive Glen Sanox en route for Lamlash, which is sheltered by Holy Isle. This is a wonderful natural harbour and is our overnight anchorage. This leg of our journey is excellent for spotting basking sharks in season.
Day 5
Ailsa Craig is a volcanic plug 18 miles south of Holy Isle and is the object of our desires for today. 40,000 pairs of gannets, thousands of guillemots and razorbills, hundreds of Kittiwakes, fulmars, puffins, shags, cormorants and the odd peregrine falcon and golden eagle call this rock home. After an unforgettable circumnavigation of this outpost, we will anchor for lunch and go ashore to do a ‘time team’ on the old curling stone workings and enjoy an invigorating walk to the summit, which at over 1100 feet gives panoramic views from Argyll through Ayrshire to the Antrim hills. Splendour then retraces her steps for an overnight stay at Lamlash.
Day 6
North to the Island of Great Cumbrae where porpoises fish in the ‘tan’, the stretch of water between Great and Little Cumbrae. Go ashore to Millport by tender after elevenses for a close encounter with the resident grey seals on the way. Cycle the level 10 mile circuit of the island where an abundance of seabirds, porpoises and the odd basking shark can be seen. After guests have enjoyed a well-deserved lunch, Splendour will continue her journey north up Loch Long and Loch Goil to her overnight anchorage off Carrick Castle.
Day 7
Homeward bound for the Holy Loch Marina with the last chance to see seals, porpoises, eider ducks, gannets etc. At 1100, all too soon, it’s time for fond farewells and ‘haste ye backs’.
Cruise Map
Cruise Dates | Nights | Spaces | Price p/p | Book |
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07 Sep 2024 - 13 Sep 2024 | 6 | 2 | £2470 | Book Online |
21 Sep 2024 - 27 Sep 2024 | 6 | 1 | £2470 | Book Online |
- Indicates single cabin available. | ||||
Cruise Dates | Nights | Spaces | Price p/p | Book |
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12 Apr 2025 - 18 Apr 2025 | 6 | 7 | £2335 | Book Online |
10 May 2025 - 16 May 2025 | 6 | 4 | £2593 | Book Online |
06 Sep 2025 - 12 Sep 2025 | 6 | 7 | £2470 | Book Online |
04 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025 | 6 | 8 | £2335 | Book Online |
- Indicates single cabin available. | ||||
Cruise Dates | Nights | Spaces | Price p/p | Book |
---|---|---|---|---|
25 Apr 2026 - 01 May 2026 | 6 | 8 | £2390 | Book Online |
09 May 2026 - 15 May 2026 | 6 | 8 | £2650 | Book Online |
12 Sep 2026 - 18 Sep 2026 | 6 | 8 | £2520 | Book Online |
- Indicates single cabin available. | ||||
“Thank you for a brilliant holiday. I loved every bit about it. Food was fantastic. I’ll be back.” Brigitte Jones
Kyles and the Isles | April 2023
“Everything we’d hoped for and more. We so enjoyed the walks, food, company, scenery and laughter.” Denise and Allan
Inlets and Islands of Wild Argyll | May 2022
“What a wonderful adventure. Thank you Ted and Thomas.” Michael and Ginger Barr
Private Charter | May 2023
“We will always hold our cruise on the Splendour dear in our hearts.”
Arran and Ailsa Craig Wildlife Explorer | May 2023
“One of my very favourite adventures.” Ron Domin
Private charter | May 2023