2nd-8th May 6-Night Puffin spotting Sailing Trip in Mull, Iona, Staffa

Sail through Scotland’s west coast and explore the islands of Mull, Iona, and Staffa on this fully catered sailing adventure. With no experience required, you’ll travel on a comfortable yacht, visiting remote anchorages, historic sites, and wildlife hotspots. Highlights include the colourful harbour of Tobermory, the famous Fingal’s Cave, and a chance to see puffins up close on Staffa.

Key Details

Duration: Multi-day trip
Location: Mull, Iona, Staffa (departing from Oban)
Group Size: Up to 6 people
Accommodation: Onboard a fully equipped sailing yacht
Experience Required: None

Itinerary

The trip starts in Oban, a well-connected harbour town known as the Gateway to the Isles. After boarding in the afternoon and getting settled, the yacht heads towards Mull. The first stop is Loch Spelve, a quiet anchorage with a narrow entrance, where you may spot feral goats along the shoreline. Fresh mussels can be collected from the local facility for dinner, offering a taste of the area’s produce.

The next morning, the journey continues up the Sound of Mull, passing castles and waterfalls before reaching Tobermory. This well-known harbour town, with its brightly coloured waterfront, has a distillery, local shops, and pubs to explore. From there, the route may include a stop at Coll, an island with a rugged landscape, or Calgary Bay, a sandy beach on Mull’s northwest coast.

Next, the yacht sails towards Gometra or Ulva, two small islands with a mix of history and unspoiled scenery. These islands have connections to figures such as David Livingstone and Sir Walter Scott. Moving west, you’ll reach Staffa, home to Fingal’s Cave. A dinghy ride inside the cave provides a close-up view of its basalt rock formations, and the island is also a great place to see puffins during the breeding season.

Back on Mull, there’s time to visit Erraid’s sandy beaches before anchoring overnight in Tinkers Hole, a well-sheltered spot only accessible by sea. The final stop is Kerrera, a small island near Oban with quiet coves, a seal colony, and the ruins of Gylen Castle. The yacht then returns to Oban in time for onward travel. The exact itinerary will depend on the weather and sea conditions.

Location

This sailing adventure takes you through the Inner Hebrides, a group of islands off Scotland’s west coast known for their varied landscapes and rich history. Mull, the largest island on the route, is home to rugged coastlines, rolling hills, and a diverse range of wildlife. Its capital, Tobermory, is a highlight, with colourful buildings lining the waterfront and a welcoming atmosphere. Nearby, Calgary Bay offers a long stretch of white sand, while the smaller islands of Gometra and Ulva provide a more remote and peaceful experience.

Staffa is a unique stop, famous for its hexagonal basalt columns and the impressive Fingal’s Cave. A visit here includes a chance to see puffins nesting along the cliffs, making it a favourite for wildlife enthusiasts. Other locations such as Erraid and Kerrera add to the variety of the trip, with hidden coves, seal colonies, and historic ruins providing plenty to explore. Along the way, there are opportunities to see dolphins, seabirds, and other marine life.

Accommodation

Accommodation is onboard a fully equipped sailing yacht, offering a comfortable and relaxed setting for the journey. The boat provides everything needed for a multi-day trip, including bedding, towels, and all meals. Life onboard is informal and friendly, with a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to settle in. The small group size ensures plenty of space, and the crew is always on hand to help with anything needed.

Meals are freshly prepared using locally sourced ingredients where possible, providing a taste of the region’s produce. Whether enjoying dinner at anchor or breakfast while sailing, the experience of eating onboard adds to the adventure. Evenings can be spent chatting with fellow travellers, watching the sunset, or simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings of a remote anchorage.

Prerequisites

No sailing experience is needed. The crew manages all aspects of navigation, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the journey.

A reasonable level of mobility is recommended, as moving around the boat and stepping into the dinghy requires some balance.

Why Choose Us

The crew has spent years living and working on Scotland’s west coast, building a strong connection to the land and sea. Their experience, combined with a genuine love for sailing and sharing these places with others, creates a welcoming and enjoyable trip. Locations are carefully chosen based on the weather and conditions, ensuring a varied and rewarding experience.

Sustainability is a key part of the approach, with an emphasis on using local suppliers, minimising environmental impact, and respecting the natural surroundings. With a small group size, the experience feels personal and friendly, making it easy to relax and take in everything the west coast has to offer. Many guests return year after year, drawn back by the combination of great sailing, good company, and a unique way to explore the islands.

All meals and snacks onboard

Accommodation on a fully equipped sailing yacht

Bedding, towels, and all necessary facilities

Qualified and experienced skipper/guide

Use of all onboard safety equipment

Harbour and marina fees

Alcoholic drinks (available via an honesty bar)

Travel to and from Oban

Personal travel insurance

Additional shore-based activities

No experience is needed. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have never stepped on a boat before, you’re more than welcome. The skipper is a fully qualified sailing instructor and enjoys teaching, so if you’d like to get involved, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn.

That said, if you’d rather just sit back and enjoy the scenery, you’re free to relax while the crew takes care of everything.

Yes! If you want to sharpen your skills, you’re welcome to get involved in everything from navigation and chart work to sail handling and boat handling.

The skipper is happy to provide informal coaching and guidance, and if you log your miles, they can sign off on them. While this isn’t a formal training course, it’s a great way to build confidence and pick up new skills in a relaxed environment.

Yes, and whenever possible, couples will be guaranteed their own cabin.

Just let us know after booking so we can arrange the best accommodation for you.

There is no upper age limit, but you should be comfortable moving around the boat and stepping into the dinghy. Agility is more important than strength.

Under-18s are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

Solo travellers have the option to share a cabin with another guest of the same sex, or, if you’d prefer your own space, you can reserve a private cabin by paying a single supplement.

If this is something you're interested in, just get in touch via the adventuro chat below to check availability.

The yacht takes a maximum of six guests, along with a skipper and one crew member.

This small group size ensures plenty of space and a more personal experience.

All meals are fully catered, so you don’t have to cook unless you want to. Some guests enjoy getting involved in meal preparation, but it’s completely optional.

However, there is a rota for washing up, and all guests are expected to take a turn—it’s part of the shared experience of life onboard.

It’s strongly recommended that you take out travel insurance that covers sailing. This ensures you’re covered for any unexpected events, including cancellations, illness, or trip disruptions.

A full kit list will be provided upon booking, but in general, you’ll need warm layers, a hat, and waterproof shoes with good grip. Waterproof jackets and trousers suitable for hiking are usually fine, but if you’d prefer full sailing waterproofs, we can provide these for hire—just let us know in advance so we can arrange the right size.

Hard suitcases aren’t suitable for storage onboard, so please pack in a soft, foldable bag. All safety equipment, including lifejackets, is provided.

Some people may feel seasick, especially on the first day or in rough weather. If you start to feel unwell, let the crew know so they can help. Steering the boat often helps, as it keeps your eyes and inner ear in sync, much like how driving a car can prevent motion sickness.

Most people adjust within a few hours with fresh air, a hot drink, and a rest. If you’re prone to seasickness, consider bringing medication or natural remedies like ginger biscuits.

Living and working on the west coast of Scotland, we are proud of our heritage, culture and landscape. Building a home and raising a family on the shores of a sea loch we immerse ourselves in the joys and challenges of working in a highland coastal area. The sea has always been a part of us, we took our sons aboard our first modest boat, a wooden clinker built daysailer, slowly building up experience, skills and qualifications to finally realising a dream and setting sail from our home to spend a year living aboard Stravaigin, exploring the Mediterranean as far as Malta, Azores and North Africa. Our way of living, embracing our community, using locally produced, sustainable foods and respecting our environment as well as our destinations follows us into our business and is at the fore of what we do and offer. Sharing our experiences, landscape, floating home, good food and knowledge is a privilege and something we relish. We like to think our trips are experiences with friends we just have not meet yet. We meet as strangers and leave as friends.