Dive into an unforgettable 7-day adventure, exploring the vibrant marine life of the Inner Hebrides during the peak basking shark season. Based on the stunning Isle of Coll, this tour is perfect for those who want to experience the thrill of snorkelling with basking sharks, visiting the legendary Fingal’s Cave, and exploring the remote beauty of the Hebrides. Our friendly and knowledgeable guides ensure a safe, educational, and exhilarating experience.
Spend seven days at sea, navigating the wild Atlantic waters and searching for basking sharks and other marine wildlife. Each day offers a new adventure, from snorkelling in temperate kelp forests to visiting resident seal colonies. Highlights include visiting the legendary Fingal’s Cave, landing on the Treshnish Isles to meet charismatic puffins (in July trips), and enjoying white shell sand lagoons. The itinerary is flexible to adapt to sea conditions, ensuring the best possible experience.
Our 7-day shark weeks run from mid-July for five weeks only, with only 10 spaces per boat. These tours sell out annually.
If you are participating in our snorkelling activities, you will need to hire our equipment or you are more than welcome to bring your own.
Upon arrival on the Isle of Coll, our friendly crew will meet you and take you to the boat for your first day at sea. Each day focuses on searching for wildlife and snorkelling. The deep waters around the island create excellent feeding opportunities for sharks, whales, and dolphins. Photographers and naturalists will enjoy the abundant bird life and stunning scenery.
The Sea of the Hebrides is the world’s only Marine Protected Area (MPA) for basking sharks. Swimming alongside these gentle giants is an unforgettable experience. Our dedicated team follows a strict Code of Conduct to ensure the welfare and protection of these endangered animals, providing both shark and customer safety.
Scotland boasts one-third of the world’s grey seal population. Swimming with these curious animals is a memorable experience. We have multiple sites around the island with resident seal colonies, including common seals that can often be spotted from the harbour.
A favourite of many visitors, the white shell sand lagoon offers fantastic visibility and sheltered conditions. The currents create lush kelp forests and algae gardens, making it a haven for marine life and seals.
The Hebrides are a global hotspot for marine wildlife, with fast access to productive feeding grounds. We have both resident and seasonal marine mammals, and large seabird colonies offer the chance of great encounters.
Our favourite characters visit the islands from spring to the end of July. Rest your sea legs on the beautiful Isle of Lunga, an idyllic lunch spot to enjoy a picnic with the puffins. This island is a bird watcher’s paradise with breeding colonies of puffins, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, kittiwakes, and shags.
We offer a snorkel excursion every day, whether at the lagoon, seal colonies, tidal channel drifts, or Fingal’s Cave. Atlantic kelp forests are more productive than coral reefs, with a vast amount of marine life to discover.
Visit the legendary Fingal’s Cave on the Isle of Staffa. The basalt columns formed from volcanic activity create an adventure playground for snorkellers, swimmers, and wildlife watchers. Snorkelling in this natural wonder should be on everyone’s bucket list!
In case of rough sea conditions, we arrange land activities, such as shore snorkelling and exploring the island’s wildlife, landscapes, and history. Discover habitats like sand dunes and machair, historic castles, standing stones, and local wildlife such as eagles, hen harriers, otters, hares, and corncrakes.
In the evenings, enjoy the tranquil life on Coll with remote beaches, otter spotting, and stunning sunsets. The island is home to an award-winning restaurant and accommodation providers. For those who prefer wild camping, there are plenty of peaceful spots to choose from.
Nature is unpredictable, and sightings are never guaranteed. However, you will be visiting a wildlife hotspot with a highly experienced and passionate team. Our comfortable cabin RIBs are built for wild Atlantic conditions and are closely monitored by experienced skippers to ensure your safety and enjoyment.
Your journey begins in the coastal town of Oban, where you’ll take a Calmac ferry to the Isle of Coll. This remote island in the Inner Hebrides provides a perfect base for our marine adventures. We recommend arriving in Oban the day before your tour due to early ferry times.
This 7-day itinerary is based on the Isle of Coll, accessible by Calmac ferry from Oban. We recommend arriving in Oban the day before your tour due to early ferry times. The journey includes passing iconic landmarks such as Lismore Lighthouse and Duart Castle.
Accommodation on the Isle of Coll books up quickly. We recommend booking your room at the time of booking to ensure availability. Options include Tigh Na Mara B&B, Coll Hotel, and Coll Bunkhouse. There are also pitches for campervans or camping.
After booking, you will receive a confirmation email with a linked information document. Our team will also help you book accommodation on Coll and send a brochure with all the options.
We are dedicated to providing exceptional marine experiences. Our expert team of marine biologists and local guides ensures a safe, educational, and enjoyable adventure. We offer unique locations, including the world’s only Marine Protected Area (MPA) for basking sharks. Committed to responsible tourism, we follow a strict code of conduct to minimise our environmental impact. Our customisable activities, such as snorkelling, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and wildlife watching, allow you to tailor your experience. Additionally, our comfortable cabin RIBs, designed for the wild Atlantic conditions, are monitored by experienced skippers to ensure your comfort and safety.
Book your 7-Day Basking Shark Snorkelling Trip today for an extraordinary marine adventure!
About the centre
Isle of Coll
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