Basking Shark Scotland runs boat tours from April to October, in the crystal blue waters of the Inner Hebrides. Spend one, two, three or four days, or a whole week, exploring a recognised basking shark hotspot, taking in a huge variety of sea life and wildlife, geological wonders and more.
Choose the thrill of swimming with the sharks, or watching them from the boat. With a high powered, fast vessel that can cover a lot of ocean miles, we offer the best chances of seeing these gentle giants in the wild.
Spring
Early season – basking sharks begin to arrive from April onwards, when we run our Seal and Lagoon tour, Puffin & Fingal's Cave & Scuba Diving
Seals and Lagoon Tours
Summer
High season – July to September is the peak Hebrides basking shark season.
Basking shark tours
Autumn
Late season – September & October sees the start of the southerly migration, when we run research trips. Along with Seal & Lagoon tours & Scuba Diving.
Research Trips
Winter
During winter we run our overseas tours including Swimming with Orcas in Norway. Along with Scuba Diving based in Oban.
Overseas toursThe ultimate wildlife encounter
Basking Shark Scotland is a pioneer in Scottish basking shark tours. Although there are other boat-based wildlife tours around, this is the only dedicated trip with the main purpose of seeking out and interacting with basking sharks.
See more in our galleryThese shark tours are about experiencing free wildlife in their own environment, so it’s not a manufactured experience like visiting an aquarium. Because of this, we can’t guarantee sightings of basking sharks; but because our trips cover more ground than any other operator, on a speedy, highly seaworthy vessel, our trips give you a great chance of seeing them.
The longer tours feature basking shark sightings along with diving, wild swimming, snorkelling, whales, dolphins, seals, golden eagles, puffins and many other seabirds in their natural habitats. Combine this with the stunning coastal scenery of Argyll, the volcanic wonders of Fingal’s Cave, a fascinating historical landscape dotted with castles, abbeys and ruins – and you’ve got a feast for the eyes and emotions!
Our basking shark tours are popular, especially during high season, so you need to book early to avoid disappointment; add yourself to our email list for the latest announcements.