Seal & Lagoon Tour

Itinerary

This one 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 accommodation. Those 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 bring plentiful wildlife to the Inner Hebrides and the West Coast of Scotland. During the trip, we will keep an eye out for dolphins, eagles, seals, minke whales, porpoises in addition to abundant bird life.

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

At the Lagoon

At the lagoon, your guide will brief you on all aspects of safety, wildlife and code of conduct around marine life. Then it’s time to get into your pre-booked activity equipment with some help from our guides.

This is the perfect place for beginners to test the waters, and those with more experience to take advantage of the abundant life and crystal-clear visibility. Scotland boasts one-third of the world’s grey seal population, and swimming with these curious animals is a moment you will remember. The lagoon is on our favourite places to snorkel due to the wealth of marine life. Read our underwater wildlife guide here on some of the species you can look for.

Those who would prefer to stay on board can enjoy the tranquil location and stunning white sand beaches of the Hebrides

You will have approximately 3 hours to enjoy the lagoon.

Activity Options

The lagoon is the perfect spot to enjoy a range of activities – when booking please choose which activity you would like so we can plan your day.

• Snorkelling
• Wild Swimming
• Kayaking*
• Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)*
• Wildlife Watching**

Not sure which activity is for you? Check out our activity page for more information.

*Kayaking and SUPing require specific surface conditions, if this is not possible you can either snorkel, swim or wildlife watch.

**People can elect to be a boat based passenger only and whilst the others are doing the activities they can relax on the boat and watch the seals/wilfdife. We can land people ashore at the beach, however this is during certain conditions only.

Who is the tour for?

Calm conditions and abundant marine life make this the perfect location for beginners. Experienced guests will be equally blown away by the wildlife and scenery.

Kids really enjoy this trip with lots to see and discover to keep them interested above and below the waves. A perfect family day out.

8 is the minimum age for this trip due to the smallest size of wetsuit. Contact us to discuss younger children during private tours.

To join our in-water activities you must be comfortably able to swim a minimum of 100m unaided in open water.

With the remote location we operate in there are some physical challenges such as boarding the boat by ladder 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!

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

What’s Included?

• 1 day boat tour
• Visit the seal colony
• Responsibly guided by a marine biologist
• In-water activity of your choice
• Hot drink
• Use of binoculars, books and information guides.

Additional Considerations

• Accommodation
• Equipment Hire
• 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.

Bookings

Our 1 Day Seal & Hebrides tour runs from April to July, before taking a break for the shark season and resuming in September to October. We have 10 spaces on board, providing a personal low impact way to explore the underwater world of the Hebrides.

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

Hire equipment

If you are participating in our activities please check our hire equipment information. You will need to input your requirements and sizes at the time of booking – find our wetsuit size charts here.

If you intend to bring your own gear make sure you’ve read the minimum standard of kit needed. Here’s an advice document on what is best.

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.