St Kilda: an Outer Hebridean Cruise

12 days
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5/5 Excellent
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Small Ship Cruise
 This wonderful, 12 day, Outer Hebridean cruise will, if the weather is kind, give us time to explore fabulous St Kilda; the remote Monach Isles; many dramatic islands of the Outer Hebrides; and the spectacular Small Isles. Our starting point is Oban, the gateway to the isles. Our sea adventure vessels will anchor in scenic, lonely islands, in tranquil bays...
$3,078
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Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Visit Hirta - a UNESCO world heritage site
    • See the sea cliffs of the St Kilda islands
    • Explore the islands of the Outer Hebrides and the Small Islands

What's this trip about?

     This wonderful, 12 day, Outer Hebridean cruise will, if the weather is kind, give us time to explore fabulous St Kilda; the remote Monach Isles; many dramatic islands of the Outer Hebrides; and the spectacular Small Isles. Our starting point is Oban, the gateway to the isles. Our sea adventure vessels will anchor in scenic, lonely islands, in tranquil bays and, throughout the trip, we see incredible wildlife - soaring sea and golden eagles, many species of sea birds, basking sharks, orca and minke whales, porpoises, dolphins and seals. Aboard our three small ships you can do as little or as much as you want. Sit back and enjoy the trip as you travel through the Sounds; pass the islands and sea lochs; view the spectacular mountains and fast running tides that make extraordinary spiral patterns and glassy runs in the sea; marvel at the lofty headland lighthouses and castles; and, if you want, become involved in working the wee cruise ships. Our ultimate destination is Village Bay, Hirta, on the archipelago of St Kilda  - a UNESCO world heritage site. Hirta is the largest of the four islands in the St Kilda group and was inhabited for some 2000 years before the villagers were evacuated in 1930, never to return.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 6 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityTobermory
End CityTobermory

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Family Friendly
  • 50 Plus
  • Birding
  • Sailing
  • National Parks
  • Small Ship Cruise
  • Singles Travel
  • Relaxing Retreats
  • Transformative

Destinations

Activities

  • Bird Watching
  • Culture
  • Dolphin Swim
  • History
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Kid-friendly Activities
  • Nature
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Sailing
  • Swimming
  • Whale Watching
  • Wildlife Viewing

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 6

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Some of the places we may visit are:

Oban
: Your departure point will be Oban (Dunstaffnage Marina), the gateway to the Hebridean isles. After a short introduction to life on board our small ship we will set sail to our first destination.  Afternoon tea (clotted cream and scones) will be served en-route.

Tobermory
: One of the most picturesque towns in the Western Isles. If you wish, we can make time to visit the local distillery or visit eagles (Mull is the best place in the UK to see eagles).

Rum, the Small Isles
: We will pass close to the Small Isles of Muck and Eigg to arrive at Rum the largest of the Small Isles, with an ancient volcano, where we can spend a night at Loch Scresort. Rum Island is a National Nature Reserve and famous for its herds of red deer and sheer sea cliffs which are home to nesting sea eagles. A visit to the Kinloch castle near the anchorage is definitely worthwhile.

Canna, the Small Isles
: We can set sail for the scenic anchorage at Canna and its neighbouring Sanday. There are seabirds galore on the island's high sea cliffs - puffins, shags, razorbills, black guillemots, Manx shearwaters - and breeding there, in the high crags, are sea eagles. There are ...
Castlebay, Barra
: We can anchor at the village of Castlebay on the island of Barra of the Outer Hebrides. Castlebay was where much of the film Whisky Galore was made about the WW II stranding of the S.S. Politician in Eriskay Sound with her cargo of 260,00 whisky bottles! Castlebay was ...
Berneray
: We up anchor and head for the island of Berneray, sailing south from Barra. On our way we pass the spectacular uninhabited islands of Sandray, Pabbay and Mingulay. We clearly see the derelict crofts and abandoned house on Mingulay as we pass its Village Bay. If there i...
Vatersay
: Anchorage off the beautiful sweeping beach and sand dunes of Vatersay.

Hirta, St Kilda
: If the weather is kindly we up-anchor early and head out through the Sound of Pabbay for Hirta, St Kilda. Two nights at anchor on Hirta and a day ashore.

Monach Island:
On the return from Hirta we can spend a day anchored off the Monach Island.

Lochboisdale, South Uist
: If the Atlantic is being too unfriendly for St Kilda, from Barra we will head north, up the island chain, pass the Sound of Barra and the islands of Hellisay and Gighay, to our next quiet anchorage in Lochboisdale on South Uist. We can explore the incredible endless beaches and flower-rich Machair of the islands of South Uist, Benbecula and North Uist.

Loch Skipport, South Uist:
We will cruise along mountainous, eastern island shores towards the remote and beautiful anchorage Loch Skipport - one of the classic Hebridean anchorages, dominated by wild Hecla, South Uist's second highest mountain (606m).

Loch Drumbuie
: Just south of Oronsay island, another Inner Hebridean island, lies secluded Loch Drumbuie. A squeeze between high sided cliffs and we are in a perfectly sheltered anchorage. We can spend a tranquil night here.

Loch Spelve:
A narrow entrance leads us in to the tranquil waters of Loch Spelve with its surrounding ancient oak forest. The anchorage gives us a different perspective than our previous views of the wonderful mountains of Mull. There are resident otters along the loch's shoreline.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,189
Price per day$182
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with St Hilda Sea Adventures.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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St Hilda Sea Adventures Reviews & Ratings

5/5  Excellent
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Other St Hilda Sea Adventures Reviews

F

Francis

Jul 2020

St Hilda Sea Adventures Company Reviewsby St Hilda Sea Adventures

had a simply marvellous and memorable experience

I had a simply marvellous and memorable experience aboard St Hilda with the Mull Odyssey cruise. Christophe and Kerry were fantastic, helpful , lovely people. Ever...

J

John

Mar 2020

St Hilda Sea Adventures Company Reviewsby St Hilda Sea Adventures

We had a fantastic holiday

In June we sailed aboard St Hilda on their “Wildlife and Malt Whiskey Cruise”. The weather was very kind to us as we enjoyed the spectacular scenery of the Inner He...

P

Peter

Mar 2020

St Hilda Sea Adventures Company Reviewsby St Hilda Sea Adventures

some great sightings of cetaceans

We had the dream team in Charlie, Leo and Morag as our crew: such skilled navigation, anchorages you dream about, phenomenal food, and good humour throughout. Passen...

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Logistics

Accommodation

Ship & cabin information
St Hilda
St Hilda is one of the smallest of the “Tall Ships” and has competed in several Tall Ship races. There are two cabins, a roomy, double, en-suite in the aft cabin and in the fore cabin there are four, comfortable berths, with an adjacent toilet and shower . You admire the views from her open decks and eat in an airy, well-lit saloon and, what a pleasure it is, to wake up to the sound of the water lapping against the hull. A truly unforgettable Scotland holiday!
Cancellation policy

Must be notified to us in writing by the person who made the booking. If you cancel your holiday:

More than 56 days prior to the start of your holiday/cruise, you will only be charged your deposit.

Between 56 and 30 days, you will be charged 50% of the holiday/cruise cost.

Between 30 and 14 days, you will be charged 75% of the holiday/cruise cost.

Note: If less than 14 days before the start of your holiday/cruise or on or after the commencement of the cruise, you must pay the full holiday/cruise cost.

Note: We appreciate that wholly unforeseen events may result in cancellation. In view of the above and for your peace of mind we therefore strongly advise you to take out appropriate comprehensive Accident & Cancellation Insurance at the time of your booking.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
No unaccompanied children under the age of sixteen (16) can be carried. No children under the age of eight (8) will be carried unless by prior arrangement and as part of a whole-boat charter. All minors under 18 years of age, no matter what their age, are wholly the responsibility of their parents/guardians at all times. No animals will be carried unless with permission.
Additional Information
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Trip ID
sthild-HilKilSth

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