Hebridean Whale Cruises
Hebridean Whale Cruises
Hebridean Whale Cruises
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Gairloch, Scotland
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
274 reviews
Excellent
224
Very good
24
Average
6
Poor
7
Terrible
13
CAP2680
Richmond, UK18 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
Amazing trip with Hebridean Whale Cruises yesterday. All the family enjoyed it. Their guys worked so hard to find as many sightings of things during the time we had and went above and beyond in our opinion.
We had great sightings of minke whales and a beautiful pod of dolphins which swam right past the boat. We also enjoyed watching the gannets dive bombing for food, and saw porpoise and seals at a distance.
Recommend emailing in advance to get a booking, understandingly they are having to juggle high demand, covid issues and weather issues so don’t be surprised if you can’t get a space last minute.
I found everything from the booking, getting kitted out with their waterproof clothing and the actual boat trip to be extremely professional and efficient, with friendly staff who were proficient with the boat and safety, and also extremely informative about the sea life and area. Would highly recommend.
We had great sightings of minke whales and a beautiful pod of dolphins which swam right past the boat. We also enjoyed watching the gannets dive bombing for food, and saw porpoise and seals at a distance.
Recommend emailing in advance to get a booking, understandingly they are having to juggle high demand, covid issues and weather issues so don’t be surprised if you can’t get a space last minute.
I found everything from the booking, getting kitted out with their waterproof clothing and the actual boat trip to be extremely professional and efficient, with friendly staff who were proficient with the boat and safety, and also extremely informative about the sea life and area. Would highly recommend.
Written 21 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine M
Los Angeles, CA72 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
4 hours in an open rib, across the Minch, on a saddle seat is not for everyone, but if you are hardly and fit this is a must do trip.
We were led by an exceptional guide who navigated the waters masterfully avoiding bad weather and ‘finding’ harbour porpoise, and puffins and 7 sea eagles.
At £100 per person we thought is to be excellent value for money and would do it again. It was the highlight of our holiday. Proper outdoor dungarees and jacket are provided. Do bring your own gloves, hat, scarf and sunglasses even in the summer.Book well in advance to ensure a place, sailings are governed by the weather so try to be flexible when booking.
We were led by an exceptional guide who navigated the waters masterfully avoiding bad weather and ‘finding’ harbour porpoise, and puffins and 7 sea eagles.
At £100 per person we thought is to be excellent value for money and would do it again. It was the highlight of our holiday. Proper outdoor dungarees and jacket are provided. Do bring your own gloves, hat, scarf and sunglasses even in the summer.Book well in advance to ensure a place, sailings are governed by the weather so try to be flexible when booking.
Written 27 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AstonDB7V
Peterhead19 contributions
Jul 2022
A fantastic trip of a lifetime yesterday 21/7/22. We booked the 4 hour trip, as the RIB can travel much further than is possible in the 2.5 hour trip.
We were skippered by the very well named Steve Truluck and with the help of other eagle eyed spotters on the boat, we saw Porpoises, loads of Common Dolphins performing well, Minke Whales, a fantastic Fin Whale (first time in UK waters for us), then the icing on the cake was a pod of very laid back Orca including the massive bull known as Busta. What a beast!
We were fully briefed on safety and felt that we were in very capable hands, Steve and Rosie both were very professional and their enthusiasm was infectious, pointing out what we were seeing, where we were and where we were heading for next. They were both very friendly, chatty and inclusive.
I cannot praise Steve highly enough for the huge respect he showed the animals, they were never chased or harassed at any time and most importantly for us, they did not change their behaviour - except to come to the boat to check us out, before meandering off slowly to continue their day.
We were skippered by the very well named Steve Truluck and with the help of other eagle eyed spotters on the boat, we saw Porpoises, loads of Common Dolphins performing well, Minke Whales, a fantastic Fin Whale (first time in UK waters for us), then the icing on the cake was a pod of very laid back Orca including the massive bull known as Busta. What a beast!
We were fully briefed on safety and felt that we were in very capable hands, Steve and Rosie both were very professional and their enthusiasm was infectious, pointing out what we were seeing, where we were and where we were heading for next. They were both very friendly, chatty and inclusive.
I cannot praise Steve highly enough for the huge respect he showed the animals, they were never chased or harassed at any time and most importantly for us, they did not change their behaviour - except to come to the boat to check us out, before meandering off slowly to continue their day.
Written 22 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian L
Glasgow, UK21 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
This trip was booked 3 years prior to this review and was cancelled 3 times (only the night before the trip). For most it will be a far travel, costing money in petrol, hotels and food which will be wasted. They claim each time that wind conditions are not desirable (despite wind conditions being low). They deny it but unless the weather conditions are perfect or close to it they will not take you out. Their attitude to the cancellations are uninterested to say they least. Make nothing but excuses. Despite being cancelled on 3 times they make no attempt to make your next trip a priority, you to the back of their queue clearly showing that they only care about taking money rather then providing a service. If you go that far then my suggestion is just go an extra hour and go to Orkney where you can see Orca from the shores. DO NOT uses this company or you will be let down
Written 22 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChichesterShelley
Emsworth, UK4 contributions
Aug 2021
We had an amazing trip out with hebridean whale cruises and i would highly recommend it to anyone. Aside from the sheer fun of being on the rib, we saw lots of wildlife seals, minke whales, porpoises, dolphins, puffins, storm petrols amongst others. The real highlight was watching more than one minke whale lunge feeding. Steve, our captain, was very knowledgeable and great at drawing our attention to the wildlife that abounds gairloch. Thank you, it was a real experience.
You need to keep trying on line to get a booking, they can't be on the boat and a computer at the same time, but personally it wasn't difficult to do and well worth the effort.
You need to keep trying on line to get a booking, they can't be on the boat and a computer at the same time, but personally it wasn't difficult to do and well worth the effort.
Written 24 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip T
Crowthorne, UK3 contributions
Aug 2021
Initially we were disappointed because we had booked this trip, only to have it cancelled due to bad weather. Apparently August can be one of the wettest months of the year in Scotland, and that week, camping in the Highlands was a very wet and windy experience! After all, safety does come first.
Fortunately, the forecast showed a break in the weather and we were flexible enough to make the day and time they offered as an alternative.And
So we turned up and admitted reach to set out in Orca 1, worried that the weather, which was still not brilliant, would scupper our hopes. Or that being wild animals, they would not want to engage.
We were not disappointed with our experience with Hebridean Whale Cruises. We saw seals, dolphins, minkie whales, puffins and buzzards. Our guide and Slippers knew the locations where we would best find the wildlife we wanted to see, and to experience them in their natural habitat was wonderful.
Most of the fellow whale watchers had also had previous cruises cancelled due to the storms and they put this trip on for us. They even extended it so we could stay longer with a thrilling close up encounter with a pod of dolphins. Clearly, Steve, our guide, was just as thrilled with the experience and has a great concern for the continuing wildlife which lives around our shores.
I great experience. My wife and two boys loved it and would definitely recommend Hebridean Whale Cruises.
Fortunately, the forecast showed a break in the weather and we were flexible enough to make the day and time they offered as an alternative.And
So we turned up and admitted reach to set out in Orca 1, worried that the weather, which was still not brilliant, would scupper our hopes. Or that being wild animals, they would not want to engage.
We were not disappointed with our experience with Hebridean Whale Cruises. We saw seals, dolphins, minkie whales, puffins and buzzards. Our guide and Slippers knew the locations where we would best find the wildlife we wanted to see, and to experience them in their natural habitat was wonderful.
Most of the fellow whale watchers had also had previous cruises cancelled due to the storms and they put this trip on for us. They even extended it so we could stay longer with a thrilling close up encounter with a pod of dolphins. Clearly, Steve, our guide, was just as thrilled with the experience and has a great concern for the continuing wildlife which lives around our shores.
I great experience. My wife and two boys loved it and would definitely recommend Hebridean Whale Cruises.
Written 21 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventures
Liverpool, UK17 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Upon booking on the website, they state they may have to cancel short notice due to adverse weather conditions. This is completely understandable as the weather at sea can change so quickly, however after a ten hour drive to Gairloch, we were informed out trip would not be going ahead less than 24 hours before we were due to go out, at 8:30pm. This is what upset us as we could have spent the afternoon looking for other activities for the next day when we were supposed to be on the tour, or even attempt to find another trip that was still going ahead. We were offered a refund or to come back at a later date for another trip, however the 10 hour drive isn’t worth the 50/50 chance. Since they monitor weather conditions at sea daily, surely they must have known our trip wasn’t going ahead earlier on in the day? Overall a shame and what felt like a wasted journey. Obviously not the teams fault, but better communication and updates are needed.
Written 4 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richhannan
Richmond, UK21 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
I had two trips out on the RIB and the service I received was first class. Very safe and knowledgable skipper who made every effort for us to see as much wildlife as possible. Both trips well exceeded the 2.5 hours and I have no problems recommending this experience to others.
Thank you Skipper for great memories and your mum and dad were lovely too.
Thank you Skipper for great memories and your mum and dad were lovely too.
Written 4 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rrobertsx
Saltash, UK8 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
This boat trip was incredible. Very friendly staff from the lady helping with the trousers, coats and life jackets to the lady who conducted the boat tour. We came to Scotland all the way from Cornwall specifically for this trip and we were not disappointed. With a 7 year old who LOVES whales we didn’t get our hopes up as we knew nothing was guaranteed. We came across about 12 or 15 dolphins who circled and played around the boat for ages. Next we caught sight of a minke whale who dove back down and disappeared. We were just pleased at this point we saw a whale in the wild. However a little later we caught about 4 or 5 minke whales enjoying their lunch! Circling and splashing in the water it was wonderful. It was very quiet out at sea and amazing just to hear the whales blowing and splashing the water. Vee who was in charge of the boat was really knowledgeable and answered any questions. An experience we will never forget. If you’re umming and ahhing about this trip then please book! We will be back! :).
Written 24 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PAGH2011
Harrogate, UK39 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Wow!!!!! Absolutely buzzing high on Adrenaline. What a boat trip. The sea was like a millpond, the ride was so calm and absolutely full of wildlife.
Best boat trip ever.💯%
Over 100 Common Dolphins seen🐬
At least 10 minkie Whales.🐋 Some even Lunge feeding, we saw inside the mouth of the whale feeding!!!
Harbour porpoises complete with a calf and them breaching.
Grey and Harbour seals🦭
Diving Gannets
Puffins galore
Razorbills, Guillemots, Great Skuar, Fulmer, Great Black backed gulls.
The best skipper in the UK and his assistant. Steve and Gordie were amazing and very respectful to the cetaceans and sea birds.
These guys rock the cetaceans sightseeing trips well and truelly many could learn from them..
Role on Wednesday and will also be booking Friday.
Look forward to what else we can see.
Thank you so much for a fantastic evening.
Best boat trip ever.💯%
Over 100 Common Dolphins seen🐬
At least 10 minkie Whales.🐋 Some even Lunge feeding, we saw inside the mouth of the whale feeding!!!
Harbour porpoises complete with a calf and them breaching.
Grey and Harbour seals🦭
Diving Gannets
Puffins galore
Razorbills, Guillemots, Great Skuar, Fulmer, Great Black backed gulls.
The best skipper in the UK and his assistant. Steve and Gordie were amazing and very respectful to the cetaceans and sea birds.
These guys rock the cetaceans sightseeing trips well and truelly many could learn from them..
Role on Wednesday and will also be booking Friday.
Look forward to what else we can see.
Thank you so much for a fantastic evening.
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, we will stay at Scotland end of August, begin September. Is this a good time to say whales? Dolphins and Minkies are ok, but what about the huger species? We were at Iceland and saw two times…. nothing 🤣
Written 4 February 2024
Hi can children go out the trip? If so what's the youngest age?
Written 26 February 2020
when does the whale trips start please
Written 7 March 2020
How much does the trip cost?
Written 18 January 2020
Contact the company direct! Best option
Written 19 January 2020
Are there toilets on board for the longer trips?
Written 25 August 2019
Definitely no toilets on board but agreed there are public toilets on the shore near the booking office.
Written 2 September 2019
Hello! What is the best time of year to see orcas on this tour?
Written 15 April 2019
That's what I'd like to know too..
Written 28 April 2019
Rachel H
Wigan, United Kingdom
Hoping to come on this trip in about 3/4 weeks, how many orcas have been seen recently? As they're the only reason I want to go on it
Written 7 October 2018
Sorry i cannot answer this as we had to abandon the cruise due to fog!!
Written 18 January 2019
hoi , this is not what happened , she booked a trip that was canceled and hwc asked if she wanted to be rebooked the next day.
what THEY din't wanted becuse of the borderline weather and asked to be rebooked on a difrent date what hwc did . so 2 places where free on that trip that they denied, Than the skipper sended a mesage to all the persons on the cancel trip to say she was going to set sail the next day.
Diane should now that was not for her since she herself asked not to be booked on that trip!
Than they show up and whitout informing the crew that they weren't booked for that day they dressed up.
sadly for them that trip was fully booked and when the 2 ppl that had booked that day came to the ribb its was clear there was someone who din't booked for that trip ,did she exspected that hwc sended the ppl that had booked for that day of the boat
as i see it there big diference in how she lets it look
Written 20 July 2018
How wet do you get on a dry day? (If that makes sense!!) do you still need waterproofs? Thanks
Written 9 July 2018
All waterproof gear supplied - even gloves. But make sure you are wrapped up warm as the boat goes very fast and is very airy, even on hot dry days.
Written 9 July 2018
How wet do you get on a dry day? (If that makes sense!!) do you still need waterproofs? Thanks
Written 9 July 2018
How wet do you get on a dry day? (If that makes sense!!) do you still need waterproofs? Thanks
Written 9 July 2018
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