John o' Groats – a Wildlife Cruise to the Stacks or Stroma
A few hours.
The route
Stroma Wildlife Cruises is a family firm whose catamaran sails out of John o' Groats harbour into the Pentland Firth, home to some of the strongest tides in the world.
Depending on the tide, it heads for the jagged Stacks of Duncansby or across to Stroma, the empty island the family owns, with its grey seals. Lunch afterwards is a couple of minutes' walk away at Café Groats, looking across the firth to Orkney.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is House of the Northern Gate, 11 miles away. Sleeps 18.
Book a cruise with Stroma Wildlife Cruises from John o' Groats harbour online for a QR ticket, or ring 07776 500176: it sails in season and prints no dates, so check it's running, and cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a refund.
The day
John o' Groats
An hour and a half on the Pentland Firth among the tide races, the sea stacks and the seals, then lunch by the window looking over to Orkney.
About three hours
Stroma Wildlife Cruises
Stroma Wildlife Cruises began in 2025 as an offshoot of the family that has owned the island of Stroma since 1960, and its stable catamaran sails from John o' Groats harbour; directions and parking come with your booking. The cruise lasts 90 minutes, and the skipper picks one of two routes on the day by the tide and weather. One goes east past Duncansby Head lighthouse to the jagged Stacks of Duncansby and their 200ft cliffs; the other crosses the Inner Sound to Stroma and its large colonies of grey seals. Puffins, guillemots and razorbills crowd the cliffs in the nesting season, and whales or dolphins are a chance. It's £40 an adult, £20 for under-16s and free for under-3s at the time of writing, with four infants a trip at most. Book online for a QR ticket or ring 07776 500176; the firm sails in season but prints no dates, so ring to check it's running. Bring warm layers, waterproofs and non-slip shoes. There's a toilet on board, and no dogs, as sheep graze Stroma.
About 2 min on foot
Café Groats
Lunch
Lunch is a couple of minutes' walk from the harbour at Café Groats, beside the famous signpost, where a wall of windows looks over the Pentland Firth to Orkney. The family that runs it serves fresh local seafood, home-cooked meals and snacks. It opens all year, usually from 10am to 5pm, but in the dark months ring 07733 472395 before setting off. There are toilets in the café, and children are welcome.
If it rains
The cruise goes out only when the tide and weather allow, and one called off is moved or refunded in full. Café Groats is indoors, with the view.
Where to stay
Photograph by Bob Smith via Google