Lossiemouth – a RIB Trip for Dolphins and Seals, and Lunch
A few hours.
The route
North 58° Sea Adventures is a family firm that takes small groups out along the Moray coast on a fast RIB, a rigid inflatable boat, looking for the firth's bottlenose dolphins, seals and seabirds.
Waterproofs and goggles are handed out at the pontoon, and the skippers know these waters well. Afterwards, lunch is a short walk along the quay at the Harbour Lights, looking over the marina.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
Book a North 58° Sea Adventures wildlife trip from Lossiemouth (not Findhorn) online or on 01309 690099, which also gives the day's times: trips run every day from March until the winter charters begin in November, weather permitting, are paid in full when booked and can be moved only with 48 hours' notice.
Book lunch at The Harbour Lights
Book a lunch table at the Harbour Lights by phone only, on 01343 814622, for between noon and 2pm, after the boat.
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The day
Lossiemouth
Two hours bouncing along the Moray coast in a fast open boat, watching for fins and seals, then a long lunch on the quay.
About three and a half hours
North 58° Sea Adventures
North 58° Sea Adventures runs 2-hour wildlife trips from Lossiemouth Marina, in the harbour off Shore Street, on RIBs that carry no more than 12. You'll be watching for the Moray Firth's bottlenose dolphins, the only known resident population in the North Sea, and for harbour and grey seals and the seabirds, though no animal can be promised. Trips run every day from March until the winter charters begin in November, weather permitting, at times that change from day to day, so ring 01309 690099 for them or book online, choosing Lossiemouth rather than Findhorn. It's £40 an adult and £33 for under-16s at the time of writing, paid when you book and not refundable. Be there 15 minutes early for waterproofs, goggles and a lifejacket. Under-7s go only in calm weather, under-16s need an adult with them, and the firm advises against the trip in pregnancy or with a bad back or heart.
About 2 min on foot
The Harbour Lights
Lunch
Lunch is a couple of minutes' walk along the quay at the Harbour Lights on Pitgaveny Quay, a café in an old stone harbour building looking over the marina. It opens every day from 8.30am to 4pm, though it says closing times may vary in winter. There are breakfasts all day, soups, sandwiches, main courses and a specials board, with a children's menu and home baking. Tables are booked by phone only, on 01343 814622, for lunch between noon and 2pm.
If it rains
The boat goes out only when the weather allows, and a trip called off for rough seas is moved or refunded. The Harbour Lights is indoors.
Photographs by Ian Leftwich, John Inglis and Phil Conkie via Google