The Corryvreckan by Boat – Seals, Porpoises and Eagles
A few hours.
The route
Seafari's boats leave Ellenabeich, on the Isle of Seil, for two hours among the islands south to the Gulf of Corryvreckan and its tidal whirlpool.
Seals and porpoises are seen on most trips, eagles often. After a morning boat, lunch is across the harbour at the Oyster Bar.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
Book Seafari, Ellenabeich harbour
Book the two-hour Corryvreckan wildlife tour for a morning departure, online at any hour or on 01852 300003 (9am to 5pm daily): £55 an adult, £45 a child, ages four and over, paid in full when booking; a full refund if you cancel 48 hours ahead.
Book a table for lunch at the Oyster Bar on its website or on 01852 300121: lunch is noon to 2.30pm in October.
The day
Ellenabeich and the Corryvreckan
Two hours at sea on a morning boat, then lunch a minute's walk from the harbour.
About three and a half hours
Seafari, Ellenabeich harbour
Ellenabeich is the old slate village on the Isle of Seil, over the Clachan Bridge on the B844. Park in the free public car park, then find Seafari's ticket office at the harbour, by the red phone box and opposite the Oyster Bar, half an hour before sailing. Use the village's public toilets first: there are none on the open boats. The Corryvreckan wildlife tour lasts two hours and sails daily for ages four and over: £55 an adult, £45 a child. From mid-September to the end of the season it goes on a fast catamaran with a heated cabin; otherwise on an open boat for 12, with waterproofs and lifejackets provided. Seafari sees seals and porpoises on most trips, often eagles, sometimes otters and dolphins; minke whales from May to September and basking sharks from May to August. How the whirlpool looks depends on the tide: ask when you book. The trip isn't for anyone pregnant or with back or neck problems.
About 2 min on foot
The Oyster Bar
Lunch
The Oyster Bar & Restaurant faces the harbour across the village square, a minute's walk from the boat, with a back room looking out to Scarba and Jura. In October it serves lunch every day from noon to 2.30pm and dinner from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, with the bar open 11am to 9pm. The menu is pub favourites and local shellfish, shorter in winter, when the hours can change at short notice. Book a table on its website or on 01852 300121. Over Christmas and New Year, check before going.
If it rains
The autumn catamaran has a heated cabin; the boat sails in rain but not when the crew judge it unsafe, and they decide the evening before or that morning. Lunch is indoors.
Photograph by Geoff Edwards via Google