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A bottlenose dolphin surfacing in the grey water of the Moray Firth beside a Dolphin Trips Avoch boat.
The Black Isle

Dolphin Trips Avoch

Small-boat dolphin-watching trips from Avoch harbour on the Black Isle, with a skipper who was once a fisherman, from April to September.

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Welcome

Dolphin Trips Avoch takes small groups out from the harbour to look for the bottlenose dolphins of the Moray Firth.

Avoch is an old fishing village on the Black Isle, north of Inverness over the Kessock Bridge. The boat is the Corbiere, a 24-foot dory with a waterjet engine. It takes up to twelve passengers, and its design keeps the trips gentle on the wildlife. As well as bottlenose dolphins, you might see seals, porpoises, ospreys and red kites. Trips run from April to September, and children of 14 and under pay £20.

A short drive awayFortrose HarbourTelford's harbour along the coast.4 min by roadSee itGrassy harbour wall overlooking small boats and white houses along the shore
Before you go

Sailings daily from April to the end of September, as tide and weather allow; phone to book.

Where
Harbour Office, Pierhead, Avoch, IV9 8PT.
Fares
£25; £20 for 14 and under.
Boat
Up to 12 passengers.
Where it is

From the harbour office on the pierhead at Avoch, IV9 8PT.

Close byThe Black Isle.
  1. Coastal village curves along a bay, farmland rolling towards distant hillsAvoch CastleUnder a mile4 min by road
  2. Teal banquettes and wooden tables at IV10 under glass pendant lamps and a model sailing ship.IV10 Café Bar Deli2 miles4 min by road
  3. Fortrose Cathedral's red sandstone arches and clock tower in its green square under a blue sky.Fortrose Cathedral2 miles4 min by road
  4. RosemarkieRosemarkieThe village beyond Fortrose.3 miles7 min by road
  5. Chanonry PointChanonry PointThe point where the trips look for dolphins.3 miles10 min by road
Directions
Grassy harbour wall overlooking small boats and white houses along the shoreAttractionsFortrose Harbour1.6 miles
ShoppingHarbour Lane, Fortrose1.7 miles
The whisky bar at The Anderson in Fortrose, a barman pulling a pint before floor-to-ceiling shelves of bottles.BarsThe Anderson1.8 miles
Glass bakery display with tarts, brownies and pastries on labelled shelvesCafeBakhoos Bakery1.9 miles
A stone building strung with fairy lights and greenery houses Crofters, its anchor sign beside a picnic table in Ross and Cromarty.RestaurantsCrofters Café, Rosemarkie2.7 miles
White-washed Cromar House on a corner, slate roof and pale blue window framesAttractionsGroam House Museum2.7 miles
Waterfall cascading over mossy rocks into a woodland pool in autumnAttractionsFairy Glen, Rosemarkie2.8 miles
The Highland Mobile Sauna, a wooden barrel sauna on a trailer with its chimney, on the grass above Rosemarkie beach.ActivityHighland Mobile Sauna2.9 miles
The Rosemarkie Beach Cafe, a small blue timber cafe with its name over the door and tables outside.CafeRosemarkie Beach Café2.9 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the trip, and when each is next free.

Living room with red sofa, patterned ottoman and staircase behindNewhall Mains
  • To stay
  • In Balblair
  • 7 miles from Avoch Dolphin Trips
Check datesA white harled cottage with a slated roof and gabled porch sits behind a garden of wildflowers, a table and chairs on the patio.Garden Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In The Black Isle
  • 13 miles from Avoch Dolphin Trips
Check datesA stone cottage with a slated roof and dormer windows sits behind a gravel drive, ivy covering one gable end.Ivy Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In The Black Isle
  • 13 miles from Avoch Dolphin Trips
Check datesA stone steading with green shutters and a slated roof sits beside a gravel drive, mature trees framing the entrance.South Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In The Black Isle
  • 13 miles from Avoch Dolphin Trips
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in The Black IsleAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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