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A puffin in close view, its bill striped orange and grey.
Isle of Skye

SkyeXplorer Boat Trips

Puffin and wildlife trips from two harbours on Trotternish, Uig on the west for the Ascrib Islands and Staffin on the east for Fladda and the top of Skye.

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Welcome

From Uig, ninety minutes out to the Ascrib Islands, where puffins nest in burrows dug into the steep grass.

They are ashore in May, June and July and the operator guarantees you will see them in those months. There is also an evening sail in summer, when the light holds until ten.

From Staffin, a fast boat up the Jurassic coast to Rubha Hunish and across to Fladda, where puffins, razorbills and guillemots breed in hundreds. In August and September another trip runs out beyond Kilt Rock to a seamount, deep water where dolphins and whales are often seen. Since 2026 there is also guided snorkelling with grey seals.

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The Daily for 4 November, from Scotland with love. A pink sandstone castle bristling with conical turrets and a Union Jack flag rises above a gravel forecourt, autumn-tinged ivy climbing one wing beside cannon displayed on the lawn.
A short drive awayThe Galley CaféA blue seafood café and takeaway at Earlish on the road to Uig, looking over Loch Snizort.5 min by roadSee itThe Galley Café
Before you go

Two harbours, on opposite coasts of Trotternish and about forty minutes apart, so check which one your trip leaves from before you set off.

From Uig there is a ninety-minute puffin cruise out to the Ascrib Islands, and an evening birdwatching sail in the long light of summer. From Staffin there is a fast boat up the Jurassic coast to Rubha Hunish and across to Fladda, a Kilt Rock trip in August and September that runs out to a seamount where whales are often seen, and, since 2026, guided snorkelling with grey seals on Tuesdays and Fridays. Their website is puffinsandwhales.co.uk.

Puffin cruise, Uig
90 minutes to the Ascrib Islands. £41 adult, £33 child.
Puffin Express, Staffin
2 hours by fast boat to Fladda. £52 adult, £39 child.
Kilt Rock and whales
2 and a half hours from Staffin, August and September. £55 adult.
Snorkelling with seals
2 and a half hours from Staffin, Tuesdays and Fridays. £75 adult.
Puffin season
May, June and July, and they guarantee sightings in those months.
Booking
Book early. Trips sell out a few weeks ahead.
Parking
Free at Uig terminal. Charged at Staffin, £2.40 for two hours.

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Where it is

Two harbours on the Trotternish peninsula. The ninety-minute puffin cruise and the evening birdwatching sail go from Uig ferry terminal on the west coast. The fast boat, the Kilt Rock trip and the snorkelling go from Staffin harbour on the east, about forty minutes away by road. For Staffin, drive to the end of Staffin Boatslip Road rather than trusting a postcode.

Close byTrotternish, on both coasts.
  1. Rha WaterfallRha WaterfallA two-stage waterfall at the head of a wooded gorge in Uig, part of the Woodland Trust's Uig Wood.Under a mile 2 min by road
  2. A plate from the Ferry Inn's restaurant.The Ferry Inn RestaurantA family-run 19th-century inn in Uig with small plates of local produce, a lively bar and three rooms.1 mile 2 min by road
  3. The QuiraingThe QuiraingThe landslip on the ridge, on the road between the two harbours.6 miles 8 min by road
  4. Duntulm CastleDuntulm CastleThe ruin on its crag at the top of the peninsula.8 miles 11 min by road
  5. Open water off the north of Skye with low islands on the horizon, the view the lookout faces.Rubha HunishThe northern tip the fast boat rounds, walked to from Shulista.10 miles 14 min by road
  6. Kilt RockKilt RockThe sea cliff the Staffin trip sails under, from the viewpoint above.12 miles 16 min by road
Directions
Timber-clad building with black roof and metal railings along a gravel pathUigThe Cowshed Boutique BunkhouseSleeps 1 · 1.7 miles
Blue-clad building with wooden ramp signed "The Galley Seafood Café & TakeawayCafeThe Galley Café2.3 miles
Grassy mounds and rocky pinnacle surround a stone spiral at Fairy Glen, SkyeAttractionsFairy Glen2.6 miles
LinicroMonkstadt 1745Place to stay · 4.2 miles
The Kilvaxter souterrain at Kilmuir: the stone-lined entrance open in the turf beside a fenced path, with the interpretation board behind it.AttractionsKilvaxter Souterrain5.0 miles
An e-bike beside a rocky burn.AttractionsSkye EBikes6.0 miles
Thatched stone cottages flank old farm carts and a millstone on grassAttractionsSkye Museum of Island Life6.5 miles
The granite Celtic cross over Flora MacDonald's grave in Kilmuir burial ground, with the Minch behind it.AttractionsKilmuir Cemetery6.8 miles
Celtic cross gravestones in a coastal cemetery under a grey skyAttractionsThe Grave of Flora MacDonald6.8 miles

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Stay nearby

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

Timber-clad building with black roof and metal railings along a gravel pathThe Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse
  • Sleeps 1
  • In Uig
  • Under a mile from the trip
Check datesMonkstadt 1745
  • To stay
  • In Linicro
  • 2 miles from the trip
Check datesThe Trotternish coast from above Half of One, cliffs and green headlands running out into the sea.Half of One
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Culnacnoc
  • 8 miles from the trip
Free 4–7 NovDining room with tartan carpet, wine glasses set on long wooden tablesSkeabost House Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Skeabost Bridge
  • 9 miles from the trip
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay on SkyeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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