Experience the Marine Wildlife of Wester Ross from the comfort of our Catamaran, Seaquest MRV. We are the only boat in Gairloch skippered by a qualified Marine Biologist with decades of experience working and researching the local Marine life. Ian is a qualified marine biologist and his knowledge and passion for the marine environment is inspiring.
Gairloch and The Minch provide habitat and migratory feeding grounds for a diverse range of marine life, from marine mammals such as Whales, Dolphins, Porpoise and Seals to numerous species of Seabirds, and not forgetting Ocean Sunfish, Basking Sharks, Jellyfish and even the occasional Leatherback Turtle and Walrus!
Gairloch and The Minch provide habitat and migratory feeding grounds for a diverse range of marine life, from marine mammals such as Whales, Dolphins, Porpoise and Seals to numerous species of Seabirds, and not forgetting Ocean Sunfish, Basking Sharks, Jellyfish and even the occasional Leatherback Turtle and Walrus!
Services
Established in 1989 Gairloch Marine Life Centre & Cruises is one of the longest running marine wildlife operators in Europe and has the longest running Harbour Porpoise survey world-wide. Located in Gairloch Harbour, on the magnificent West coast of the Highlands of Scotland, we offer scenic and wildlife survey cruises around Gairloch and into the Minch with the emphasis on research and education.
Ian is our Marine Biologist and Skipper of Seaquest MRV and skippered MV Starquest for 20 years. He is the Seawatch Foundation North-west Scotland Regional Coordinator and the UK Ambassador for the Porpoise Conservation Society.
Originally from Nottingham, as a child Ian was fascinated by the aquatic explorations of Jacques Cousteau, this fascination stayed with him and inspired him to go on to study Marine Biology at Bangor University and the University Marine Biological Station Millport.
Originally from Nottingham, as a child Ian was fascinated by the aquatic explorations of Jacques Cousteau, this fascination stayed with him and inspired him to go on to study Marine Biology at Bangor University and the University Marine Biological Station Millport.
Our Marine Wildlife Information Centre can be found at the end of the harbour road by the pier. It is an information, education and research centre welcome to all. We have numerous displays on the the local Marine wildlife including where you are likely to see them from the shoreline to the Maerl beds of the deeper water of the Loch and the out into the Very deep waters of the Minch.
Phone calls are difficult due to signal problems and internet access can be unreliable, if your enquiry is for cruises today or the next couple of days please use the texting option as we are more likely to get back to you.
If you are unable to text please us the box opposite to tell us as much information about your group, how many adults and children and children's ages, and your preferred date, or to ask any other questions and Donna will reply as soon as she is able.
If you are unable to text please us the box opposite to tell us as much information about your group, how many adults and children and children's ages, and your preferred date, or to ask any other questions and Donna will reply as soon as she is able.
If entering the village on the A832 from the North, you need to keep driving straight, past the shop and petrol station, round past the golf course on your right and you will find the harbour just over the hill on your right hand side. If arriving in Gairloch from the South, you will find the Harbour on your left side before entering the actual village.
Reviews (13)
Mandy Hopkinson
Sep 02, 2021
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Jez Jennings
Aug 14, 2021
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Absolutely fantastic trip on Tuesday the 10th August 2021, we saw a basking shark, minke whale, several pods of dolphins a lion jelly fish, loads of seabirds, including 4 white tailed eagles, loads of puffins, kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, well worth the 4 hour trip at a fantastic price, will definatly do it again if I'm ever in the area, thank you so much 🙂
Kate Taylor
Aug 11, 2021
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We ended up on two trips this week on consecutive days! Such an amazing experience seeing minke wakes up close. Ian is so knowledgable and passionate and Donna was lovely looking after our dog while we went out. Two very different experiences.
Would definitely recommend and if we are ever visiting again, another trip is a must.
Would definitely recommend and if we are ever visiting again, another trip is a must.
Ned Kittoe
Jul 26, 2021
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Donna handled our booking and was very helpful and friendly. What a disappointment then to meet the rather over-defensive and negative Ian who we found to be the opposite. He began with a very sarcastic attitude about my use of the facilities including his toilet, and the fact that in passing I referred to his marine wildlife centre as a shed. My family felt that this was an embarrassing put down in front of the rest of the passengers. The safety information that he gave at the beginning of the cruise was at best cursory. There were not enough seats on deck which left four of us standing for the
Ellie Forrest
Jun 22, 2021
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Wonderful cruise with Ian, we were very lucky to see some common dolphins as well as plenty of seabirds. Ian was very knowledgeable and his insight into the local area and habitat was excellent. He also explained how the areas have changed over the years and what that means for the wildlife which gives helpful context to the sightings. A great way to spend a couple of hours in Gairloch.
Ruth Mac
Oct 17, 2020
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Jupiter Jupiter
Oct 17, 2020
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Second trip out with these guys and we will go out again! Obviously there are no guarantees that you will see dolphins or whales however we have never been disappointed.
On our first trip we saw a Skewer rip open a seagull and remove a fish and also porpoises and on the second trip we were surrounded by dolphins, saw porpoises, Skewers and also Ganets diving for fish!
On our first trip we saw a Skewer rip open a seagull and remove a fish and also porpoises and on the second trip we were surrounded by dolphins, saw porpoises, Skewers and also Ganets diving for fish!
Sylvia Willett
Jan 11, 2020
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Ifor Teare
Dec 06, 2019
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Lil Ghostie Kiwi
Nov 08, 2019
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Rob Bristow
Sep 05, 2019
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Heather Moreton
Jan 17, 2018
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WOW! Seriously WOW! These guys are amazing, not only value for money (and the cheapest wildlife trip in the area) they really know their stuff. All the staff are very friendly and chatty. And even though we did not see a lot of animals the skipper for the boat made sure to explain why certain birds/animals were no longer present. However he also went out of his way to try and find as many animals as possible whilst also making the trip as entertaining as possible. Well Done guy, I will be recommending you to all my friends :)
Also photos attached are from out the back door of the office. Stunning
Also photos attached are from out the back door of the office. Stunning
Yak
Nov 16, 2017
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