Hebridean Adventures x Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Discover the Hebrides like never before. In 2026, Hebridean Adventures and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust are joining forces to offer two extraordinary small-group wildlife cruises. From the nesting seabirds of Mull to the whales, dolphins, and basking sharks of the North Minch and Sea of the Hebrides, these journeys provide intimate encounters with Scotland’s most spectacular wildlife. With 10% of cruise profits donated to Durrell, every adventure also supports vital conservation work around the globe.
Your Adventure Awaits:
- Small-Group Exclusivity: Maximum 10 guests for a personalised wildlife experience.
- Guided by Experts: Each cruise features an onboard naturalist to help identify cetaceans, seabirds, and other wildlife, plus insight into local plants and island history.
- Breathtaking Landscapes: Remote islands, seabird colonies, marine life, and stunning sunsets — all from a comfortable expedition small ship.
Featured Cruises 2026:
- Spring Watch Around Mull: Isle of Eagles
- 22–27 April 2026 | 5 nights | Max 10 guests | £1,950 per person
- Witness seabird colonies in full spring display and enjoy expert commentary from wildlife professionals
- Whales and Wildlife of the North Minch & Sea of the Hebrides
- 13–23 August 2026 | 10 nights | Max 10 guests | £3,600 per person
- Explore the waters around the North Minch, the Isle of Skye, and the Small Isles observing whales, dolphins, basking sharks, and seabirds against some of Scotland’s most stunning scenery
- Includes expert guidance for spotting marine life and exploring island wildlife and history
Spring Watch Around Mull: Isle of Eagles with wildlife cameraman, James Stevens
22nd – 27th April 2026
5 nights | Max 10 guests | £1,950 per person
Late April and May is a great to time to watch out for and observe our amazing birds of prey also known as raptors. The Eagles, both Golden and White Tailed along with Peregrines will have recently hatched youngsters to feed which keeps the parents busy or our smaller raptors such as Hen Harrier, Merlin and the Short Eared Owl will be just getting started with male Hen Harriers performing their spectacular ‘sky dancing‘ displays or provisioning the female with food while she incubates the eggs.
The island of Lunga will be bustling with the arriving seabirds and the burrow nesting Puffins, along with auks, Fulmars and the arrival of our summer breeding visitors. We will also pass Staffa and it’s Basalt cave that inspired Mendelsson’s Overture. Check out our cruising area page for more detail on these islands.
But it’s not just about raptors and wildlife, there is also the opportunity to visit Iona and the abbey and the ancient history associated with it. There’s also a prospect of visiting Tobermory with its coloured houses, sights, culture and short walks around the area. Later we can even drop everyone off for a bit of walking and pick you up a few miles round the coast, lead by our experienced guides, resident on the Hjalmar.
Whales and Wildlife of the North Minch and Sea of the Hebrides
13 – 23 August 2026
10 nights | Max. 10 Guests | £3,600 per person
The waters around Scotland, especially the North Minch offer incredible opportunities to witness marine life, including Cetaceans and Basking Sharks and with a backdrop of some of Scotland’s best scenery and often ending the day with breathtaking sunsets.
All our cruises will have an expert guide onboard to help you spot and identify cetaceans and birds and when ashore to look at other wildlife, plants and history of the islands we visit.
This cruise, with its extra 2 nights starting from Oban, is like our ‘Whales and Wildlife Cruise of the North Minch’ but giving us the chance to explore more areas around the Isle of Skye, the Small Isles, possibly Coll and the Sea of the Hebrides (south Minch).