Frequently Asked Questions

There is no charge for children under 5yrs.

When you click Book Online to book your chosen tour, enter the date, number of people then your contact details. You will then be asked to confirm your booking. Once confirmed, you will receive an e-mail giving your tour reference number, details of your tour and where and when to meet the boat. Please note that no payment is made online. Payment is made at the boat. Print out the e-mail or take a note of your reference number and show it to a crew member before payment. IMPORTANT:  Passengers who have booked online MUST bring their booking reference number.

Our system is 100% safe. No credit or debit card details are taken online as payment is made on the day of the tour at the boats. We take your privacy very seriously and will never pass your details to third parties.

Payment can be made by credit/debit card or cash. We accept all major credit/debit cards.

Yes.

You can book a tour as far in advance as you want. Tours run between April to October.

Yes.

We love having groups on our tours and we do offer reduced rates for group bookings. Please e-mail us to enquire about prices?

We recommend that you book tickets in advance to ensure your place and avoid disappointment, but tickets are available to buy on the boats subject to availability.

5-16yrs.

Unfortunately, no lunch or snacks are provided on the boats but passengers may bring their own packed lunch, snacks and drinks.

Yes, basic toilet facilities are available.

Onboard it is safe to carry babies in backpacks or baby carriers. However, when going ashore safety is the passenger’s responsibility.

Yes, we can take wheelchairs on board but, unfortunately, not containing the occupant. Shore landings are not suitable for wheelchairs.

Yes, dogs are allowed on the boats with permission. We ask that you e-mail us informing us of your tour booking, booking reference number and that you wish to bring your dog.

Tours run from April to October and wildlife sightings vary through the season.

• Whales  - Apr – Oct
• Dolphins  - Apr – Oct
• Porpoises  - Apr – Oct
• Basking Sharks  - Apr – Oct
• Puffins – May to beginning of August
• Guillemots - May to beginning of August
• Sea Eagles  - Apr – Oct
• Seals - spring and autumn
• Gannets - Apr – Oct, but only when their usual feeding grounds further north have stormy weather

Yes. Our crews are highly experienced and have a wealth of knowledge about Inner Hebrides wildlife, the history and geology of Staffa, Treshnish and Mull and will provide interesting and entertaining commentary from time to time during your tour.

Boat Tours from Fionnphort, Mull and Iona

• Staffa Tour - Tour duration: 2 hrs
• Wildlife Cruise, Treshnish Isles and Staffa Tour - Tour duration: 5 ½ hours
• Staffa ‘Early Bird’ Tour - Tour duration: 2 hrs

Boat Tours from Mull and Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan

• Staffa and Treshnish Isles Wildlife Tour - Tour duration: 6 hrs
• Whale Watch and Treshnish Isles Visit - Tour duration: 6 hrs

Boat Tours from Oban

• Three Isles Excursion - Tour duration: Full day
• Wildlife Cruise, Treshnish Isles and Staffa Tour - Tour duration: Full day
• Three Isles ‘Early Bird’ Excursion - Tour duration: Full day

Landings on Staffa and the Treshnish Isles are subject to favourable sea conditions.

All our tours except the Tobermory Bay tour make stops at either the Isle of Staffa, Lunga in the Treshnish Isles or the Isle of Iona. Please note that times are approximate depending on weather and tidal conditions. Boat Tours from Fionnphort and Iona

• Staffa Tour: about 1 hr on Staffa
• Wildlife Cruise, Treshnish Isles and Staffa Tour: 1 hr on Staffa, 2 1/4 hrs on Lunga
• Staffa 'Early Bird' Tour: 1 hr on Staffa

Boat Tours from Tobermory, Mull and Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan

• Whale Watch and Treshnish Isles Visit: 2 hrs on Lunga
• Staffa and Treshnish Isles Wildlife Tour: About 1 hr on Staffa, 2 hrs on Lunga

Boat Tours from Oban

• Three Isles Excursion: about 1hr on Staffa, over 2hrs on Iona (in October and on Saturdays prior to 5th May and after 8th September and on Sundays prior to 13th May and after 2nd September time spent on Staffa and Iona will be less than usual.)
• Wildlife Cruise, Treshnish Isles and Staffa Tour: 1 hr on Staffa, 2 1/4 hrs on Lunga
• Three Isles 'Early Bird' Excursion: 1 hrs on Staffa, about 2 hrs on Iona

Our boats berth at the jetty, and from there a stepped path with a railing leads to the top of the island. Access to the causeway is to the left of the jetty. The causeway provides easy walking due to its stepped, hexagonal pillars although it can be slippery when wet. Fingal’s Cave has an access platform with railing and caution is required when wet.

The boats berth at a floating pontoon and from there a short but moderately steep climb over some rocks is required to get close to the puffins and other seabirds at Harp Rock.

Unfortunately, no.

Due to some potential dangers, it is not advisable to carry babies on backpacks on the islands. Parents/guardians do so at their own risk.

No.

For tours departing from Oban, please ensure that you arrive at the boarding point at least 20 minutes before departure time.

Unfortunately, no. However, you can take a Bowman’s bus from Craignure to Tobermory or Fionnphort where our wildlife tours to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles depart daily.

Take the Calmac ferry from Oban to Craignure then a Bowman’s bus from Craignure to Fionnphort. Visit the Calmac website for the Oban to Craignure ferry timetable and the Bowman’s Tours website for the Craignure to Fionnphort bus timetable.

Take the Calmac ferry from Oban to Craignure then a Bowman’s bus from Craignure to Tobermory. Visit the Calmac website for the Oban to Craignure ferry timetable and the Bowman’s Tours website for the Craignure to Tobermory bus timetables.

No parking is available on Oban pier. Ferry passengers should use the adjacent Scotrail car park. There is also parking close at hand in Albany Street, two streets away from the ferry terminal, and also in Shore Street, one street away from the terminal.

Ledaig car park provides limited, free parking a short walk along Main Street from the Staffa Tours berth and Pontoons car park is adjacent to the Staffa Tours berth.

A large pay and display car park is situated at the approach to the slipway and a large, free car park 500m from the slipway.

There is car parking 50m from the slipway.