corryvreckan boat trips from oban

Sealife Adventures

Wildlife and whale watching boat trips and cruises on the West Coast of Scotland, near Oban, Argyll. Overlooking the Isle of Mull

All trips visit the Corryvreckan Whirlpool where under certain conditions turbulent tides create one of the world’s largest series of whirlpools, upwellings and standing waves.

The Corryvreckan is bounded on the north side by Scarba and on the south side by Jura. As the tide flows through the channel it gets squeezed between the two islands and picks up lots of speed. Your trip will take you to an underwater pinnacle, 30 mtrs deep at the top with steep underwater cliffs to depths of 220 mtrs. The tide runs around the pinnacle  and the river of fast moving turbulent water can create series of rotating eddies at either edge as it passes slower moving water.

Sometimes, depending on wind and tide there are standing waves around the pinnacle, these can be very dramatic and impressive. If you would like to come on a trip when the tides are at their strongest book one of our Whirlpool Specials.

On all our trips you will discover that the area around the Corryvreckan is rich in wildlife, why is this? Well, it is all to do with the currents which bring very rich feeding in to the area which attracts lots of large mammals such as porpoises, dolphins and whales. We also see many seabirds around the Corryvreckan with gannets diving from great heights to catch fish.

Your wildlife guide will tell you the tragic but romantic story of a Viking prince whom the Corryveckan may have been named after.

Have a look at the video below. It was filmed by our owner skipper David who has also filmed the Corryvreckan Whirlpool for Coast and for the documentary Maelstrom shown on Discovery Channel.

07976 280195

• Corryvreckan

This popular 3 hour tour allows passengers the opportunity to get up close to the world’s 3rd largest whirlpool from the safety of an open RIB. We try to ensure that departure timings are relevant to witnessing the best effect linked to the current tide table. However, there may be times when you will not see the whirlpool at its best as it only happens about 50 times per season. (Photo: The Corryvreckan Whirlpool © Copyright Walter Baxter and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. )

The whirlpool is caused by a large volume of water travelling northward along the narrowing channel called the Sound of Jura and as it gets squeezed it takes the easiest escape route which is the mile wide gap between Jura and Scarba called the Gulf of Corryvreckan. As the water flows west it encounters various obstructions and there are 2 that cause the most dramatic change in water state and that is a 219m hole (or two St Pauls Cathedrals) and a large pinnacle of basalt rock standing some 130m on the northwest side of the Gulf. When the water passes over these impressive areas of topography it gathers speed and on contacting the pinnacle you witness the whirlpool effect.

On this tour you will also see an active nesting site for White Tailed Sea Eagles and the legendary Barnhill where George Orwell wrote his best seller 1984 .

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• Wildlife | Lowlandman’s Bay and Brosdale Island
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Boat Trips from Oban

Boat trips are an unbeatable way to explore Oban & the Isles and discover the wonderful wildlife that inhabits the region’s waters and coastline.

Oban is a world-class destination for spotting seals, whales, dolphins and porpoises plus minke whales, basking sharks and even the occasional orca.

There are a number of experienced operators offering wildlife-watching boat trips whilst there’s also the Corryvreckan Whirlpool, where tides and currents make it one of the largest permanent whirlpools on earth.

Record-breaking Giant Skate have been caught off Oban and there’s plenty of opportunities to join a game fishing trip.

Boat Trip Experiences

You don’t need to take a wildlife boat trip to spot whales and dolphins in Oban, Lorn & the Isles. Keep your eyes peeled when you’re on a ferry journey and you may well spot something!

Or, why not join one of the many trips available on our ferries, boats or yachts?

There are numerous boat operators that will take you out to the islands or our sea lochs which are also fabulous places for boat cruises.

West Coast Tours

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Sealife Adventures

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Clachan Seil By Oban PA34 4TR

Tel: 01631 571010 (daytime) 01852 300203 (evening and weekends)

Basking Shark Scotland

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Seafari Adventures (Oban) Ltd

Seafari Adventures are a 5* Visit Scotland marine wildlife tour operator. Based in the conservation area of Easdale, 16 miles south of Oban. Our Wildlife Tou...

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Head Office, 36 Lancefield Quay Glasgow G3 8HA

Tel: 0141 243 2224

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Looking for the perfect island hopping day trip from Oban? Head on the Three Isles Tour with West Coast Tour and visit Mull, Iona and Staffa in just one day!

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Corryvreckan wildlife boat trip

The trip begins at Easdale pier, south of Oban , where you’ll begin with a safety briefing on shore and be kitted out with a waterproof jacket and trousers, a lifejacket and a pair of binoculars. Tours take place on an open rigid-hulled inflatable boat with space for 12 passengers, each with their own seat

You’ll set off in the direction of Jura to the south. The boat can travel quite fast so the boat ride is quite thrilling in its own right, but the skipper will slow down as you approach some of the smaller Inner Hebridean Islands so you can observe the deer and feral goats. The guides are good at pointing out wildlife and you’re also likely to spot seals, otters and plenty of seabirds and possibly frisking pods of dolphins as well as white-tailed eagles.

Soon you’ll reach the Grey Dogs, the narrow channel of water between Lunga and Scarba which is notorious for its tidal races. During a spring tide, there’s an obvious difference between the water level on the ocean side of the islands and that on the inner sound.

From here, you’ll head to the Gulf of Corryvreckan, the narrow channel of water between Scarba and Jura. Strong currents from the Atlantic rush through the narrow gulf and meet a tall pinnacle of rock rising from the depths which can generate waves of up to 9 m (30 ft) during high tides. Under the right conditions, the swell creates the whirlpool and the fast-moving waters attract a vast array of wildlife to the area including minke whales, porpoises, seals and basking sharks.

If safe to do so, the boat will enter the whirlpool so that passengers can feel the force of the swirling water below them before heading back toward Easdale. The trip takes around two hours in total and we recommend bringing lots of warm layers because the boat travels quickly out on open water and can generate a cool wind even on warm days.

Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Scotland specialists

• 617-223-4521 617-223-4752
• Make an inquiry

Photos of Corryvreckan wildlife boat trip

Other experiences in Oban

These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.

Argyll Safari castles tour

Explore the castles and fortifications of Scotland’s west coast on this full-day, private guided tour which takes in an Iron Age fortification, a ruined medieval castle and an extravagant 18th-century mansion set on the shore of the country’s longest sea loch.

Kilmartin Glen Neolithic site

Explore the prehistoric burial cairns, stone circles and standing stones in Kilmartin Glen south of Oban. The region was inhabited for more than 5,000 years and with 350 sites of interest has the richest concentration of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in Scotland.

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You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tour below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.

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Corryvreckan

© Jura Boat Tours

Gulf of Corryvreckan

This popular 3 hour trip allows passengers the opportunity to get up close to the world's 3rd largest whirlpool from the safety of an open RIB.

We try to ensure departure timings are relevant to witnessing the best effect linked to the current tide table. However, there may be times when you will not see the whirlpool at its best as it only happens about 50 times per season. You will however be able to see the difference in water height between the Atlantic and the narrowing channel running to the East of Jura as we will visit another smaller channel to the North of Scarba called the Grey Dogs if the Corryvreckan has no visible tidal movement.

On this tour you will also see an active nesting site for White Tailed Sea Eagles and the legendary Barnhill where George Orwell wrote his best seller 1984 as well as all villages on route from the departure point of Craighouse.

From £50 per adult

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

March — October

Contact details

• +44 () 07976280195
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Key facilities

Tour information.

• Argyll & The Isles
• Small Group (1-16)
• Photography

Tour prices

From £50 Per Adult £30 Per Child

Prices are subject to change depending on season

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Tour company information

Jura boat tours.

We offer bespoke RIB tours to various areas of outstanding beauty found around our shores which is rich with an abundance of wildlife. There is scope to see Dolphins, Porpoise, Seals, Otters and occasionally Minke Whale as well as Red Deer, Goats and Sea Eagles from the safety of the boat. We are WiSe accredited so that means we can operate tour boats safely in and around marine wildlife and the boat and crew meet the stringent RYA/MCA operation code for passenger carrying vessels. We can cater for both private and commercial charter including sea taxi if required.

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Opening times

0600 - 2200 daily

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Jenny Wren Boat Charter

Adventures in the corryvreckan whirlpool & beyond.

• 01852 500 779 [email protected]
•   Craobh Haven Marina    by Lochgilphead,    Argyll , PA31 8UA  

Jenny Wren Day Trips

We get you there faster so you have more time to spot wildlife, fish, taste whisky and enjoy.

NEW for 2019: Golf Trips

Two new trips for 2019 for golf fans. The picturesque coastal course on the Isle of Gigha or the beautiful woodland course at the Glencruitten Golf Club near Oban.

Golfing Trips  

Corryvreckan Whirlpool Adventure

Journey down the Sound of Jura to the remarkable Corryvreckan Whirlpool – the third largest in the world. This natural wonder is located between the islands of Jura and Scarba. Stunning scenery all the way, rich with wildlife – sea eagles, red deer, wild goats, seals, porpoises, golden eagles, dolphins, minke whales and a huge variety of sea-birds.

£50 Per Person for 3 people or more

£65 Per Person for 2 people 

Corryvreckan & Crinan

A trip to the Corryvreckan Whirlpool followed by a wee jaunt across to Crinan and the entrance to the Crinan Canal. There’s time ashore for lunch before travelling back along the picturesque Craignish Peninsula to Craobh Haven.

£75 Per Person 2 people

£65 Per Person for 3 or more people Lunch not included

Isle of Jura Distillery Trip

A scenic trip down the Sound of Jura, heading for Craighouse on the remote island of Jura where we will find the famous   Jura Distillery . Enjoy a wee dram or three and then perhaps take in a little fishing on the way back?

£85 Per Person min of 4 people.

Maximum 8 people 

Isle of Islay Distillery Trips

A journey further down the Sound of Jura to Port Ellen on the south end of Islay. The starting point of the distillery tour will be Laphroaig distillery for a 10.30 tour. After enjoying several whiskies tasters we then head for the Ardbeg Distillery for a bite to eat in their cafe followed by another dram or two. This trip will leave from Craobh Haven at around 8am and will take 6/7 hrs.

£600 for the hire of Jenny Wren Maximum 8 people

Sunset Cruise

Treat yourselves to a romantic trip with added sparkle… an evening on the waters off the west coast of Scotland. Enjoy the spectacular sunsets over the islands and inlets, as you watch the sun slowly set behind the mountains with canapés and glasses of bubbly in hand.

[Min 4 People

£55 Per Person +£30 per hour waiting time.

Oban Water Taxi

Oban is the largest town in Argyll & The Isles. If you are visiting the area and would like to take the opportunity to see the world famous Corryvreckan Whirlpool,and see the abundant wild life that the Argyll coast has to offer, we can pick you up from Oban by boat. Please contact Barry on 01852 500 779 or by e-mail @ [email protected] for prices.

The Gulf of Corryvreckan Whirlpool

The formation of whirlpools in the Gulf of Corryvreckan is a tidal phenomenon – it is important to note that the whirlpools are not always present !

IF YOU WANT TO SEE SOME WHIRLPOOL ACTION (many people prefer calmer conditions !) PLEASE ENSURE YOU LET US KNOW WHEN YOU CONTACT US SO, WE CAN ADVISE YOU OF THE LIKELIHOOD.

We have 3 tours that regularly pass through the gulf of Corryvreckan – or Whirlpool Special Tour, our Corryvreckan Wildlife Tour and our Corryvreckan Wildlife and Whales Tour.

Whirlpool Special Tours

These tours (1.75hrs) are specifically designed to see the Corryvreckan Whirlpool area at its most active – the focus of the trip is purely to enjoy the spectacle of the tidal action. We do not run these trips on a daily basis. We publish the dates and departure times on the  Whirlpool Special Tour  page, as we need certain tidal conditions to see the whirlpools at their best.

Corryvreckan Wildlife Tour

These 2 hour trips focus on wildlife however they do pass through the gulf of Corryvreckan. Depending on the tidal conditions at the time of departure it is possible there may be some whirlpools or the conditions may be completely calm, we often find that calmer conditions are better for wildlife sightings in the Gulf. Our ticket office team will be able to tell you whether the likelihood of tidal activity is high or low.

Corryvreckan Wildlife and Whales Tour

This 3 hour tour usually passes through the Gulf of Corryvreckan as the gulf is a popular feeding area for the whales. The boat we use for this tour, Celtic Adventurer, is a traditional boat so is not suitable to get up close to the tidal activity however the skipper will position the boat as safely as possible to ensure you can get to see any tidal action that is happening.

When is a good time to see the whirlpools?

The best time to see the tidal activity in the Corryvreckan is during big spring tides, this does not mean during the spring months but when we have a new moon or full moon. This happens approximately 30 times during our operating season.

What other factors affect the whirlpools ?

Each time we visit the whirlpool area it is different, the tidal range (difference between high water and low water height) plays a part, the wind strength and direction can affect the formation of the whirlpools and also the sea swell. The time of departure during spring tides also affects the type of tidal activity you are likely to see – If we depart at high water (as we do for Whirlpool Specials) you are more likely to see defined whirlpools and upwellings, if we depart at low water you are more likely to see dramatic standing waves. Like we said, it’s different every time !

All of our tours (excluding the day trip to Iona, Staffa and the Puffin colony) visit the Corryvreckan Whirlpool area. Please note – viewing the whirlpool area in the Gulf of Corryvreckan from the comfort of Celtic Adventurer will not give the same experience as on our open RIBs, which go right into the centre of the whirlpools.