Hebrides Cruises: leader in Scottish wildlife cruising

Choose your Hebridean Cruise

Hebrides Cruises provides a sensational sea-going combination of luxury, adventure and breathtaking encounters with wildlife. Our classic, ocean-going vessels explore far-flung destinations such as St Kilda, Mingulay and the Shiants in comfort and safety, calling in at idyllic Outer Hebridean islands from Barra and the Uists to Lewis and Harris. The Inner Hebridean islands of Mull, Iona, Skye, Eigg and Canna are perfect for island hopping, or follow the ancient sea route of the Lord of the Isles to explore the Southern Hebrides. Hebrides Cruises is a family business with customer satisfaction at its heart; double award winners in the Herald Scottish Family Business Awards 2023

New for April 2025: In Search of Seafood, a 4-night culinary cruise 

Join us on a culinary adventure to sample the fresh, delicious seafood of the Hebrides, while enjoying the warmer spring weather and beautiful scenery with close encounters with wildlife.  Find out more>

Awards 2024: Winner, Highly Commended & Finalist

We feel quite overwhelmed at the number of nominations for awards we have received this year and award celebrations we have attended as finalists!  Find out more

New 3-night luxury Hebrides cruise, aboard Lucy Mary, April 5th 2025

We have added an April 2025 date to our Hebrides Magical Mini Cruise, onboard Lucy Mary, which is specially designed for those looking for an inspirational short break cruise. Lucy Mary has that extra touch of luxury for the Hebridean holiday of a lifetime. The classic interiors and outdoor decks are perfect for soaking up the relaxed atmosphere and hospitality on board, while the Chef cooks up delicious menus from fresh, locally sourced produce.  Prepare to be revitalised while watching out for dolphins and eagles as the beautiful scenery glides past.  Find out more>.
 

Discover the outstanding beauty of the Hebrides from the sea

Cruising the coastlines of the Hebrides is an unforgettable experience. The sheer beauty of the scenery will take your breath away and it really does feel as if you have escaped to another world. Hebrides Cruises stopovers always include some visits to the most idyllic beaches and bays, where there are no other people, only wildlife. The cruise itinerary will vary depending on weather conditions, opportunities to spot wildlife, and the wishes of guests.  Each evening the Skipper and Wildlife Guide join our guests for dinner to discuss the possibilities for cruise itineraries and shore trips the following day. 
 

Hebrides Wildlife Cruises with breathtaking rare species encounters

Hebrides Cruises is very proud of their sharp-eyed and highly qualified Wildlife Guides who continually scan the seas, land, and skies to ensure our guests experience amazing wildlife sightings. A surfacing minke whale, bow-riding short-beaked dolphins, an otter playing in the seaweed, eagles wheeling overhead, porpoises, and seals are seen on almost every cruise, as are around 80 bird species. Rarities such as orca (killer whales), basking sharks and other types of whales appear less often but if they are there, our Crews will spot them. Read our recent amazing Hebrides whale-watching cruise report. 
 

Wildlife Experts and accompanied onshore excursions

Our Hebridean wildlife cruises are unique in the Scottish small-ship cruising sector because of the marine and wildlife expertise of our crews. Our wildlife experts are onboard all Hebrides Cruises, they know the best habitats where the wildlife hangs out, the signs to look out for when wildlife is around, and will identify and provide information on all species seen or heard. Whether onboard or onshore, if the wildlife is there, they will find it for you. Have a look at our Hebrides wildlife gallery which features over 100 rare and iconic species we see while cruising. We will continue to add the many other less obvious but just as fascinating species spotted. View the nature and wildlife gallery here> 

Get a taste of the fabulous food served onboard our cruises

The meals served onboard our vessels by our Chefs are legendary. All food is prepared from fresh, local ingredients, creating delicious dishes that get rave reviews from our guests.  A speciality of Hebrides Cruises is hand-dived scallops by Skipper Rob.  If Rob is your Skipper he will often dive for fresh scallops to be prepared by the Chef that day.  View our Fabulous Food Gallery>

Read our guest reviews

Trip Advisor doesn't review cruises, so we have our own Hebrides Cruises review system on our website where guests can leave a review in their own words, unedited. Since July 2015 Hebrides Cruises has received almost 500 reviews which can all be read on our website. We are delighted that they are 100% positive which is a credit to our crews and shore staff who always go the extra mile for our guests.