Hebrides Cruises is a small-ship operator that has spent 30 years exploring the waters around Scotland’s west coast.
Hebrides Cruises has recorded some exceptional wildlife encounters in Scotland’s Atlantic waters, including orcas hunting dolphins, fin whales, humpbacks and large gatherings of feeding minke whales.
The multi-award-winning, family-run company operates three vessels from Oban, with experienced wildlife guides aboard every cruise, taking guests around Mull, Skye, the Small Isles and further into the Atlantic, combining wildlife watching with visits to some of Scotland’s more remote islands.
The company has recorded some exceptional wildlife encounters over the past few seasons, including:
Orcas hunting dolphins, May 2026: Head wildlife guide Lynsey Bland spotted five orcas, including a young calf, hunting common dolphins near Oban. The encounter was captured on film and attracted national media coverage. Researchers believe this hunting behaviour may never previously have been recorded in Hebridean inshore waters.
Fin whales, August 2026: During their ‘In Search of Giants expedition’, guests and marine scientist Dr Conor Ryan encountered a fin whale mother and calf at the edge of the Continental Shelf, west of St Kilda. The mother was estimated to be around 20 metres long and her calf 10-11 metres.
Minke whales, August 2026: An estimated 20-30 minke whales were seen feeding off Eigg, in one of the largest gatherings recorded in the Hebrides. Guests watched the whales feeding on shoals of fish alongside seabirds.
Humpback whales, August 2026: Two were encountered in the Minch during the In Search of Giants expedition, alongside sightings of a basking shark west of Coll and bottlenose dolphins off South Uist.
John Coe and Aquarius, September 2025: Guests aboard Lucy Mary encountered the two remaining known members of Scotland’s resident West Coast Community of orcas together in the Sound of Rum, northwest of Eigg. It was their first confirmed sighting together in 19 weeks, and guests watched the pair for almost an hour.
The company’s wildlife guides and guests also contribute sightings to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s Whale Track programme.
For April 2027, two particularly interesting departures are:
Idyllic Islands: Mull, Iona, Staffa & the Treshnish Isles, aboard Elizabeth G, departing 10 and 17 April. Six nights from £2,910pp.
Skye, the Small Isles & the Shiants, aboard Emma Jane, departing 24 April. Eight nights from £4,000pp.
