gemini

explorer

marine

charters

Peter Hizzett

www.geminiexplorer.co.uk

07785 331806

07747 626280 (boat)

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Discover the natural beauty of the North East Coast of Scotland along the Moray Firth Coast. The boat trips take two and a half hours, cruising along the Moray Firth an area of outstanding natural beauty, incredible rock formations and charming villages dotted along the way. The wildlife here is of international importance for the population of Bottlenose Dolphins resident in the Firth.

As well as Dolphins, we regularly encounter Harbour Porpoise, and both Grey & Common Seals basking on rocks or bathing in the sea nearby. Occasional sightings of Minke Whales and more rarely, Basking Sharks can also be seen. Most of all just enjoy the charming scenery, the refreshing sea air and the breathtaking views whilst on your Scottish Wildlife Cruise. Gemini Explorer is berthed in Buckie Harbour, on the North East Coast of Scotland approximately one hours drive from Aberdeen and Inverness on the A96.

Gwyn Tanner

www.dolphintripsavoch.co.uk

01381 622383

07779 833951

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Wildlife watching within Inverness/Moray Firth. Sailing daily from Avoch Harbour (as tide allows).

24' dory, 12 passengers, powered by diesel/waterjet.

Dolphins, porpoise, minke, ospreys, red kites, guillemots, shags, cormorants, seals (both grey & common), occasionally otters.

Sarah Pern

www.ecoventures.co.uk

01381 600323

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Join EcoVentures for an exhilarating trip aboard our 9.5m RIB to explore the waters of the Inner Moray Firth. The 2 hour Wildlife Watch trip gives you the best chance to view the resident colony of bottlenose dolphins with frequent sightings of harbour porpoise and common & grey seals. Also enjoy the spectacular cliff coastline with its bird colonies and war fortifications from a unique viewpoint. An informative commentary is provided throughout with complimentary refreshments served aboard.

EcoVentures is a Dolphin Space Programme accredited operator and sails daily (April-Oct) from the historic village of Cromarty, approx 1/2hr from Inverness. Booking highly recommended. All waterproofs provided.

Peter MacDonald

www.loupers.com

01542 833867

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Local group, involved in land and sea based wildlife watching.

Newsletter, booklet and DVD available on bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and whales in Moray Firth.

Bill Ruck

www.moraydiving.com

01309 690421

07775 802963

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Home port Lossiemouth, Moray, usually covering an 8 mile radius. The boat is a large, very stable Blyth 33 and family friendly.

Wildlife you can see in the Moray Firth includes bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, grey & common seals, minke, orca, humpback whales and a large variety of seabirds.

Tina Simpson

Jack Wingate

Scott Gair

www.inverness-dolphin-cruises.co.uk

01463 717900

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Eric Wardlaw

Link to website 1

Link to website 2

01667 456078

07050 214127

Phoenix Boat Trips operates in the Moray Firth, departing out of Nairn harbour on board an ex-Navy 34' twin diesel cutter.

The trip entails a view of a seal colony near Ardesier, cruising past Fort George and the possibility of a visit from the bottlenose dolphins near Rosemarkie in the Inner Moray Firth. Last year, minke whales and basking sharks were also spotted.

John Smith

www.puffincruises.com

01542 832560

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Tony Archer

www.sailingwild.com

01343 829244

07706 108613

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Sailingwild operates a 36ft sailing boat "Dolphinicity" which is also powered by a bio-diesel fueled engine.

Sailing from Lossiemouth with local wildlife including grey seals, dolphins, porpoise, minke whales and occasional basking sharks.

anstruther pleasure trips

John Murray and Cathie Murray

www.isleofmayferry.com

01333 310103 (sailing info)

01333 310054 (bookings)

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Visit the Isle of May on Anstruther Pleasure Trips. MV "May Princess" which is licensed by Scottish Natural Heritage to take visitors to the Isle of May. Spend 2 to 3 hrs wandering around this beautiful National Nature Reserve, home to incredible wildlife including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, shag (April to Aug best time for seabirds), seals all year round, dolphins, whales sometimes seen.

See the remains of a 6th & 12th Century monastery and the oldest lighthouse in Scotland. Superb views everywhwere.

Boat sails daily on the tide (Apr - 30th Sept), ticket kiosk opens 1 hr before sailing for ticket sales. See website or phone helpline for further info.

white horse charters

Chris Temple

see their website

01542 833434

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We offer charters in the Moray Firth of any kind, from one day to several days in duration.

Our home port is Buckie, central for any operation in the Moray Firth. We aim to be different by adapting our trips to your individual needs, from diving to survey work.

brian bartlett

Brian Bartlett

01569 766040

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Sea angling, pleasure/sightseeing trips.

8 metre, C.O.P. boat. Maximum 8 pasengers.

Ian Wilson

www.seaskills.co.uk

01620 895135

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Robert McHugh

www.morayfirthboatcharter.co.uk

0776 6006 547

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Do you want to look for dolphins, see the gannets at Troup Head, do a little fishing or just enjoy a cruise along the scenic coast of north-east Scotland?

Operating out of Banff Marina, we offer skippered "whole boat" charters for between 1-5 guests. You decide what you want to do and how long you want to be out for. Equipped with heated cabin, toilet and comfortable seating, Sue J offers a different way of enjoying this most scenic part of the Moray Firth.

Sue J is licensed, insured and carries all necessary safety equipment.

Martin Latimer

CSM Consultants

01505 500064

csmscotland@hotmail.com

Marine Consultancy specialising in the boating industry and the environment.

Based in North Ayrshire.

mvs tay

Marine Volunteer Service

Dundee

Ken Bushe, Pat Lawrence, Ian G.McIntosh, Bob Richmond and Ray Clark

www.mvstay.org

www.tayrivertrips.org

01382 542516

email MVS Tay

MVS Tay is the Dundee branch of the Maritime Volunteer Service. The MVS promotes the education and the training of members of the public in all aspects of maritime skills, including training in boathandling and seamanship, navigation, communications, onshore support and marine engineering. The Dundee branch of the MVS is one of the largest in Britain with a fleet of 5 vessels. Every aspect of running this seagoing unit is carried out by our own membership.

Taymara (registered charity) offers free sea training and qualifications to recovering drug and alcohol users and people with learning disabilities. We are looking for people to train as crew, skippers, engineers, communications personnel, shore support, as well as people interested in restoring a historic vessel - please contact us.

MVS Tay arrange wildlife watching in the Tay estuary (dolphins a speciality) as well as river trips of the estuary and to Perth.

forth charter services

dive safari scotland

Brian Anderson and Maggie Sheddan (guide)

Forth Charters website

Dive Safari Scotland website

01620 890022

email Brian

An established diver operation, based in North Berwick, with a 40ft Corvette Bullet.

We are close to the gannet colony on the Bass Rock and the seal and puffin colonies of the Isle of May. In addition to dives and trips to the islands, we also run photo trips for people to capture the wonderful scenery and wildlife of the area. Previous experience of wildlife tours with the Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick.

Ronnie Mackie

www.theecologycentre.org

01592 891567

email Ronnie

Craigencalt Ecology Centre, near Kinghorn, Fife, is a community-based non profit making organisation established in Aug 1998.

CEC exists to provide direct experience and raise awareness of the environment, promote conservation & sustainability, to support "wise use" of Kinghorn Loch and the surrounding area, and encourage access & develop involvement of the local community.

CEC offer environmental education, training, talks & tours including coastal walks (grey seals, seabirds, occasionally bottlenose dolphins), volunteering opportunities, workshops & events.

Maggie Sheddan (guide)

www.seabird.org

01620 890202

send an email

Lying just south of Scotland’s attractive capital city Edinburgh, the coast and countryside of East Lothian boasts a stunning natural environment of outstanding beauty and great diversity of wildlife. People don't just come to North Berwick for the famous gannets of Bass Rock (although who could blame them for that!). Puffins, guillemots, shags and kittiwakes return to nest here year after year.

In addition, the Centre arranges guided boat trips to photograph the variety of grey seals, bottlenose and Risso's dolphins, porpoises and whales (including minke, pilot, fin, humpback and killer) sometimes seen in the area.

Ann M. Ashton

www.invernessmarina.com

01463 220501 or Mob: 07526 446348

info@invernessmarina.com

Inverness Marina is one of Scotland’s most sheltered natural deep water harbours with 147 pontoon berths, each serviced with electricity and water.

IML lies south-west of Chanonry Point in the Inverness Firth and one mile from Inverness city centre.

Located at the top of the Great Glen it offers a great variety of landscape and sea from Loch Ness to the Moray Firth with all the varied wildlife that can be found in this part of Scotland.

Adelaine Munro

www.caithness-seacoast.co.uk

01955 609200

enquiries@caithness-seacoast.co.uk

Enjoy breathtaking sea tours around the fascinating East Caithness coastline. Operating from Wick Harbour using our exciting boat the GEO EXPLORER. Purpose built with twin engines, passenger comfort & safety in mind, we can quickly whisk you away to an unseen world of nature and wonder.

Explore caves and geos. See bird and marine life up close. View magnificent cliff top castle ruins. Visit the amazing Whaligoe steps and other deserted harbours. Operating all year round. Timetable & tours variable on season and demand.

Simon Mitchell Paterson

www.findhornmarina.com

01309 690099

info@findhornmarina.com

Findhorn Marina operates a water taxi around Findhorn Bay.

Trips can include seal watching along with other wildlife.

Findhorn Marina also hosts a sailing and powerboat school, cafe and shop.

Ian Page

www.north58.co.uk

01261 819900 or Mob. 07854 447720

adventure@north58.co.uk

North 58 Sea Adventures offer fast and thrilling tours of the Moray Firth coast on board the 8.5m RHIB Buchaneer - a fantastic wildlife watching experience. Based at Banff Marina, North 58 is ideally located to explore the best this coast has to offer, including spectacular cliffs, caves, traditional fishing villages and ruined castles. Take in the incredible seabird city at Troup Head and enjoy the sight of thousands of gannets wheeling above your head.

Seals, bottlenose dolphins, porpoises and even minke whales may be encountered along the way. Each voyage is different - we guarantee a fun and safe trip, with knowledgeable skippers, plus a blast of fresh sea air - the rest depends on the weather and the wildlife. Just bring your sense of adventure!

Advance booking is recommended.

Mike Dales

01738 850776 or

Mob. 07798 823476

mikedales@btinternet.com

Mike Dunthorne

www.boots-n-paddles.co.uk

0845 612 5567

mike@bootsnpaddles.co.uk