Right in the middle of summer is the perfect time to focus our amazing adventures on Whales and Dolphins. With the waters being warmer help the plankton and subsequently attracting the fish and the Cetaceans who go where the fish are. Basking Sharks move northwards following the plankton blooms too and once you have witnessed one of these 8 metre giants it is something you will never forget.
Some of the species we will aim to see include Minke Whales, Harbour Porpoise and Common Dolphins; which often seek out the Hjalmar Bjørge to ride her bow wave. Being nearly eye-to-eye with these graceful Dolphins make for an unforgettable encounter and is often the highlight of our guests day.
At this time of year the North Minch waters can be great for some of the larger whales including Humpbacks and the Fin Whale. The second largest animal to have ever lived.
The high, flat, viewing tops of the Hjalmar Bjørge provide the perfect vantage point to scan the waters for a surfacing whale or leaping dolphins. Whilst we don’t forget to keep a weather eye open for seabirds. Such as… Gannets, Manx Sheerwaters, Fulmars, Guillemots, Razorbills, both Great and Arctic Skuas, Manx Shearwaters, Storm Petrels, all the usual suspects.
At this time of year you may also may be lucky enough to spot other scarcer forms of Skua such as the long-tailed or Pomarine species, Sooty Shearwaters and even a Leach’s Petrel hiding amongst the Storm Petrels, for the very observant. White-tailed Eagles patrol many of the local sea lochs and cliffs, with Golden Eagles often spotted over the hill ridges too.
Each evening we anchor somewhere special, where we can watch the sunset with a glass of wine or a whisky! Our skippers know all the best anchorages, so you feel as though you have the islands all to yourself.
