9 independent reviews for St Kilda, Outer Hebrides Cruise, Scotland
Reviews for St Kilda, Outer Hebrides Cruise, Scotland
Maggie Learoyd review 6 Aug 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing 12+ basking sharks around the boat for 45 minutes.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for all weathers but too cold to swim.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Crew collected washed up rubbish on remote places like the Shiants .4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Vacation of a lifetime in many ways such as locations whales and dolphins and outstanding food.Anne Richards review 31 May 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The wildlife, especially the dolphins playing at the bow of the boat, plus the many trips, especially St Kilda but the many other islands we stopped at as well. Also the superb food.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Go prepared with warm as it can be cold on the boat even in the summer plus waterproofs as well are vital, not because of the rain, but the spray, possibly on the boat and on the tender.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes because we visited their islands and contributed to their economy. Also the whole trip had this in mind.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Brilliant, superb, wonderful! I almost forgot the most important thing in my review, the crew. Nothing was too much trouble and always done with a smileHolly Manning review 13 Aug 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The most exciting and memorable part of our vacation was the sheer abundance of wildlife we saw during our trip. The multiple dolphin sightings brought us illimitable joy and the rare Minke sighting on our penultimate day left us awestruck.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Make sure you pack lots of warm layers as the weather is extremely changeable and you may experience four seasons in a day. Prioritise room in your bag to bring back bottles of gin and whisky from the incredible distilleries you may visit!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes to all of the above.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had the most incredible time! The stark and rugged beauty of the Hebrides was breathtaking and the Gemini Explorer was the ultimate home away from home. The Gemini crew (Dooogie, Ian and Keir) were extremely diligent and professional and generously shared their knowledge and expertise of the islands with us.Maureen Crawford review 21 Jun 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
St Kilda, hurts in the sunshine and banner colonies on the sea stacks2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Needs a degree of fitness for in & out of tender/rib, ship waterways & bunks!Supported local services and shops3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Supported local shops and services and Scottish National Trust4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Brilliant, great crew, great food, great companyDavid Schofield review 23 Jul 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
For Wendy and I arrival at Hirta after a dramatic sea crossing, to a long dreamed of adventure. Within Village Bay, kayaking amidst rafts of thousands of puffins in the evening. Whilst moored at Eigg we were kayaking with Dolphins at our bow. Most of all the union of fellow guests and crew.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just be prepared for all weathers, as suggested in trip preamble. A wetsuit (full/part) useful re kayaking/paddlebording/snorkelling. The additional one we purchased for twenty+ pounds at Tesco in Oban.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All our spending we felt was of benefit to the places visited, be it artists, retail outlets, our trip organisers. Small group travel always better re the environment.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The Crew and fellow travelers pulled together as members of an 'expedition'. None of the trip would be enjoyable without this fellowship !A well organised itinerary. Food amazing !Elizabeth Glenn review 20 Jul 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Getting out to St Kilda for a day and a half and the wide range of wildlife we saw2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The journey out to St Kilda can be a bit 'bouncy' so pack sea sickness tablets3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes we supported a local enterprise, and supported conservation on St Kilda. We also learned about the impact of over fishing/global warming on sea birds and other wildlife4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent - lovely crew, great food, comfortable cabins and stunning scenery and wildlifeSandra Rhind review 27 Jul 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The stacks at St Kilda with thousands of birds in the air.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If booking a twin cabin be aware it is very small and not easy for person in top bunk to get down.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Neither, as we only had 2 destinations where we could spend and the ship uses diesel. But as we were a small group we didn’t have an adverse effect on the environment.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I would rate my vacation an 8 out of 10. Crew excellent. Food fantastic.Joan Adams review 12 Jul 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We loved sailing on the little ship St.Hilda. The captains Christophe and Chris kept the sailing trouble free all the way to St.Kilda and we even did some under sail only. It was beautiful. We saw seals, dolphins, a minke whale and all sorts of sea birds. There were plenty of books to reference what we saw. Morag our cook was brilliant serving up tasty meals and even making bread for my husband who is gluten intolerant. We sailed all around St.Kilda too, to look at the bird colonies on the sea stacks. It was amazing with the weather being kind to us too. We also stopped off at Barra, Vatersay, Canna, Tobermory and Loch Aline.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
We were all good sailors but sea sickness pills are needed if you are susceptible.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not many people get out to St.Kilda which is supervised by the national trust for Scotland. We were encouraged to take nothing on to the island and leave nothing behind. At our stopping off points we all used the local shops for souvenirs and coffees etc.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We enjoyed every moment of the vacation. We were with like minded travelers who were good company. The crew looked after us so well.Vivienne Clarke review 11 Jul 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Reaching the ultimate destination StKilda in fine weather2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for some long hours at sea - and take sea sickness tablets , even in fine weather the North Atlantic swell is significant3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
This trip was a fantastic opportunity to observe birds and sea animals in pristine environments, no rubbish was left behind and a contribution was made to the local economy with purchases from the crew and passengers for each stop en route.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I rate this vacation as one of the best I’ve had. Everything worked to perfection. The crew were helpful, friendly and skilful. It was a very happy band of travelers who were privileged to visit a seldom visited, beautiful part of the world.Holiday Reviews
You can trust Responsible Travel reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the holidays. In addition, we don't run these holidays ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice.
