Stanton Banks Cruise

20 – 28 August 2025

In association with Hebridean Adventures. An eight-night expedition cruise, based on the live-aboard motor vessel Hjalmar Bjørge, with a maximum of ten passengers, embarking and disembarking in Oban.

The Stanton Banks are a Marine Protected Area lying about 23 nautical miles west of Tiree. A series of granitic ridges rising from 190 metres to within only 30 metres of the sea surface, they are rich in marine life and the associated upwellings are likely to attract a range of feeding cetaceans and migrant seabirds in this late summer period. To be honest, nobody has really looked very hard – and that’s why we’re excited to go and investigate. Most likely we will see minke whales, white-beaked and Risso’s dolphins, and we are hoping that humpback whale and fin whale might also be present. Seabirds are likely to include northern gannet, European storm-petrel, great skua, arctic skua, and sooty shearwater, while there is also a good chance of rarer visitors such as pomarine skua, great shearwater, and maybe even a Wilson’s storm-petrel or Sabine’s gull.

Along the way, we hope to visit the islands of Coll and Tiree, as well as Barra Head and Mingulay in the Western Isles. Exact itinerary is determined by local conditions and always at the discretion of the skipper.

Our ship is a converted Norwegian lifeboat, incredibly seaworthy and equipped with stabilisers and a water maker – perfectly suited to this sort of expedition. We will anchor somewhere sheltered each night, and there will be a few opportunities for walks ashore on some of the most beautiful Hebridean islands.

Chris will be sailing as your expedition leader, wildlife guide and photography mentor.

Group size: 10 persons max

Cost per person: £2880 per person, including seven nights full board, sharing a twin-berth cabin. (Single occupancy may be available for a supplement – please enquire).

Availability:  Fully booked

Further information
Email: info@hebrideanadventures.co.uk
Tel: 07871 463755