Sea Kayaking View Trip Dates West Coast Explorer Book Now

Trip Grade: Blue 4 West Coast Explorer

This holiday is a perfect choice to get a test of expedition-style sea kayaking. We are based at a bunkhouse in the West Highlands, but we also come prepared with all the equipment we need to go on overnight wild camping trips by sea kayak. This makes the itinerary very flexible, allowing a choice to camp for 1, 2 or even 3 nights over the course of this 5 night trip depending on the weather and sea conditions. On the west coast we are spoiled for choice of great kayaking spots - including Kintail, Plockton, Loch Hourn at Knoydart and the Isle of Skye.

Highlights • Discover fabulous sea kayaking on Scotland's west coast, exploring locations such as Plockton, Skye and Knoydart • Experience an overnight sea kayaking expedition, packing everything you need into your kayak and wild camping • Revel in the flexibility of an itinerary which combines some nights indoors and other nights camping wild - the best of both worlds!

Book with confidence • We guarantee this trip will run as soon as 2 people have booked • Maximum of 8 places available per departure, 1 guide per 4 clients.

PLEASE NOTE – The described itinerary is just one possible itinerary for this trip. On wilderness expeditions your guides will determine the best way to spend each day considering weather conditions and the desires and ability of the group. The itinerary may be subject to change at their discretion based on these factors. Planned Itinerary

Day 1 | The Sea Kayaking Holiday Begins Day 2 | Sea Kayak Touring and Coaching Days 3, 4, 5 | Sea Kayaking Overnight Expedition Day 6 | Final Paddle and Return to Inverness

Arrival Info

• Your Guide will meet you at the centre of Inverness Railway Station by the fixed seating area • 10.30am on Day 1 of your trip

Departure Info

• You will be returned to Inverness Railway Station • 4:00pm on the final day of your trip

PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors. Day 1 | The Sea Kayaking holiday begins

After meeting in Inverness this morning we travel to Kintail in the West Highlands. Here we settle in to our bunkhouse accommodation. Then, after lunch and an opening briefing, we head out for an afternoon sea kayaking at Loch Duich, where we can kayak past the iconic Eilean Donan Castle! Overnight at the bunkhouse. (L, D)

Day 2 | Sea Kayak touring and coaching

We head out for a day sea kayaking. There are so many places to choose from! Perhaps we'll paddle with the seals at Plockton, or maybe head across the Skye Bridge and explore the islands of Broadford Bay. As we kayak our guides will offer tips and advice to improve your sea kayaking skills. Return to the hostel late afternoon to plan our expedition! (B,L,D)

Days 3, 4, 5 | Sea Kayaking overnight expedition

Having checked the weather, sea state and tides the previous evening, we will set off on an overnight expedition, wild camping along the way. This allows us to explore some really wild locations. For example, we could venture to Knoydart and explore the wild coast of Loch Hourn, or possibly even go to Skye and explore some of its 400 miles of spectacular coastline. We will wild camp in remote locations, revelling in spectacular scenery. On Day 5, we return to the hostel late afternoon, enjoy a shower and then head out to a local pub for a slap up meal! (B, L, D)

Day 6 | Final paddle and return to Inverness

After breakfast, we enjoy a final morning paddle before packing up and returning to Inverness, arriving late afternoon. (B) Trip Grading | Blue 4 |

Our blue graded sea kayaking trips are suitable for fit paddlers with a minimum of 5 full days of sea kayaking experience, with a basic level of technical competence. You can expect 6/7 hours of sea kayaking each day, with plenty of breaks onshore to stretch your legs. Everyone will also be asked to assist with carrying the boats to and from the water, working as a team.

The kayaking will be in coastal waters with few open crossings but you can expect to be paddling in some choppier conditions during the trip. This may be around Sea State 3 (with waves up to 1m high). On the higher Blue grade trips you may be paddling in more exposed areas and encounter stronger winds and waves up to Sea State 4.

If you are unsure about your experience or about Sea States, please give us a call or email to discuss. If you do not yet have enough experience we suggest our Green graded sea kayaking trips.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are appropriately fit and capable of doing the described activities in the expected times. Please refer to the grading section on our website for more details. If you are unsure we encourage you to speak to us first. Accommodation and Meals

On this trip we have use of a bunkhouse for the duration of the trip that offers us a dry base. Accommodation is in dormitory style rooms and will be split into male and female rooms. For the bunkhouse you must bring a sleeping bag and towel. There are no single rooms available.

We will also bring along all the equipment needed for us to go an overnight camping trip by sea kayak, and we very much intend to do this given the opportunity. For the camping nights we provide single tents, unless you request a tent to share, plus we also bring a large tipi style tent so that we can all gather together for meals and a hot drink even if the weather is poor. For camping you will need sleeping bag and sleeping mat, which can be hired from us.

Meals will be prepared either at the hostel or while camping, except for the final night, when we'll go to a local pub for a celebratory meal. The guide will co- ordinate and undertake as much of the cooking as possible on the trip, but everyone is asked to help out with the preparation of meals and with washing up. Expedition life is all about teamwork!

Single Rooms/Tents

On this trip there are no single rooms available during the nights we are based at the bunkhouse where there is 1 dorm for males and 1 dorm for females. During the expedition phase we are happy to provide single tents for solo travellers, but if you are willing to share with another traveller this does help reduce our camp size, giving us more options of where to camp and reducing our impact on the ground. All Inclusive Inclusions

This trip includes the following:

• 5 nights accommodation, combining a bunkhouse and wild camping

• All meals, from lunch on Day 1 through to breakfast on Day 6. (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

• All transport throughout the trip, starting and finishing in Inverness

• All specialist sea kayaking equipment, including sea kayaks, spray decks, paddles, waterproof cags and buoyancy aids

• All group equipment including tents, group safety equipment and cooking /eating equipment and utensils. Please note that sleeping bags are not included. However, sleeping bags and sleeping mats are available for hire.

• The services of our experienced and knowledgeable sea kayak guides throughout your trip (guide:client ratio 1:4).

• Our All Inclusive trips include all accommodation, meals, guiding and travel during the trip. We do not include drinks or any gratuities you may choose to leave. Our holidays reviewed in your words…

This has been an amazing adventure and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Wilderness Scotland and their staff “ to anyone thinking about doing this activity. The overall experiences has been beyond my expectations. Thank you so much. Natalie Tandy ”

All Trip Reviews Here Your Guide

During this trip you will be accompanied and led by one of our professional guides. Our guides are among the most highly experienced and qualified in the country. Defined by their passion for Scotland’s wild places, they have an intimate knowledge of the natural and social history of this land which they will be delighted to share with you. For more info and to meet the team please see our Guide Pages.

Sustainable Travel

Wilderness Scotland is committed to the principles of ecotourism. We work very hard to ensure our engagements with local communities, wild lands and wildlife are positive.

We are a proud partner of the Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics, which enhances our commitment to responsible activity in Scotland’s wild lands, as enshrined in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC).

We are also proud to be a John Muir Trust Peak Partner. Thanks in part to the generosity of our clients though our Conservation Contribution scheme the John Muir Trust can rely on our investment to go towards conservation projects that have a deep connection to Wilderness Scotland and the areas we adventure in.

You can learn more about the work we’re doing with the John Muir Trust and the other ways we care for the wild places we love here. Equipment List

Check out our guide on what to wear when adventuring in Scotland. wildernessscotland.com/blog/what-to-wear-sea-kayaking-in-scotland

Eat | Stay | See

Looking for accommodation for before or after your adventure with us? Check out our list of where to stay and what to do

Eat | Stay | See | Inverness.pdf

General Info – Scotland

From food and drink to the Loch Ness Monster, our General Info for Scotland guide has got you covered for all your need to to know facts.

General-Info-Scotland.pdf Travel Insurance

It is your responsibility to take out appropriate travel insurance to cover you during your trip. This should include cover for cancellation prior to the trip, the activities undertaken (i.e hiking), curtailment, and adequate medical insurance for sickness/ injury and medical repatriation. We also strongly recommend you have cover for your other travel arrangements such as flights, and your personal possessions.

We suggest you do your own research to find the best insurance cover for you however the follow companies offer suitable policies.

Campbell Irvine Direct – campbellirvinedirect.com Journeyman Insurance Services – journeyman-services.com/travelInsurance

If you cancel your holiday charges will apply. Please see section 2 of our terms and conditions for a breakdown: wildernessscotland.com/make-a-booking/booking-conditions

Travel With Confidence

You can book with us in complete confidence that all trip payments made to us are fully protected.

Wilderness Scotland Ltd is a licensed and bonded tour operator. Your financial security is guaranteed through our membership and bonding with ABTA. FAQs

Looking for more information? Check out our frequently asked questions page. wildernessscotland.com/faq

Questions to Ask? Ready to Book?

If you want to get in touch please send us an email or give us a call. We accept bookings online, by email, or over the phone. A deposit of 25% is required at the time of booking to secure the trip with the balance payable 8 weeks (56 days) before departure. If booking less than 56 days before the trip start date, full payment of the trip price is required immediately.

We accept payment by credit or debit card, or bank transfer.

email: [email protected] View Trip Dates Tel (UK and Europe): +44(0)1479 420 020 Book Now Tel (US and Canada): 866-740-3890