We are surrounded by the most beautiful water : lochs, rivers and sea.
Exploring these environments is a wonderful holiday experience and we have excellent local companies to help you enjoy these to the full.
Our waters are renowned for seeing seals, otter, porpoise, minke whales, dolphins, basking sharks, and even the occasional . Bird watching highlights include sea eagles, golden eagles, puffins, gannets and a great variety of seabirds.
The Firth of Lorn Special Area of Conservation / Marine Protected Area is one of the few sites in Scotland to have enjoyed a high level of long term protection.
From the piers at Oban you can take short couple of hour trips around behind the Isle of Kerrera passing castles, islands, watch the seals, spot eagles, deer, and even see whales or dolphins.
These tours run throughout the summer, taking a just couple of hours morning or afternoon.
Oban Sea Tours : Allans Boat Trips :
To visit the incredible Corryvreckan tidal whirlpool there are several great local choices : one is SeaFari Adventures who run out of Ellenabeich, Isle of Seil .. their fast ribs are quite the experience, and they also have great knowledge of the local wildlife that you can see in the water and on the remote shores.
Sealife Adventures are also based in Seil, sailing from the pontoons and are another great choice to get close to the dolphins, seals, seabirds and shore wildlife and the whirlpool on the 3,4,5 hour excursions.
For a really immersive experience Basking Shark Scotland take you UNDERWATER to really get up close and personal with our marine environment and species : stunning photography opportunities - you can learn to snorkel and improve your techniques, you get to learn about the seagrass environments, explore the lagoons and encounter basking shark and whales.
For more gentle local explorations, you can hire boats from TFC boats to take yourselves around Loch Etive from Airds Bay, by Taynuilt .. small boats ideal for fishing and just putting about. Doug Bannatyne has decades of experience on the loch to share.
For self powered adventures you can bring your own kayaks, paddleboards, canoes - there is plenty of space on the grass beside the carpark to keep them, and happy to provide hose for washing kit down. There is an airer close by for kit to hang. Also welcome to use the polytunnel by the house to dry things.
Our waters are just some of the best to enjoy .. into the lochs, around the islands, along the shores, a different experience every day, and when you are self powered you can be on the water all year around. 
