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Whales, Dolphins and Seals in the Outer Hebrides

The pristine waters that surround the coastline of our islands – from the open water loving sharks, whales and dolphins that can be spotted on sea life tours around our shores, to the crustacean found during Western Isles dives amidst the underwater kelp forests surrounding our islands.

Whether your preference is for a peaceful stroll along one of our many white sand beaches, a bracing walk around our cliff tops or (for those looking for a little more excitement) a Scottish sea life spotting boat trip that gets you a little closer to the action, there are plenty of opportunities to spot marine life in the Western Isles.

Because of our position on the western margin of the European continental shelf, the coastal waters of the islands are influenced by the northerly flowing Gulf Stream. This oceanic current brings with it warm waters from the opposite side of the Atlantic that in turn encourage many spectacular marine species to visit our coastal zone at certain times of the year – making Outer Hebrides sea life watching an unforgettable experience.

Dolphin spotting in the Western Isles is a popular choice of pastime for wildlife enthusiasts, while Outer Hebrides whale watching cruises are a truly amazing way to spend a day in our islands.

Sea life fans staying on Lewis, Harris, North or South Uist, Eriskay, Berneray, Barra and Vatersay can take boat trips to spot marine mammals.

Dolphins in the Outer Hebrides include seasonal visitors such as the Common, Risso and Atlantic White-Sided Dolphin, while visitors can spot Harbour Porpoise and Bottle-Nosed dolphins in the Western Isles year-round. Outer Hebrides dolphin spotting also offers the possibility of seeing White-Beaked and Striped Dolphins.

In the Western Isles whales such as the Pilot Whale and Orca (year round) or Minke Whale (seasonal) are popular with Scottish Islands wildlife watchers, while spotting Basking Sharks in the Outer Hebrides can be done on a guided sea tour or by following the Hebridean Whale Trail, which gives the best best locations to spot whales.

A large percentage of the Scottish Common Seal and Grey Seal population makes its home in our islands, with the islands of the Outer Hebrides providing some of the best places to spot seals

The biodiversity of marine life below the waves can be just as dramatic as that found closer to the surface offering the potential for those with an interest in SCUBA diving and snorkelling in the Outer Hebrides to explore our rocky coasts and dense forests of Kelp.

During your Western Isles dive you may expect to see a variety of fish species that swim above a sea bed that is home to a startling array of Bryozoans, Tunicates, Echinoderms and other marine invertebrates that are accompanied by several species of Crabs, European Lobsters and shell fish that may be on the menu by the end of your day!

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Grey Seal - Ardivachar

Address

Ardivachar, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5RE

Isle of South Uist

Seals are often found "bottling" just off the rocks to the south and west.

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Basking Shark - Mangersta Head

Address

Mangersta, Uig, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 9EY

Isle of Lewis

One of the largest fish seen in the waters around the Outer Hebrides.

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Common Seal - Loch Fhionnsabhaigh

Address

Finsbay, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides

Isle of Harris

The Common Seal is the smaller of our two seal species and is often seen hauled up on rocky skerries at low tide.

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Common Seal - Acarsaid Mhor

Address

Acarsaid Mhor, Eriskay, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

Eriskay, Isle of South Uist

Common Seals can be found in small numbers and usually present themselves on the rocks.

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Grey Seal - Berneray Harbour

Address

Berneray Harbour, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides

Isle of North Uist

A large seal with a forehead and less spots than the Harbour Seal. Males can be up to 3.3 metres in length and females around 2 metres.

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Bottlenose Dolphin - Polochar

Address

Polochar, South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5TU

South Uist

Bottlenose dolphins can be seen in the Sound of Barra.

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Atlantic Salmon - Amhuinnsuidhe

Address

Amhuinnsuidhe, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides

Isle of Harris

Large migratory fish species closely related to Trout

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Common Seal - Rubha Ardvule

Address

Rubha Ardvule, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5SA

Isle of South Uist

You can usually find seals hauled out on the rocky promonatry looking south-west from the car park at the base of Ardvule.

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Basking Shark - Between Vatersay and Mingulay

Address

Vatersay, Isle of Barra, Outer Hebrides

Isle of Barra

The basking SHark (Cetorhinus Maximus) is one of the largest fish seen in the waters around the Outer Hebrides. .

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Grey Seal - Butt of Lewis

Address

Ness, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 0XH

Isle of Lewis

Large aquatic mammal. Strong Profile

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Basking Shark - Port of Ness

Address

Ness, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 0XA

Isle of Lewis

The largest shark seen in the waters around the Outer Hebrides.

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Common Porpoise-Loch Trolemaraig

Address

Rhenigidale, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS3 3BD

Isle of Harris

The Porpoise is our most common cetacean.

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Common Seal - Loch Eynort

Address

Loch Eynort, Lochboisdale, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

Isle of South Uist

The Common Seal are often hauled up on the rocks throughout the loch and are visible from the road.

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Common Seal - Berneray Harbour

Address

Berneray Harbour, Isle of North Uist, Outer Hebrides

Isle of North Uist

Common seals are brown, tan, or grey, with distinctive V-shaped nostrils.

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Common Seal - Kilpheder

Address

Kilpheder Beach, Kilpheder, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

Isle of South Uist

Common Seals can be found along the rocky areas inshore at low tide.

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Grey Seal - Sound of Harris

Address

Sound of Harris, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, HS6 5BQ

Isle of Harris

Larger of two British seal species.

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Grey Seal - Stornoway Harbour

Address

Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, HS2 0XR

Isle of Lewis

Large aquatic mammal. Strong Profile

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Bottlenosed Dolphin - Rubha Ardvule

Address

Ardvule, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5SA

Isle of South Uist

There are regular sightings of Bottlenose Dolphins to the south and west of the headland.

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