Boat Trips at Dunvegan Castle, Skye | Everything You Need to Know
Seal spotting at Dunvegan Castle is one of the most popular wildlife experiences on the Isle of Skye - and for good reason.
These short boat trips take you out onto the calm waters of Loch Dunvegan, where a resident colony of seals lives year-round, with the added bonus of seeing Dunvegan Castle from its most dramatic angle.
If you’re deciding whether to add the boat trip to your Dunvegan visit, this guide explains exactly how it works, what you’ll see, and how to plan it properly.
Where do the seal spotting trips depart from?
Seal spotting boat trips depart from the castle jetty within the Dunvegan Castle grounds, accessed via a clearly signposted path that leads through the gardens down to the shoreline.
As the boat trips operate independently from touring the castle interiors, it’s best to plan the seal trip first on arrival rather than treating it as an afterthought. Securing your place early allows you to explore the castle and gardens at a more relaxed pace afterwards, particularly during the busy summer months.
Boat Trip Tickets
The jetty sits inside the estate; you’ll need to purchase a Dunvegan Castle entry ticket in order to access the boat trips. Boat tickets are then bought separately at the small ticket office beside the jetty and are not included with castle admission.
Tickets cost £14.00 for adults, £12.50 for students and seniors, and £10.50 for children.
What to expect on the boat trip
The trips last around 25 minutes and run several times throughout the day, weather permitting. You’ll head out onto the sea loch in traditional, wooden clinker boats designed to get close to the seals without disturbing them.
The seals are often seen lounging on rocks or swimming nearby, and are super curious!
It’s also common to spot sea eagles, herons, and other coastal birds, particularly on calmer days. The loch itself is usually sheltered, making this a relatively gentle boat trip compared to more exposed coastal excursions elsewhere on Skye.
One of the unexpected highlights is the view back towards Dunvegan Castle, which sits dramatically above the water. Seeing it from the loch offers a completely different sense of its scale and setting - and it’s a perspective you don’t get from the grounds alone.
When is the best time to go?
Seal spotting trips operate throughout the Dunvegan Castle season, typically from April to October, and seals can be seen year-round. Summer offers the most frequent sailings and the best chance of calm conditions, but it’s also when trips are busiest and most likely to sell out.
If you’re visiting during peak season, arriving early in the day significantly improves your chances of getting a place.
We visited in late September, and although it was a grey day, we had a fantastic trip out on the loch. The views were stunning, and we saw plenty of seals. We headed straight to the jetty at 10am, and there was only one other couple on our trip. By the time we returned, there was already a short queue for the next sailing.
Important things to know before you go
Boat trips are weather-dependent and may be cancelled in poor conditions.
Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis at the jetty.
No dogs allowed.
There are no toilets at the jetty itself.
Boats are open-topped, so dress for the weather.
The experience is gentle and suitable for most ages.
Is the Dunvegan seal spotting trip worth it?
If you enjoy wildlife, gentle boat trips, and seeing Skye from a different perspective, the seal spotting trip at Dunvegan is absolutely worth considering. It’s short, well-run, and offers a rare combination of close-up wildlife encounters and one of the best views of Dunvegan Castle on the island.
If you’re already visiting the castle, this is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to add something memorable to your day - just be sure to plan for it early.
