See what the waters of Inverness have to offer
2 different boats, 2 different experiences
We offer 2 very different types of boat trip.
View the dolphins of the Moray firth from our RIB Mischief, travelling at high speed, covering a lot of ground looking for wildlife in the water, on the land and in the sky. We spend two hours on the water doing our best to find the dolphins for you by covering as much water as possible and using our years of experience and local knowledge to head to the most likely spots. This is the trip to book for the best chance of seeing dolphins and other marine life.
Or alternatively, take the more gentle cruise on Dolphin Spirit learning about the local history and folklore whilst looking for wildlife with comfortable indoor seating and multiple viewing platforms. This cruise is suitable for people of all ages so is a great trip for the whole family (plus the dog) to enjoy together.
Dolphin Spirit Inverness is a trading identity of Firth Attractions Ltd.
Bottlenose Dolphins
An Introduction
The dolphins in the Moray Firth are common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). They live in groups of between 10 and 30 individuals. These groups are called “pods.”
You can find bottlenose dolphins in various locations around the Moray Firth area. We know all the most popular places for the dolphins to hunt, rest and play and will cover as much ground as possible in our search for them. These spots include the famous Chanonry narrows and Whiteness sands
Chanonry point is an area where the dolphins are particularly active. Or perhaps we just think that because their activity is so close to shore!
Speaking of luck, you should note that you’re not guaranteed to see any dolphins. Whilst we do our best to get you as close to the known activity as we can, they can sometimes be elusive. That said, there are plenty of species of wildlife in the Moray Firth, so even if you’re unlucky and don’t see any dolphins on your trip, there’s likely to be something else worthy of your attention!
Welcome to Inverness
An Introduction to The Moray Firth
The stretch of the Moray Firth where we sail is surrounded by places of historical and modern interest. This is a must-visit location if you’re planning to visit the north of Scotland!
To the west, you’ll find the Beauly Firth and the town of Beauly, near the historical home of the Clan Fraser. To the east, there’s Chanonry Point with its iconic lighthouse and views over to Fort George. This is still a working military base, with a history that takes it back to the aftermath of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion when it was built to prevent a repeat of the uprising. You can still visit the regimental museum and walk around the fort.
To the north, there’s the Black Isle and on the southern shores, you’ll find the city of Inverness, the local airport, and the championship standard golf course at Castle Stuart. In fact, when the Scottish Open tournaments were televised, the commentators were often moved to comment about the natural beauty of the area.
At Inverness, the firth is crossed by the imposing Kessock Bridge – a suspension bridge constructed in the 1980s. Of course, just a few miles away you’ll also find Loch Ness, but without wishing to dampen the enthusiasm of any Nessie hunters reading this, you stand a much better chance of spotting a dolphin in the Moray Firth…
The City Of Inverness
The capital of the Highlands, Inverness is the ideal base for your trip to the north of Scotland. From here you can travel: North to John O’Groats; South to Aviemore and Speyside; west along the line of the Caledonian Canal to Loch Ness, Fort Augustus and beyond to Fort William or east to the golf courses of Castle Stuart (which hosts the Scottish Open regularly) or Nairn (which has hosted the Walker Cup). At Nairn, you’ll discover magnificent beaches on the way out to lovely places such as Findhorn or Cawdor Castle.
The city itself is a tourist hotspot in the summer and a hive of activity throughout the year. You’ll find hotels and guest houses to suit every taste and budget, from quaint country house hotels to smart city-center apartments.
There’s a wide range of restaurants to choose from too. This part of Scotland is where you’ll find some of the best beef, lamb, and seafood in the world, and of course, you can visit Speyside distilleries in one direction and Highland distilleries in the other. Decide for yourself if there really is a difference between the products of each distilling region!
There’s walking, boating, climbing, off-road driving, mountaineering, skiing, sailing, cycling, wildlife, music, culture, theatre, art, … the list goes on and on. So there’s no excuse for not visiting! And of course, if you visit between April and October, there’s no excuse for not taking to the water and searching for some dolphins!