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The boat leaves from Inverness Marina, which is located on Longman Drive. There are signposts just outside of the entrance for Dolphin Spirit Inverness and the marina itself. The postcode we use is IV1 1FF.
You’ll find a map here.
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Both boat trips are 2hrs on the water but please arrive 30mins early for Mischief and 15mins early for Spirit
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On Mischief we can take up to 12 passengers.
On the Dolphin Spirit wildlife cruise we can take up to 69 passengers.
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Mischief runs at 10:00 and 13:00 in April, May, June, September and October with an optional 16:00 if there is enough interest and at 9:30, 12:30 and 15:30 July and August.
Dolphin Spirit wildlife cruise runs throughout the season at 10:30 and 13:30 with an optional 16:00 sailing if there is enough interest
Evening charters in the summer can be booked by email or by calling the office.
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The season runs from mid-March to the end of October. All trips are weather permitting. In 2026, for the first time ever, we are planning on running some wildlife cruises over February half term!
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On Mischief and Dolphin Spirit we will head out and look for dolphins, porpoise, seals, otters, sea birds and anything else the ocean has to offer.
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On Mischief we have a minimum age of 10 though you are welcome to call the office to discuss individual needs.
Dolphin Spirit is suitable for all ages but is not yet fully wheelchair accessible.
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On Mischief and Dolphin Spirit you have a good chance of seeing dolphins, especially over the peak summer months of the salmon run though this drops off as we get towards autumn.
We keep in contact with watchers on the shore and know their favourite hangout spots but please remember these are completely wild animals and we can never guarantee seeing them at any point in the year or on any boat.
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On Mischief we head up through the Chanonry narrows (a popular land based dolphin watching site) and then out towards the Cromarty sutors and Nairn and back. This is never a set route so that if we spot wildlife we adapt and change the plan.
On Dolphin Spirit we head up to the Chanonry narrows, around Rosemarkie bay and then usually return via Munlochy bay.
The route taken is always at the discretion of the skipper.
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Dogs are welcome aboard the Dolphin Spirit
On Mischief we can’t take any dogs but we are happy to look after well behaved dogs at the marina whilst you are out on the water. Please give us notice when you make your booking if your dog will be staying ashore with us.
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On Mischief your skipper will inform you about the wildlife you are looking at and about a few of the landmarks you pass by.
On Dolphin Spirit you have a guide on board who will provide information and answer any questions you have whilst you are onboard. There is also an pre-recorded commentary highlighting local landmarks and folklore
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The heart of our operation is displaying our wildlife and educating guests on the best ways to help protect the species they are watching so that we can spread the word on the importance of protecting our seas.
We make sure our engines are well maintained and updated to be as fuel efficient as possible.
Litter we see drifting out at sea we pick up and dispose of properly back on the shore if it is safe to do so.
We work with conservation charities to protect, monitor and rescue the local wildlife.
Our office heating comes from a thermal pump powered by the water in the marina and we have solar panels installed on the roof of the office.
We have received an award from the Green Tourism Board and in 2022 we were finalists in the ‘Excellence In Sustainable Development’ category at the Highland Business Women awards.
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There is step free access to the marina office and throughout the building.
We can’t take wheelchairs on Mischief but you can take them up to the boarding point and we will help you onboard and to your seat if you have some mobility of your own to get to your seat. We will then have your wheelchair brought back to the boat upon your return.
We are currently working on Dolphin Spirit to see what wheelchair access we may be able to build into her in the future but at the moment she is not accessible for people who need their wheelchair at all times. Please call the office so we can discuss options for you.
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Dolphin Mischief is a 9-meter-long RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), with 12 seats.
Dolphin Spirit is a 15m catamaran with seating over two levels and an inside cabin.
Please see ‘Our Boats’ page on the website for more details
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There is free parking available just outside of the marina office where there is plenty of space for all kinds of vehicles. We don’t currently have electric charging stations but there is one 5 minutes down the road at Tesco
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Please arrive 30 minutes before your Mischief trip so you can put on your weatherproof gear, life jackets and have a safety briefing.
Please arrive 15 minutes before your Dolphin Spirit trip so we can board and leave on time.
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Adverse weather such as high winds may result in the cancellation or postponement of a trip if the skipper thinks it won’t be safe. In this event, you will be offered a space on the next available trip (where possible) or a full refund.
The final decision is always down to the skipper.
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The marina office is equipped for all, and disabled toilets and baby changing facilities are available.
The Dolphin Spirit also has a toilet on board, but these are not disabled-friendly.
We have no toilets on Mischief.
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You are welcome to bring cameras on board, but you do so at your own risk. It is recommended that you bring waterproof coverings for any equipment you bring in the event of adverse weather or spray. Please ask for permission if you would like to take photos of the staff and crew.
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There is no real “best time.” The dolphins are resident to the Moray Firth and can be seen all year round. However, the peak season for dolphin activity is between May and August, during the summer salmon run. Some people also swear by a rising tide, which is said to increase your chances. If you wish to make an enquiry about the tides before you book, you can call the office who will advise you on the best times regarding the tides or you can check the Inverness tides by following this link. Tidal Info | Port of Inverness
Despite all of this we can never 100% guarantee sightings.
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The Moray Firth is home to a wonderful array of wildlife including seals, otters, porpoise and at certain times of the year, basking sharks . Seabirds like cormorants, terns, guillemots and gannets are common sightings. Shorebirds like herons, curlews, and oystercatchers can also be seen at various points throughout the year. Birds of prey including red kites and osprey are also in the area.
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We always recommend booking ahead for Mischief as there are only 12 seats on the boat. It is a good idea to book ahead on Dolphin Spirit in the summer months as it is often sold out during school holidays and in nice weather.
If you have any additional needs you would like to make us aware of please at this in the comments section of the booking form.
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On Mischief we recommend bring a couple of warm layers as even in the summer the speed at which we travel can make it quite cold. In spring and autumn we also recommend hats and gloves. If the weather forecast is for wind or rain, please bring along a spare set of clothes to change into after your trip as you may get wet.
On Dolphin Spirit we have an inside cabin that you can shelter in in the event of cold weather or rain but if you want to stay out on deck we recommend checking the weather forecast and dressing appropriately.
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On Mischief, the nature of the speed boat means very few people feel ill as you cut through the waves rather than rolling over every one.
We recommend you take preventative measures if you are sailing on Dolphin Spirit and are worried about seasickness such as tablets or the motion wristbands