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Updated Health and Safety Procedures
In line with government guidance, face masks are no longer required in the building or on the boats. Both boats have outdoor seating areas and hand sanitiser is available at the entrance and on board the cruiser. Please message us any questions you might have.
If, in the days leading up to your trip, you test positive for Covid-19 please don’t turn up for your trip but inform the office and we can issue you with a refund.
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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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Mischief is a 2 hour trip, the Inverness Spirit cruise is a 1 hour and 15 minute trip and the Dolphin Spirit wildlife cruise is a 2 hour trip
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On Mischief we can take up to 12 passengers.
On Inverness Spirit we take 40 passengers so everyone has adequate viewing space but if you would like to charter the boat for a private trip we can take up to 92 passengers.
On the Dolphin Spirit wildlife cruise we can take up to 70 passengers.
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Mischief runs at 10:30 and 13:30 in April, May, June and October and at 9:30, 12:30 and 15:30 July, August and September.
Inverness Spirit runs at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 until the 30th June 2024 when she will be taken out of service
Dolphin Spirit wildlife cruise starting on the 1st July 2024 runs at 10:30 and 13:30 with an optional 16:00 sailing if there is enough demand
Evening charters in the summer can be booked by email or by calling the office.
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The season runs from the beginning of April to the end of October. All trips are weather permitting.
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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.
On Inverness Spirit you can enjoy the local scenery as you hear about the local history and folklore. This is not a dolphin watching trip. If any wildlife does pop up, your guide will point it out to you.
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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.
Inverness Spirit is fully accessible and can accommodate groups of all ages from the youngest babies and pregnant people to wheelchair users.
Dolphin Spirit will be suitable for all ages
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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.
On Inverness Spirit there is very little chance of seeing dolphins as the dolphin behaviour has changed and we no longer market this as a dolphin watching trip.
Please remember these are completely wild animals and we can never guarantee them at any point in the year.
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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 Inverness Spirit we head into the Beauly firth and then under the Kessock bridge and do a loop of the Inverness firth.
On Dolphin Spirit we head up to the Chanonry narrows, around Rosemarkie bay and then return via Munlochy bay
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Dogs are welcome aboard the Inverness Spirit and 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 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 Inverness Spirit and 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 are currently in the process of getting solar panels installed on the roof of the office.
We have received a bronze 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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Yes we can take wheel chairs on board the Inverness Spirit. There is ramp access to the Marina jetty and a boarding ramp suitable for wheelchair use.
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. 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 before the season starts. Please call the office so we can discuss options
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Dolphin Mischief is a 9-meter-long RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), with 12 seats.
Inverness Spirit is a 12m cabin cruiser with seating upstairs and down as well as an inside cabin.
Dolphin Spirit is a 15m catamaran with seating over two levels and an inside cabin for 70 passengers
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. There should be 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 Inverness Spirit or Dolphin Spirit trip so we can leave on the hour.
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Adverse weather may result in the cancellation or postponement of a trip. In this event, you will be offered a space on the next available trip (where possible) or a full refund.
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The marina office is equipped for all, and disabled toilets and baby changing facilities are available.
The Inverness Spirit and 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.
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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. 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, and porpoise. Seabirds like cormorants, terns, and guillemots are common sights. 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 and booking ahead is strongly recommended over the summer months as both boats are often fully booked.
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.
On Inverness Spirit and 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.
The Inverness Spirit is very stable in all kinds of weather conditions so it is unlikely. In strong winds, there may be a small amount of rocking, so in this case, those who feel sensitive to movement may wish to take seasickness tablets.
We have not had anyone ill on the Dolphin Spirit but she is still new to us so you may want to take precautions if you are susceptible to motion sickness