Trip created by Paul Easto
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Region: North West Highlands
Trip Type: Sea Kayaking
Accommodation: Wilderness Camping
Max Group Size: 8
Confirmed: When 2 Travellers Book
Deposit From: £241.25 £241.25

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Sea kayaking in the Summer Isles is perhaps sea kayaking in Scotland at its finest as we explore the many islands that dot this beautiful coastline.

The Summer Isles are some of the most scenic islands with stunning isolated sandy beaches and our guided sea kayaking expedition is an inspiring journey through a stunning seascape.

Journeying by sea kayak we are able to experience this remarkable coastal environment up close – picking our way through the numerous channels and inlets between the islands. This area is known for its rich marine life, with dolphins, porpoises, seals and even whales inhabiting these waters. In the sky, there are many varieties of seabirds and golden eagles can sometimes be seen as well. We’ll be able to explore the islands on foot, allowing you to get to know them from land and sea. This is the perfect trip for someone with some previous kayaking experience looking to enjoy a longer expedition in one of the best areas in the world for sea kayaking.

Trip Highlights

Explore this archipelago of deserted islands, wild coastlines, rock arches and white-sand beaches.
Paddle in the crystal clear waters, enjoying the spectacular views of the coastal mountains.
Camp in beautiful, remote spots with spectacular views of the surrounding island and coastlines.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – North to the Summer Isles

From Inverness, we travel north-west to the Summer Isles passing Ullapool and the beautiful Coigach and Assynt mountains. Late afternoon sees us launch the sea kayaks and enjoy a short paddle in sheltered waters to our first campsite, a small island located just offshore. Dolphins and whales are often spotted in these waters so we’ll keep our eyes open as we set up camp on the white sandy beach. (L, D)

Route details: Distance 2km, 1hr

Day 2 – Exploring Achiltibuie’s coastline

Heading south, we sweep around the coastline, passing small sea-cliffs on our way to Badentarbat Bay. After lunch on the grassy bay, we round a point then cross to Horse Island to camp. History records that Spanish treasure is hidden on this island. According to local legend, 100 years ago a shepherd fell into a hole on the island and when he returned home, he found a gold coin in his shoe. Along with friends he returned to the island but could not remember where he had fallen – so the gold remains to this day! (B, L, D)

Route details: Distance 12km, 6hrs

Day 3 – Circumnavigating the isle of Tanera Mor

A 2km crossing takes us to Tanera Mor. This is the largest of the Summer Isles and the only inhabited island. It used to be a major fishing port, where up to 200 vessels would jostle for room in the main bay, known as ‘the Anchorage’. We will paddle around the island and then find a quiet bay on a neighbouring island where we will camp for the next couple of nights. (B, L, D)

Route details: Distance 12km, 6hrs

Day 4 – The hidden shores of the Summer Isles

We leave our camp in the bay paddle north to Eilean Flada Mor and its outlying skerries, admiring the spectacular sandstone architecture of these islands. We pass a seal colony before, if the conditions are suitable, crossing to Eilean a Char then paddling down Tanera Beag’s western shore to a small bay on its southern tip. Here we pull the kayaks ashore and enjoy a leg-stretching walk on this uninhabited island. On the return to our camp, we pass a fragile sandstone arch which it is possible to paddle under at high tide. (B, L, D)

Route details: Distance 12km, 6hrs

Day 5 – North to Reiff and the Rubha Coigeach

We strike camp and paddle northwards, admiring the stunning views of the Assynt peaks to the east which cut into the skyline and dominate the panorama. Leaving the main cluster of islands, we follow the channel between the wildlife reserve of Isle Ristol and Eilean Mullagrach as we journey towards our northernmost point, a tiny landing spot at Faochag Bay. This is our camp for the night, a wild spot at the very tip of the peninsula with stunning views all around. (B, L, D)

Route details: Distance 14km, 7hrs

Day 6 – The climbers of Reiff and journey’s end

Turning back southwards, we enjoy a leisurely paddle back to our starting point. As we pass the sea-cliffs to the north of Reiff, we will pause to watch the rock-climbers scale the sandstone cracks and overhangs. They often pause and gaze back at us! Finally, we cruise into the natural harbour for the end of a memorable journey. There’s often time for a quick drink at the local bar before we return to Inverness. (B, L)

Route Details: Distance 8km, 4hrs

Download Itinerary

Sea Kayaking

The Summer Isles

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Trip Dates & Prices

Trip Dates for 2023	Availability	Status	Price	Book
14th Jul - 19th Jul 2023	1 place left	CONFIRMED	£965	Book Now

Trip Details

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Accommodation Read More

On this trip, we wild camp near the shore in spectacular coastal locations. These camps may be remote and difficult to access by foot and this element of isolation adds to their appeal. We provide single tents unless you are travelling with a partner or in a group and would like a tent to share. We also carry a base camp tipi, which means that we can all gather together for dinner and a hot drink even if the weather is inclement.

Single Tents

On this trip, we are happy to provide single tents for solo travellers, but if you are willing to share with another traveller this does help reduce our camp size, giving us more options of where to camp and reducing our impact on the ground.

Meals Read More: All meals are included on this trip.
Great food is essential to all our trips and expeditions are no different. While the guide will coordinate the cooking and help out, everyone is asked to lend a hand as this ensures the best meals in the shortest possible time after what are often long days. We will carry plenty of food to cater a varied and satisfying menu throughout the trip, and some of these may even be prepared on an open fire. Dietary requirements can still be catered for but please ensure we know at the time of booking.

Inclusions Read More

All meals, from lunch on Day 1 through to lunch on the day of departure. (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
The services of an experienced and knowledgeable sea-kayak guide / driver throughout your trip. On trips with more than 4 clients, a qualified assistant guide will also be with the group throughout the trip.
All specialist sea kayaking equipment, including sea kayaks, waterproof cags and buoyancy aids.
All group equipment including tents, group safety equipment and cooking /eating equipment and utensils. Please note that sleeping bags are not included. However, sleeping bags and sleeping mats are available for hire.
All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Inverness.

Trip Grading Read More

Blue Graded 4-6

Our blue graded sea kayaking trips are suitable for fit paddlers with a minimum of 5 full days of sea kayaking experience and a basic level of technical competence. You can expect 6/7 hours of sea kayaking each day, with plenty of breaks onshore to stretch your legs. You will also be asked to assist with carrying the boats to and from the water, working as a team.

The kayaking will be in coastal waters with few open crossings, but you can expect to be paddling in some choppier conditions during the trip. This may be in winds of Force 3 (up to 18km/h). On the higher Blue grade trips, you may be paddling in more exposed areas and encounter stronger winds up to Force 4 (up to 30km/h) and breaking waves.

If you are unsure about your experience or about Sea States, please give us a call or email to discuss. If you do not yet have enough experience we suggest our Green graded sea kayaking trips.

If bad weather prevents us from kayaking, your guide will offer an alternative activity, such as a hike.

Travel – Arrival and Departure Read More

You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide in the centre of Inverness Railway Station at 10:30am on Day 1 of your trip. You will be returned to Inverness Station for 4:00pm on the final day of the trip.

For advice on getting to and from Scotland please our travel advice page on our website: www.wildernessscotland.com/faq/travel-to-scotland

If you would like to use your own vehicle on the trip please get in touch with our team to discuss.

Make This Trip Private

Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your prefered departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

Speak to an Expert

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Chris Page

Our friendly office team hail from across the world but share a passion for the outdoor and wild spaces of Scotland. We are committed to providing you with the best customer service and are more than happy to chat through options and provide help and advice. Get in touch to find your perfect adventure.

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Meet Your Guide

David Simpson
14th Jul - 19th Jul 2023

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Difficulty Grades Explained

Blue Graded Sea Kayaking Holidays 4-6

Our blue graded sea kayaking trips are suitable for fit paddlers with a minimum of 5 full days of sea kayaking experience, with a basic level of technical competence. You can expect 6/7 hours of sea kayaking each day, with plenty of breaks onshore to stretch your legs. You will also be asked to assist with carrying the boats to and from the water, working as a team.

The kayaking will be in coastal waters with few open crossings but you can expect to be paddling in some choppier conditions during the trip. This may be around Sea State 3 (with waves up to 1m high). On the higher Blue grade trips you may be paddling in more exposed areas and encounter stronger winds and waves up to Sea State 4.

If you are unsure about your experience or about Sea States, please give us a call or email to discuss. If you do not yet have enough experience we suggest our Green graded sea kayaking trips.

In the event of bad weather preventing us from kayaking your guide will offer an alternative activity such as a hike.

Compare sea kayaking grades

Trip Reviews

Rated 4.68 out of 5 based on 84 reviews of Sea Kayaking – The Summer Isles

Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

Mark Willsher

Reviewed on 29/08/2022

Age: 50 - 60
Country: United Kingdom
Trip Date: 20/08/2022
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

Sigrid Anderson-Kwun

Reviewed on 28/08/2022

Age: 50 - 60
Country: United States
Trip Date: 20/08/2022
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

The kayaking was great and the scenery was beautiful. Five nights wild camping in wind and rain is not for everyone though!

Anne Schroeder

Reviewed on 28/08/2022

Age: 50 - 60
Country: Germany
Trip Date: 20/08/2022
Trips Taken: 5

The Bottom Line

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Wilderness England

The Summer Isles

Travel Planning & Advice

Trip Highlights

Did you know?

This trip can be booked as a private departure

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – North to the Summer Isles

Day 2 – Exploring Achiltibuie’s coastline

Day 3 – Circumnavigating the isle of Tanera Mor

Day 4 – The hidden shores of the Summer Isles

Day 5 – North to Reiff and the Rubha Coigeach

Day 6 – The climbers of Reiff and journey’s end

Trip Dates & Prices

Trip Details

Single Tents

Blue Graded 4-6

Photo Gallery

Make This Trip Private

Speak to an Expert

Chris Page

Meet Your Guide

Difficulty Grades Explained

Blue Graded Sea Kayaking Holidays 4-6

Trip Reviews

Your Guide

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

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