If you have ample time, one of the lesser-known Skye activities is a boat trip to Loch Coruisk in the southwest.
Misty Isle Boat Trips is a family-owned business that has been running tours from Elgol since 1969.
There are various tour options: one-way, mini (2 hours with 30 minutes on shore), and standard (90 minutes on shore).
While sea life is never guaranteed, the skippers will point out if they see any movement in the waters.
If you are lucky, you might experience dolphins, seals, whales, and many birds around this remote part of the island.
This is on my bucket list for my next visit.
Getting There & Parking
The trip leaves from the pier at Elgol, at the end of a long, scenic single-track road south from Broadford. There is parking near the pier, though it is limited, and the drive itself past the Cuillin is part of the experience.
Boats run seasonally and are weather-dependent, so book ahead and be ready for a change of plan if the sea is rough.
What to See
The boat crosses Loch Scavaig into the shadow of the Black Cuillin, usually pausing at a seal colony hauled out on the rocks. It lands near Loch Coruisk, a wild freshwater loch ringed by the island’s highest peaks and reachable otherwise only by a serious hike.
You get time ashore to walk to the loch and take in an amphitheatre of mountains that feels utterly remote. For many it is the single most memorable few hours on Skye.
Best Time & Tips
- Book in advance – trips are seasonal, popular and weather-dependent
- Bring warm, waterproof layers; it is cold and exposed on the water
- Wear boots for the short but rough walk to Loch Coruisk
- The drive to Elgol is long and single-track, so allow plenty of time
- Check the return time carefully so you do not miss the boat back
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Loch Coruisk?
The easiest way is a seasonal boat trip from Elgol across Loch Scavaig. Otherwise it takes a serious hike, as the loch sits deep among the Cuillin with no road access.
Do the Elgol boat trips run all year?
No. They are seasonal and weather-dependent, so book ahead and be prepared for cancellation or a change of plan if the sea is rough.
What will I see on the Loch Coruisk boat trip?
The crossing usually pauses at a seal colony, then lands near Loch Coruisk, a remote freshwater loch ringed by the Black Cuillin, with time ashore to walk to the water.
