Northern Europe, British Isles
Isle of Mull and Small Isles Explorer (Gemini Explorer)
Enjoy an extraordinary voyage of seven nights exploring the Sound of Mull and the Small Isles. The Isle of Mull, inhabited since 6000 BC, is the quintessential island of the Inner Hebrides and rich in Scottish history. The outlying Small isles, Muck, Eigg, Rum and Canna, are justly famous for their sheltered anchorages, spectacular birdlife and ever-changing, island scenery. History, wildlife, spectacular islands and breathtaking mountains, this is a truly unforgettable Scottish cruise. Don't forget your hiking boots for stunning island walks!
• Visit Loch Aline
• Discover Canna, the Small Isles
• Travel to Rum, Loch Scresort, the Small Isles
• Discover Loch Spelve
Highlights
• Visit Loch Aline
• Discover Canna, the Small Isles
• Travel to Rum, Loch Scresort, the Small Isles
• Discover Loch Spelve
Some of the places we may visit are:
Oban: Your departure point will be Oban (Dunstaffnage Marina), the gateway to the Hebridean isles. After a short introduction to life on board our small ship we depart for our first destination.
Loch Aline: In the picturesque Loch Aline there are woodland walks and, at the head of the loch, is ancient Ardtornish estate and woodland gardens.
Loch Drumbuie: A squeeze between high sided cliffs and we are in a perfectly sheltered anchorage. A lovely location for going sea kayaking or for a swim.
Canna, the Small Isles: Canna is possibly the most beautiful of all the Small islands. Its 200 metre high cliffs of Compass Hill rise dramatically out of the sea and we have a good chance of seeing both sea and golden eagles. The anchorage on Canna is one of the best of the Small Isles and a stroll ashore to see the puffins and wild flower meadows of Sanday's Machair is a pure delight.
Muck, the Small Isles: The small island of Muck (Muck is Gaelic for 'Pig') is only a couple of miles long and a mile wide. Ashore there are wonderful coastal walks and many seabirds. On Horse Island, which is accessible at low water, there is a colony of puffins.
Eigg, the Small Isles: The "Sgurr of Eigg", an ancient, eroded volcanic plug that creates a dramatic cliff on the east side of the island and a high ridge which runs west. There are beautiful white-sand bays and a quartz beach that creates the famous "singing sands".
Rum, Loch Scresort, the Small Isles: Rum Island is a National Nature Reserve and famous for its herds of red deer and sheer sea cliffs which are home to nesting sea eagles. A visit to the Kinloch castle near the anchorage or a guided walk and talk with the ranger Trudi Clarke is definitely worthwhile.
Tobermory: One of the most picturesque towns in the Hebrides. If you wish, we can make time to visit the local distillery or visit eagles (Mull is the best place in the UK to see eagles).
Loch Spelve: A loch on the south side of Mull. To enter we have to negotiate the narrow entrance. The anchorage in this sheltered loch, which is surrounded by an ancient oak forest, gives us unparalleled views of the mountains of Mull. There are resident otters along its shoreline.
Please note that your voyage is weather dependent. Weather doesn't just mean good or bad weather. There are many considerations such as tidal gates, wind direction and strength, the strength and direction of currents, overfalls, and fetch. Depending upon the weather and nature’s conditions, wildlife viewing varies.
If you wish to visit a specific place or have a specific experience, such as sea eagle tours or whisky tasting, then please do let your skipper know and he will endeavour to meet your request.
| 16 September, 2021 to 23 September, 2021 | Book now |
Twin / Double Cabin
£1,855 GBP pp
Cabins are warm and comfortable with eight berths for our guests. In the aft part of the vessel, there is a twin cabin and a double cabin (with a 125 cm wide bed). These aft cabins share the bathroom with the two crew. All cabin linen and towels are supplied.
Twin / Double Cabin En-suite
£2,560 GBP pp
Cabins are warm and comfortable with eight berths for our guests. In the forward part of the vessel, there is a double en-suite, a twin en-suite and single en-suite. All en-suites and the shared bathroom have a washbasin, toilet, and shower. All cabin linen and towels are supplied.
Single Cabin En-suite
£2,560 GBP pp
Cabins are warm and comfortable with eight berths for our guests. In the forward part of the vessel, there is a double en-suite, a twin en-suite and single en-suite. All en-suites and the shared bathroom have a washbasin, toilet, and shower. All cabin linen and towels are supplied.
| 30 August, 2022 to 06 September, 2022 | Book now |
Twin / Double Cabin
£1,760 GBP pp
Cabins are warm and comfortable with eight berths for our guests. In the aft part of the vessel, there is a twin cabin and a double cabin (with a 125 cm wide bed). These aft cabins share the bathroom with the two crew. All cabin linen and towels are supplied.
Single Cabin En-suite
£2,600 GBP pp
Cabins are warm and comfortable with eight berths for our guests. In the forward part of the vessel, there is a double en-suite, a twin en-suite and single en-suite. All en-suites and the shared bathroom have a washbasin, toilet, and shower. All cabin linen and towels are supplied.
Twin / Double Cabin En-suite
£2,600 GBP pp
Cabins are warm and comfortable with eight berths for our guests. In the forward part of the vessel, there is a double en-suite, a twin en-suite and single en-suite. All en-suites and the shared bathroom have a washbasin, toilet, and shower. All cabin linen and towels are supplied.
| 23 September, 2022 to 30 September, 2022 | Book now |
Twin / Double Cabin
£1,320 GBP pp
Cabins are warm and comfortable with eight berths for our guests. In the aft part of the vessel, there is a twin cabin and a double cabin (with a 125 cm wide bed). These aft cabins share the bathroom with the two crew. All cabin linen and towels are supplied.
Single Cabin En-suite
£1,950 GBP pp
Cabins are warm and comfortable with eight berths for our guests. In the forward part of the vessel, there is a double en-suite, a twin en-suite and single en-suite. All en-suites and the shared bathroom have a washbasin, toilet, and shower. All cabin linen and towels are supplied.
Twin / Double Cabin En-suite
£1,950 GBP pp
Cabins are warm and comfortable with eight berths for our guests. In the forward part of the vessel, there is a double en-suite, a twin en-suite and single en-suite. All en-suites and the shared bathroom have a washbasin, toilet, and shower. All cabin linen and towels are supplied.
Gemini Explorer
Vessel Type: Small Ship
Length: 72 feet / 21.9 meters
Passenger Capacity: 8
Built / refurbished: 1974 / 2020
The new mini cruise ship is a historic, converted cruising lifeboat that once roamed the Western Approaches and was involved in the storm of the ill-fated 1979 Fastnet Race. Gemini Explorer was built in 1974 in Bideford Shipyard as the City of Bristol (70-003), one of three, Clyde class, cruising lifeboats with an extended offshore range of 1700 miles. She is powered by two powerful Gardner diesel engines and she will achieve speeds of up to twelve knots. The Gemini Explorer entered service at the Clovelly Lifeboat Station on the North Devonshire coast and, after saving 44 lives, was finally retired in 1989.
Since then, after extensive re-fits and modifications (including a new galley, high bulwarks, viewing top deck, en-suite accommodation and a well lit saloon), she has been converted to a mini cruise ship and today sails as the Gemini Explorer. However, there are parts of the insides of the vessel that have been kept in their original state to give an exciting insight in to role she once played as a cruising lifeboat.
As a mini cruise ship she has voyaged as far away as Greenland and, for the last 10 years, sailed as a charter vessel on the east coast of Scotland. In 2020 after a further refit and upgrade she will be sailing the beautiful islands and sea lochs of Scotland’s west coast as part of St Hilda Sea Adventures little fleet.
The deck saloon is where everyone dines and socialises and where everyone enjoys a convivial atmosphere that is encouraged by shipboard life aboard this ex-cruising lifeboat.
Cabins are warm and comfortable with eight berths for our guests. In the forward part of the vessel there is a double en-suite, a twin en-suite and single en-suite. In the aft part of the vessel there is a cabin which has a one double bed and two single berths. We are happy to offer this cabin to two guests only, without supplement. This aft cabin shares the bathroom with the two crew.
All en-suites and the bathroom have a washbasin, toilet and shower. All cabin linen and towels are supplied.
There is an upper viewing deck complete with teak benches and perfect for spotting wildlife and relaxing. You also have some deck space to embark your own equipment such as kayaks and paddleboards. You will also be able to use the onboard two person sea kayak.
Inclusions
Voyage on board in selected cabin category
All meals while on board
Fruit on board
Continental lager and house wine with pre-dinner aperitif and evening meal
Organised whisky tours
Cruises with wildlife guide
BYO is welcome
Exclusions
International and domestic flights
Passport and visa costs where applicable
Travel Insurance
Beverages purchased on board
Transfers
Small Ship Cruise
8 Days from
£1,320 GBP pp
Our Associates Include
