British Isles

From the chalk cliffs of England’s Dover to Scotland’s windswept Shetland Islands, there’s a wealth of nature, culture and history to be unearthed at every turn. Our expedition ships allow you to really explore the coastline and isles, dropping anchor at little-visited natural harbours and beaches, or pulling up alongside historic Welsh ports and Irish cities.

The British Isles are shared by several nations, each with their own intriguing differences in culture, customs, history, governance and even language. England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland collectively make up the United Kingdom, while the Republic of Ireland is a separate country on its own. Along with hundreds of smaller islands, such as the Isle of Man, they are often referred to as the British Isles.

With a cast of Romans, Vikings and Normans having inhabited the region, you’ll learn about the islands’ complex past as you explore age-old monasteries or walk among the ruins of age-old settlements. The legacy of the ancients remains too, and few places conjure a mystical sense of antiquity as powerfully as the stone circles, standing stones and other monuments erected by Neolithic cultures.

The seas and coasts around the British Isles are rich with wildlife, including everything from humpback whales and basking sharks to dolphins and seals. What’s more, islands including St. Kilda and the Treshnish Isles, are home to immense colonies of seabirds, including Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, Black-legged Kittiwakes and Northern Gannets.

Several varieties of dolphins inhabit the waters of the British Isles. Known to be naturally playful and inquisitive, dolphins seem to enjoy following in the wake of the ship, jumping acrobatically with the waves. Bottlenose, short-beaked, common and Risso's dolphins are all frequently spotted, as well as harbour porpoises. Pods of dolphins can be several hundred strong, with the common dolphin forming the largest groups.

One of the larger animals you’re likely to spot is the seal. There are two varieties of seal in the British Isles, the common seal and the grey seal. Common, or harbour, seals are the smaller, and you’re likely to see them – as the name suggests – around harbours or on beaches. Grey seals can be much bigger – up to 300kg – and will sometimes congregate in groups of several hundred.

To say that the British Isles are rich in seabird life would be an understatement. Aside from the iconic puffins and gulls, the coasts and islands of the British Isles are internationally important breeding grounds for many different types of seabirds. For example, 90 percent of the world’s Manx Shearwaters can be found here, along with 68 percent of Northern Gannets and 60 percent of Great Skuas.

Together with the Expedition Team or local guides, join walks to viewpoints and sites of interest, such as Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, and the fabulous Tresco Gardens on the Isles of Scilly. Wherever you go, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to enjoy the scenery on foot, and they’ll be sure to pick some of the most scenic spots for you to enjoy.

* Please note that some of these are optional activities at an additional cost

There are many fascinating villages, ports and cities around the British Isles to explore on foot. From the picturesque Viking-founded city of Waterford in Ireland to small fishing villages on the coast of Cornwall, there are many trails and nature walks within a short distance from wherever you touch dry land.

While we’re cruising the British Isles there’ll be an abundance of wildlife to look out for. St Kilda and the Treshnish Isles are home to colonies of thousands of seabirds, while otters, seals and shorebirds can be observed around the coasts. From the observation deck see if you can spot any of the 16 types of whale and dolphin that inhabit these waters.

Optional excursions offer special experiences that bring you closer to the places we visit. This could be a visit to one of the nine whisky distilleries on the isle of Islay, experiencing the world’s largest captive tropical rainforest at Cornwall’s Eden Project, or something else.

* Please note that some of these are optional activities at an additional cost

This included programme is designed for photographers of any ability, giving you tips that will help you better capture the spectacular photo opportunities around the British Isles. You may also have a chance to join a more intensive one to two-hour Photo Adventures session.

* Please note that some of these are optional activities at an additional cost

The microscopes and other high-tech equipment in our onboard Science Center allow for hands-on demonstrations and workshops, deepening your understanding of the places you visit. We also invite you to participate in Citizen Science projects, which in turn contribute to important research.

Onboard and ashore, members of our Expedition Team give in-depth lectures on a variety of topics to enhance your voyage. The subjects chosen are specific to your destination and will cover the unique history, culture and wildlife of the British Isles.