Our Mull, Iona, and Coll sailing holiday is a gorgeous wander through the islands with so much choice in where to go. Our short time is not enough to explore anything but a little of the area, but this is a possible itinerary but the exact route and stops are entirely dependent on the wind and weather we find at the time. Here are some of the real highlights we can choose from. Some routes do not start and end in Oban and explore nearby areas so please check the Dates and Prices section closely. For these routes, the experience will be very similar to below just exploring adjacent areas.
The North of Mull
Departing from Oban, colourful Tobermory at the top of the Sound of Mull is often our first stop. Its colorful waterfront houses are an iconic sight in this part of the world. The whole bay is wonderfully picturesque and you can wander its cobbled streets and visit the famous Tobermory whisky distillery. On the northwest coast of Mull we can visit beautiful and remote anchorage of Croig Bay. You have a good chance to see otters and a short walk away is a beautiful white sandy beach.
Calgary Bay on the south-west coast has a beautiful white sandy beach, fringed with machair. Dramatic sea cliffs make this a favorite anchorage, with interesting walks to deserted villages.
Isle of Coll
The island to the west of Mull is Coll. Its most northerly point is called the Cairns of Coll and it is a real hot spot for basking sharks as well as many other cetaceans, otters and rare birdlife, including Manx shearwaters.On the south east of Coll is the lovely fishing village of Arinagour, with pleasant walks ashore to the church and the famous local pub. The rare corncrake is commonly seen and heard here.
The Treshnish Islands
This beautiful group of uninhabited islands is a haven for wildlife and provides habitat for several rare species with extensive bird colonies. The puffins on Lunga seem to have no fear of people thus providing great opportunities for keen photographers on their boat trips.
The Island of Staffa
Staffa’s most famous feature is Fingal’s Cave, a large sea cave that inspired Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture. Many birds nest on the island, and the surrounding waters attract numerous seabirds, grey seals, dolphins, basking sharks and Minke whales.
Gometra
This sheltered anchorage on this tiny island is a great spot for watching the sun set with a local whisky in hand. Many species of eagles and falcons are regularly seen here on shore walks.
Loch na Keal
With small islands at its mouth, the wooded slopes to the north and the stark Ben More to the south, Loch na Keal is a stunning landscape and sunsets here can be spectacular. This dramatic large sea loch provides excellent walking and wildlife spotting on its shoreline. This is also a superb place for white-tailed eagles and otters and the chance to see whales and dolphins.
The Island of Iona
Iona is the neighbouring island to Mull. From our anchorage in the Sound of Iona there is the opportunity to go ashore to Iona Abbey which is a very popular place of pilgrimage. A further potential anchorage is St Columba’s Bay, a magical coloured pebble beach fringed by machair and a delight to arrive by sea, just like St Columba himself! Iona is also home to the elusive corncrake.
David Balfours Bay
This horseshoe bay of white shell sand surrounded by cliffs of red granite provided inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson for his novel, Kidnapped.
Fidden Bay
This stretch of beach is peppered with small islets, turquoise seas, and white sandy coves. The lovely views to the west make it a great spot for sunsets
Ardanalish Bay
Famous for its fabulous stretch of sandy beach with views to Colonsay and Jura, Ardalanish is also celebrated for its floral machair and unique geology. Around the bay are several Bronze Age burial cists, the remains of an Iron Age fort and the ruins of old crofts and great views of the Ross of Mull peninsula.
Carsaig Arches
These dramatic natural arch cliff formations are not only a stunning coastline but also home to golden eagle, kestrel and raven, as well as feral goat.
Loch Buie
Go ashore at Loch Buie to visit historic Moy Castle the home of Clan MacLaine and the Lochbuie Stone Circle.
Loch Spelve
A wonderful sheltered anchorage fringed with ancient oak forest and a haven for otters with a good chance of spotting a white-tailed or golden eagle overhead. You could also go ashore to buy the freshest, tastiest mussels from Inverlussa Shellfish to serve up for dinner.
The difference between Rubicon 3 and a yacht charter
This is not a luxury yacht charter vacation on a private yacht but a proper sailing adventure. Sailing with Rubicon 3, unlike a leeward islands yacht charter company like Sunsail or Moorings, means you’ll have a far more authentic and in-depth experience.
- Tailored Experience: Unlike standard Caribbean yacht charters, the Rubicon 3 team works daily to tailor the experience to your interests and skill level. Whether you’re interested in learning advanced sailing techniques, exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations, or focusing on particular activities like snorkeling or fishing, we look to help you achieve it.
- Expert Knowledge: Yacht charter companies will send you off with minimal instruction. Rubicon 3 has extensive local knowledge and expertise. We can find hidden gems, secluded anchorages, and the best spots that might be off the radar of the charter companies. This insider knowledge significantly enhances the sailing adventure. Unlike other yacht charter destinations, the Grenadines allow you to explore islands much off the beaten track.
- Learning Opportunities: Sailing in the southern Caribbean with Rubicon 3, you don’t need any previous sailing experience. If you’re interested in learning about sailing, navigation, or seamanship, the expert Rubicon 3 instructors ensure a hands-on, educational experience. This is ideal if you see your sailing trip as a vacation and a learning opportunity.
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