Hello,
I would really like to visit Staffa and Iona, but I keep seeing "weather and sea conditions permitting" phrases in tour descriptions. Have you done one of these tours, and if so, what is the boat ride like? I'm okay with a ferry, but I wonder if my stomach will like the smaller boat adventure.
Thank you!
Posted by
Duluth, MN🌲
11543 posts
I took a Staffa boat tour when I was staying on Mull and did not find the waters overly rough. Keep in mind that the "weather and sea conditions permitting" language is there for when the waters ARE rough. In that case, they usually will cancel the tour. That happened to me on another day.
If you are at all susceptible to motion sickness, though, you might want to avoid taking one of the RIB boats, as I think those can get a little bouncy on the water as they go much faster than the regular boats.
With regards to Iona, that is easy to get to—just take a 10-minute ferry from Fionnphort to Iona. I drove there from Tobermory, but I think they have buses that go there as well.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
10041 posts
Staffa is the one where you are in a smaller boat. It has been several years and I thought I heard that the landing on Staffa has been rebuilt since I was there. At my visit the boat pulled up to a small concrete landing and this was the part of the trip that was most impacted by weather as there were limits to what would make for a safe landing. I am unsure about the current landing situation.
Bonine is my go to for motion sickness. Take it before your journey. Don’t wait for symptoms.
Posted by
Lake District, England
11452 posts
Also note that all service buses on the Isle of Mull now only cost £2 per ride until this time next year under the Scottish Government fares cap.
Check ferry timings and bus connections very carefully until into April, as the timetable keeps changing due to a lack of suitable ships. For legal reasons not all normal bus and ferry connections can be maintained during this disruption.
The ferry re-timings may also affect the West Coast Tours in the short term, until the correct ships are back on the route- they may run earlier or later than normal.
Posted by
London
1248 posts
My experience, which was in July for reference:
-Oban to Craignure (Mull)- big ferry, very smooth
-Fionnphort (Mull) to Iona- smaller boat, but the crossing is so short you're there before you know it- as Mardee says it's about 10 mins
-Iona to Staffa- another smaller boat and a longer crossing- this one got a tiny bit bumpy but it was overall fine. If you feel you need to take seasickness medication this is the crossing I would time it around. Plus of course the return.
I hope this is helpful and hope you enjoy your trip!