Kirkwall Harbour, Orkney

See Orkney from the water

Join skipper Jamie aboard the Scapa Protector for wildlife boat tours through some of Scotland's most extraordinary waters. Seals, dolphins, puffins — and if you're lucky, orcas.

Call to Book See the Wildlife
£69
From / Person
1.5 hrs
Per Trip
3 max
Passengers
Fully Insured & Coded Vessel
Qualified Skipper
Year-Round Departures
Dogs Welcome
5-Star Reviews
Wildlife Around Orkney

You never know what
you might see

Depending on the time of year, here are some of the creatures you can expect to encounter. With an estimated 15% of the world's seal population living on these shores, sightings are virtually guaranteed.

Pod of orcas surfacing in Orkney waters
Orcas — a rare but unforgettable sight
Pair of puffins on coastal rocks in Orkney
Atlantic Puffins
Harbour seal portrait in Orkney waters
Harbour Seal
Northern gannet in flight over Orkney sea
Northern Gannet
Dolphins jumping from waves near Orkney
Dolphins
Puffin colony on clifftop overlooking Orkney islands
Puffin Colony
Dolphins swimming in calm blue Orkney waters
"It was like being out with a mate. The tour is small and intimate which made it a really memorable event."
— West Midlands Visitor, May 2025
Your Skipper

A truly personal experience

With just 3 passengers per trip aboard the Scapa Protector, every voyage is intimate, personal, and unforgettable.

Heron by Orkney waters — wildlife spotted on tours
On the water
01

Local expertise

Jamie knows every cove, seal colony, and bird nesting site around Orkney. His vast knowledge of the area makes every trip educational and exciting.

02

Quality optics provided

10x50 binoculars on board for spotting wildlife at a distance. No need to bring your own gear.

03

Have a go at steering

Passengers often get the chance to take the helm on the way back to harbour — a real thrill.

04

Dogs welcome aboard

Your four-legged friends can join the adventure too. Even dogs enjoy the trip.

Our Services

More than wildlife tours

From intimate wildlife encounters to commercial operations, the Scapa Protector is ready.

01

Wildlife Tours

Spot grey and harbour seals, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and Arctic terns. Trips depart from Kirkwall Harbour every two hours during summer, offering approximately 1.5 hours of exploration on the water.

From £69 per person
02

Commercial Hire

Bespoke boat hire from safety stand-by vessel and fast rescue to inshore film crew support vessel. Full set up for MOB rescue. On call 24 hours a day for emergencies.

Contact for pricing
03

ROV Services

Underwater remotely operated vehicle services for surveys, inspections, and marine research around the Orkney islands.

Contact for pricing
Guest Reviews

What our guests say

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

An amazing experience, unmissable! Jamie is very knowledgeable of the islands and the wildlife around Orkney. Saw loads of Grey and Harbour seals. Loads of sea birds. I even drove the boat, Jamie is a very brave man.

TripAdvisor Reviewer · April 2025
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A real must do! Had a great day on the water with Jamie. The tour is small and intimate which made it a really memorable event. It was like being out with a mate! Even our dog enjoyed the trip.

West Midlands Visitor · May 2025
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A brilliant boat trip! Jamie has vast knowledge of the area. We saw plenty of seals and birdlife, including a close up aerial display by Arctic terns. We thoroughly recommend you take this tour.

Leonard Martin · May 2025
The Scapa Protector — Orkney Boat Charter vessel at Kirkwall
Book Your Trip

Ready for an
adventure?

Trips run year-round from Kirkwall Harbour, weather permitting. To book or get more info, call Jamie directly or send a message via WhatsApp.

☎ +44 (0)7908 483468 ✉ WhatsApp Jamie

All trips are subject to weather conditions and may be rescheduled for safety reasons. The Scapa Protector is coded for 3 passengers and fully insured.

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