British Isles Cruises

Geography

The British Isles comprise over 6,000 islands, of which 136 are permanently inhabited, with a combined landmass of 315,159 km² (approximately 122,000 sq mi) in the North Atlantic. The archipelago includes Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Shetland Islands, and the Isles of Scilly. Around 72 million people live across the archipelago, although the vast majority of its islands are uninhabited. The North Atlantic Drift helps moderate the climate, while expedition voyages typically operate during the milder months from May through September.

Climate

The British Isles have a mild climate with few extremes, averaging around 20°C (68°F) in summer. Rainfall is abundant, driven by the North Atlantic Drift. Puffins nest from April to August across Shetland, Orkney, and the Hebrides, making May and June ideal for seabird encounters.

Early History

Paleolithic tools suggest the first inhabitants reached the British Isles some 750,000 years ago; modern humans arrived around 30,000 years ago, per skeletal remains found in Wales (the Red Lady of Paviland). Neolithic sites are widespread, including stone houses and circles on the Orkney Islands. The Heart of Neolithic Orkney — Skara Brae (3,100 BCE), the Ring of Brodgar, and Maeshowe — is a UNESCO World Heritage Site predating Stonehenge. Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Celts, and later the Vikings, who arrived around 790 AD, all shaped the region's history.

Tresco, Scilly Isles (England)

This family-owned island, 28 miles off the Cornish coast, offers secluded beaches and rich wildlife. Discover Bronze Age burial sites, 17th-century castle ruins, and the Tresco Abbey Garden's 20,000 exotic plants, or visit the Valhalla Museum's collection of shipwreck figureheads. Grey seals and common dolphins are regular sights around the Isles of Scilly, with basking sharks occasionally in summer.

Dunmore East (Ireland)

Stroll this fishing village on Ireland's southeastern coast. Tour the House of Waterford Crystal to see its crafts, or visit Mount Congreve's botanical gardens and woodlands.

Saltee Islands (Ireland)

A birder's paradise — see gannets, gulls, puffins, and manx shearwaters.

Llandudno (Wales)

Explore northern Wales and Snowdonia National Park, with waterfalls, mountains, and lakes home to otters, wild ponies, dotterels, and peregrine falcons. Visit Betws-y-Coed, Gwydyr Forest, and the 13th-century Conwy Castle.

Portrush and Rathlin Island (Northern Ireland)

Visit the Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with roughly 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns formed by volcanic activity 60 million years ago — one of the British Isles' most iconic landmarks. Look for fulmars, petrels, cormorants, redshanks, guillemots, puffins, and razorbills.

Inner Hebrides (Scotland)

Explore Staffa, an uninhabited volcanic island with hexagonal basalt pillars and Fingal's Cave. Off Mull, visit Iona and its Iona Abbey, founded in 563 AD — an early Christian site and resting place of numerous medieval kings.

Outer Hebrides (Scotland)

These isolated, rugged islands feature ancient stone buildings amid dramatic landscapes, home to abundant seabirds, two ancient sheep species, and 130 species of flowers — a photographer's paradise.

Kirkwall, Orkney Islands (Scotland)

Explore the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae and the Neolithic Ring of Brodgar. Visit Kirkwall's 12th-century St. Magnus Cathedral, and the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site among Europe's most significant prehistoric sites. Spot orcas and breeding Atlantic puffin colonies.

Shetland Islands (Scotland)

Fair Isle's rugged, isolated coastline is famed among birders for its rare species, with wildflowers in bloom on May cruises. Hermaness National Nature Reserve, at the Shetlands' northern tip, hosts one of Europe's largest Atlantic puffin colonies.

Isle of May and Bass Rock (Scotland)

Spot grey seals, puffins, and other seabirds along the shores. Bass Rock, visible sailing into the Firth of Forth, holds the world's largest northern gannet colony at roughly 150,000 birds. Visit St. Ardin's Chapel, the lighthouse, and the Low and Light Cottages.

The best time for a British Isles cruise is early summer, with mild temperatures around 20°C (68°F). Winters are windy, rainy, and cold, with the north colder than the south, and annual rainfall of 800–1,400 mm (31–55 inches). Summer is also prime for birdwatching: Atlantic puffins nest on Shetland and Orkney from late April through August, grey seals haul out along Scottish shores, and golden eagles soar over the Scottish Highlands near Fort William and the Inner Hebrides — with landscapes in full bloom.

1. The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwestern coast of continental Europe and encompass England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland.
2. The largest lake in the British Isles, Lough Neagh, is located in Northern Ireland.
3. Native languages spoken in the British Isles apart from English are Cornish, Gaelic, and Shelta.
4. The highest peak is Ben Nevis in Scotland (in the Scottish Highlands).
5. The Orkney Islands consist of more than 70 islands, and only 20 of them are inhabited.
6. Iona Abbey is regarded as the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland.
7. The British Isles contain 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom and two in Ireland, including Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland and the Heart of Neolithic Orkney in Scotland.
8. Bass Rock, in the Firth of Forth, hosts the world’s largest northern gannet colony with approximately 150,000 birds.
9. The Gulf Stream keeps the British Isles unusually temperate for their latitude, and the best season for expedition cruising is May through September.

On all of our British Isles cruises there is free Wi-Fi aboard, which is included in the cost of the cruise.

Like with all our trips to Northern Europe, we recommend you bring water- and wind-proof outerwear in case of rain and wind during excursions, as well as lighter summer wear for warmer days. Don’t forget sunglasses and sun hats.

You’ll get our signature Poseidon Expeditions windbreaker jacket, which is yours to keep. We also provide rubber boots throughout the duration of our luxury cruises for landings.

We allow 2 pieces of luggage per person (standard size). We also provide onboard laundry service.

You will need an emergency evacuation insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 per traveler for your expedition. We also highly recommend cancellation insurance.

We cruise during the early summer season when temperatures are fairly mild. Expect average temperatures of 6-14°C during your cruise.