Coastal Beauty of Britain & Ireland

Portland is a ruggedly beautiful island connected to the mainland by the renowned Chesil Beach and is known for its striking cliffs and wild landscapes. Forming part of the Jurassic Coast, the island is rich in history, with important landmarks like Portland Castle and the distinctive red and white tower of Portland Bill Lighthouse. Close by is the famous limestone arch of Durdle Door, which you will have the opportunity to admire on a coastal tour from your smaller sized ship. Whilst here, you can take the opportunity to sample the famous Dorset knob, beautifully paired with Blue Vinny cheese or local honey, or Dorset Apple Cake, deliciously sweet with a hint of cinnamon.

The largest of the Isles of Scilly, St. Mary’s is a peaceful gem off the coast of Cornwall, known for its warmth and beauty. The island is a charming blend of picturesque beaches, rolling hills, and rugged coastal paths, perfect for peaceful walks and sea views, and the tiny capital of Hugh Town has narrow streets lined with boutiques and cafés, ripe for browsing or sampling locally caught seafood. Close by is Star Castle standing as a reminder of its centuries past, while, due to the island’s subtropical climate, you’ll have the chance to discover the lush Tresco Gardens, home to 2,000 exotic plant species, or go in search of the abundant wildlife, from playful seals to a variety of birds. 

Standing side by side and rising dramatically out of the Atlantic Ocean, Skellig Michael and Little Skellig create a scene of breathtakingly craggy beauty set against the backdrop of the sea. The largest of the two, Skellig Michael, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is renowned for its well-preserved 6^th-century Christian monastery perched on a ledge near the top, which offered solitude and spiritual communion to the first Irish Christians. Both islands are home to several seabird colonies, but as Little Skellig is closed to the public, it’s noted for being one of Europe’s largest breeding sites for gannets, with almost 30,000 pairs. The surrounding waters also attract Grey Seals, Basking Sharks, and Minke Whales due to the more settled weather conditions in the summer, which you may be able to spot from the decks of your ship.

Inishnabro is one of the lesser-known Blasket Islands, located off the coast of County Kerry, Ireland, and has been sculpted over millennia by wind and water erosion, leaving it with an intriguing geological terrain of rugged cliffs and rock formations. It is particularly renowned for the spectacular Cathedral Rocks, a range of tall, sheer, needle-like sea stacks that rise dramatically from the ocean, showcasing the island's raw natural beauty. The island is only inhabited by a variety of seabirds, which you can witness from your ship’s decks as you cruise past.

The westernmost of the Blasket Islands and one of the most westerly points in Europe, Tearaght Island is a rugged and rocky island that is home to one of Ireland’s highest lighthouses, perched 84 metres above sea level on a sheer cliff face. As you sail past, you’ll be able to see the large populations of puffins and storm petrels who breed here in the summer months, as the inhospitable terrain of the island makes it inaccessible to humans. You may also be able to spot a diverse range of marine life in the waters surrounding Tearaght Island from the decks of your ship, making it a captivating area for nature and wildlife lovers.

Each of the Blasket Islands, situated off the coast of the Dingle Peninsula and Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, are quite remarkable. Inishtooskert, Blasket’s northernmost land, is exposed to the ever-changing currents of the Atlantic Ocean, and its coastline is a mix of beaches and coves carved into the rock, overlooked by dramatic cliffs, jagged peaks and rolling landscapes that seem to flow into the waters below. There’s abundant bird and sea life here, including dolphins in the surrounding waters.

Galway in summer makes for a joyous exploration of its cobbled streets, lined with colourful shop fronts and vibrant pubs that will often have live music playing at any time of the week. Referred to as ‘Ireland’s cultural heart’, the city thrives as a centre for culture and the arts with its university and many summer festivals. During your visit, you can immerse yourself in Galway’s history with a knowledgeable guide who will captivate you with stories of the city’s past and present. Close by, the ruggedly vertical Cliffs of Moher offer spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and Galway Bay.

The Cliffs of Moher sit alongside the unique landscape of the Burren on one side and the Wild Atlantic Ocean on the other. Rising out of the Atlantic and running along the coast of Clare for almost 8 miles, the cliffs were formed over 320 million years ago, and today form part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. 30,000 pairs of seabirds nest at the cliffs during the breeding season, where the site is also home to rare wildflowers.

Killybegs promises a captivating blend of maritime history, nature, and exploration, and during June, you could enjoy a boat trip from the local harbour to discover the region’s rugged coastline or try your hand at sea fishing. The area surrounding Killybegs is renowned for its numerous hiking trails offering scenic views of Lough Eske, the Blue Stack Mountains, or the Slieve League cliffs, which are among the highest sea cliffs in Europe. On your return, you can experience warm Irish hospitality by sampling freshly caught seafood, including succulent prawns and the famed Donegal oysters, while listening to traditional Irish music in a local pub with a pint of the iconic ‘Black Stuff’, Guinness. 

Slieve League Cliffs are one of the Wild Atlantic Way's greatest secrets. Located in County Donegal, Ireland, the cliffs are among the highest in Europe and offer remarkable views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding landscape. Considered to be a site of great pilgrimage, the cliffs are home to ancient stone remnants scattered around the hillsides, thought to be from a time before Christianity arrived in Ireland, and also contain the ruins of a chapel from an early Christian monastic site.