BASKING SHARK DIVING EXPEDITION

Isle of Coll, Scotland
AUGUST, 2025
8 day expedition / 6 days diving
6 SPACES AVAILABLE

We are headed out on an exploratory expedition to swim with basking sharks

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THE ADVENTURE
This is an exploratory adventure to swim with basking sharks off the Isle of Coll, Scotland. Experience the inspiring landscapes, unique history, and abundant wildlife.

Scotland’s natural beauty is diverse and ever changing.

This expedition has been in the works for many years now, it is an animal we have dreamed of encountering and thankfully due to the protection they have received, it is now possible. Basking sharks were once easy to find but were hunted to the brink of extinction. The animals achieved CITES protection status in 2002, since then, the population of basking sharks has been on a slow steady rise, which is why we are finally setting up this expedition to swim with the second largest shark in the ocean. They are still difficult animals to find, but we use local guides with years of experience encountering these animals.

Basking sharks are just one part of the adventure, there is so much natural beauty IN SCOTLAND, we plan to take advantage of it all!

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  • Snorkeling with the local harbor seal colony

  • Puffins, and seabird colonies

  • Morning and / or evening otter photography

  • Whale Photography. We are not allowed to swim with them, however it is still possible to photograph them from the boat.

DAY TRIPS
These are day trips. Our accommodations will be on the Isle of Coll during our expedition. Every morning we will head out in search of basking sharks in hopes of finding them early for long encounters. We will also spend a couple of days, in the afternoons (after the basking sharks), snorkeling with the grey seals or stopping to photograph the puffins before they leave for the season. 

This is an 8 day adventure with 6 days of swimming with basking sharks.

TRIP COST is $4,650 per person

 An $800 deposit is required to reserve your space. 

PRICE INCLUDES;

  • Six days snorkel with basking sharks

  • Seven nights accommodation on the isle of Coll. ( Dbl. Occ. )

  • Ferry tickets to Isle of Coll (R/T)

  • Afternoon snorkel with grey seals

  • Afternoon with the puffins (if they are still in the area)

  • Continental breakfast

  • Lunch on the boat.

  • Photo coaching throughout the trip.

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* Add $700 for single Occupancy.
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PRICE EXCLUDES;

Airfare, Train Tickets, Dive Gear Rentals, Dinners, Meals on Travel Days, Crew and Hotel Gratuities, Trip Insurance.

YOUR NEXT MOVE…
Let us know you're interested in joining us.

TRAVEL TO ISLE OF COLL
For air travel, the nearest international airports are Edinburgh (EDI) and Glasgow (GLA). Both have regular international and domestic flights from Europe and beyond. From these airports, you can rent a car or take the train to Oban.

If you’re taking the train, the most direct connection is flying into Glasgow, and you can catch a taxi to Queen St. Station. ScotRail operates trains from Edinburgh to Oban, with one change required at Glasgow Queen Street Station for the train to Oban.

Once you arrive in Oban, the Oban station is situated close to the waterfront, about five minutes walk from the shopping area and very close to the ferry terminal.

From there, you must get the ferry to the Isle of Coll from Oban, which is a 3-hour boat ride. There is only one ferry per day, and it leaves to Oban early, so we recommend you arrive the day before to ensure you make the ferry connection on arrival day.

HOTELS IN OBAN
The Kelvin Hotel in Oban is closest to the ferry and is decently priced. They have single rooms as well as rooms that can sleep four. There is also a smaller hotel up the road called Claredon Hotel, but not as many rooms available, but less expensive than the Kelvin. Premier Inn Oban Hotel is close to the train station and ferry but pricier than the Kelvin.

*We will be arrive in Oban the day before so we can travel to Coll the following morning together. If you have any questions regarding travel, please feel free to contact us.

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY 

PAYMENT POLICY

  • A non-refundable deposit of $800 USD is required to reserve a space on SDM adventures.

  • 50% of the expedition cost (balance) is due 180 days prior to departure.

  • 100% of the expedition cost (balance) is due 90 days prior to departure.

  • A 4% surcharge is applied to payments made via credit card.

  • A 3% paypal surcharge is applied to payments made using paypal.

  • Payments can also be made via wire transfer. Just let us know and we will send you the bank transfer info.
    Please add $40 to cover bank fees.

  • Payments can be made by mailing a U.S. Check, or U.S. Money Order Payable to:

  • SDM adventures
    332 East 15th St.
    San Juan, Texas 78589

    CANCELLATION POLICY 

    All cancellations made more than 120 days prior to departure will receive refund (less an administrative fee of $800 USD per person). This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

  • Cancellations made (91 to 120), calendar days prior to departure, are assessed a cancellation fee of 50% of the entire trip price, (including extensions).

  • Cancellations made within 90 days of departure date will not be refunded, therefore we strongly recommend all guest purchase travel insurance.

  • All cancellations must be made in writing by mail or by email to sdm@sharkdivermag.com, - received and acknowledged by SDM Adventures.

  • We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons.

  • No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after an expedition begins.

  • We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable air travel, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance.