The seabird islands of the western British Isles are the envy of the birding world and yet it is not easy to sample the wonderful diversity of their character and come face-to-face with seagoing inhabitants. This unusual expedition cruise will appeal to those who wish to explore our coastal waters, observe the marvellous seabird and marine life and walk across untouched coastal wilderness areas. The focus of our expedition is the prolific birdlife but the region is also rich in historical and cultural heritage and with our naturalists and local guides we will discover some of the most remote and uninhabited islands that surround the coast of Britain.
Cruising aboard the Ocean Nova and in the company of just seventy fellow travellers, we will be able to enjoy expedition cruising at its best. Although we will set sail with a schedule, it will not be set in stone. The Captain and expedition team keep a flexible approach allowing you the opportunity to fully experience the unexpected, whether it be a sighting of dolphins, a whale or any unusual event. Our exploration of inlets, estuaries and protected coastal waters will be made all the more enjoyable by the use of our Zodiac landing craft which enable us to land in remote places such as St Kilda, providing for an unusual perspective and making the otherwise inaccessible readily available. This is a wonderful opportunity to see some of our most beautiful places and view some of the extensive birdlife. No matter what your level of expertise, you will find a warm welcome and a cornucopia of stunning sights and sounds.
Ocean Nova
We are delighted to have once again exclusively chartered the expedition ship, the Ocean Nova for our island hopping adventures around the British Isles. The vessel was built in Denmark in 1992 with high ice class to serve Greenland’s west coast. In 2006 she was completely refurbished and now has a career as a small and comfortable, expedition ship. Whilst at full capacity the Ocean Nova can accomodate up to 84 passengers, we limit passenger numbers on our charters to just 70 guests.
Click here for an interactive tour of the ship.
Itinerary
Day 1 Poole, England.
Embark the Ocean Nova this afternoon. A transfer will be provided from Poole Railway Station at a fixed time. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening.
Day 2 Alderney, Channel Islands.
Arrive in the Channel Islands and spend the morning on Alderney where our onboard team will lead a series of walks to explore the island. Visit the island’s only town, St Anne, which has all the old world charm of a Normandy village with tiny squares and pastel shaded cottages and shops. You may wish to visit the museum which is packed with historical artefacts ranging from the Romans to the German occupation during the Second World War. Those feeling active can join a walk to see the German fortifications and Victorian forts along the coastline before arriving at Les Etacs gannet colony. These rocks are situated just 100 metres offshore and are home to 6000 pairs of gannets. Return to the ship for lunch and maybe attend a lecture during our afternoon at sea.
Day 3 Isles of Scilly, England.
We have a day in the Isles of Scilly, an archipelago of five inhabited islands and up to one hundred and forty uninhabited islets, located 30 miles off the coast of Cornwall. Our day will depend on weather and sea conditions but we hope to visit traffic-free Tresco, walking its idyllic lanes from the beach to the famous subtropical Abbey Gardens. Defying the Atlantic weather, this miracle of a garden is home to more than 20,000 species of plants from over 80 countries. Enjoy time to wander along the paths, maybe visit the Valhalla collection of ship figureheads from ships wrecked on the islands or relax in the café. Later we hope to land on St Agnes, the most south-westerly community in the UK. Surrounded by rocks and reefs, this delightful tiny island offers marvellous coastal walks. The small island of Gugh lies across a narrow sandbar and here we find a single stone monolith called the ‘Old Man of Gugh’ which dates back to the Bronze Age. En-route we plan to sail past the nearby island of Annet, the second largest of the uninhabited islands and a bird sanctuary. We will cruise along the coastline alive with puffins, European storm petrels and shag.
Day 4 Skomer Island & Grassholm Island, Wales.
We awake this morning off the Pembrokeshire Coast at the island of Skomer. One of the most important wildlife sites in Northern Europe, Skomer has fantastic birdlife including over 41,000 individual puffins, countless numbers of guillemots, fulmar, kittiwakes and the elusive Manx shearwater and storm petrel. We will use our Zodiacs to take a closer look and may also see some of the resident seals. Return to the ship for lunch as we sail to Grassholm, one of the world’s largest gannetries with over 16,000 breeding pairs.
Day 5 Holyhead, Wales & Calf of Man, Isle of Man.
Over breakfast we arrive at Holyhead, adjacent to Anglesey, with its spectacular sea cliffs. Here we will visit the RSPB’s reserve at South Stack, a beautiful but fragile maritime sward and heathland which is home to a large population of guillemots and razorbills. If we are lucky, we might also see some choughs. On a choice of walks, we will also see Ellin’s tower, a Victorian folly, and South Stack lighthouse built in 1809, maybe spotting some dolphins in the waters below. Returning to the ship for lunch we hope to arrive in the early evening at the Calf of Man, a 600 acre island situated off the southern tip of the Isle of Man, and home to thousands of seabirds including Manx shearwater, kittiwake and razorbill. Meanwhile in the water we may be lucky to see dolphins and seals.
Day 6 Mull of Galloway & Ailsa Craig, Scotland.
Arriving at our berth in Cairnryan a scenic drive brings us to the unspoilt Mull of Galloway, Scotland’s most southerly point. Here, the RSPB site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest with 30 acres of rolling heathland and wildflowers overlooking dramatic cliffs which are home to guillemots, shags and kittiwakes. We also find the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse which was built by Robert Stevenson, with the light first lit on the 26th March 1830. It offers fabulous views over the cliffs and coast and in fine weather across to the Isle of Man and Ireland. Later this afternoon we will anchor off the granite island of Ailsa Craig. This tiny island, just 2.5 miles in circumference, was once a refuge for sailors and base to a 19th century lighthouse. Today it is an RSPB reserve and home to the third largest gannet colony in Britain. We will use the Zodiacs and cruise the coastal waters for a closer look searching for puffins, guillemots and gulls.
Day 7 Staffa & Lunga.
Overnight we will sail to Staffa, where the perpendicular rock face features an imposing series of black basalt columns, known as the Colonnade, which have been cut by the sea into cathedralesque caverns, most notably Fingal’s Cave. Weather permitting, we will use our Zodiacs to explore more closely. We continue to Lunga, the largest of the Treshnish Isles. Of volcanic origin, Lunga has been described as a ‘green jewel in a peacock sea’. Populated until the 19th century, the island still bears the remains of black houses. There is prolific birdlife on the island including storm petrels, puffins, kittiwakes and Manx shearwaters.
Day 8 St Kilda & Stac Lee, Outer Hebrides.
Arrive this morning at St Kilda, a remarkable uninhabited archipelago some 50 miles beyond the Outer Hebrides. Dominated by the highest cliffs and sea stacks in Britain, Hirta, St Kilda’s main island was occupied on and off for at least 2000 years, with the last 36 Gaelic speaking inhabitants evacuated at their request in 1930. Immediately after the evacuation, the island was bought by the Marquess of Bute to protect the island’s thousands of seabirds including puffins and fulmars, and in 1957 it was bequeathed to the National Trust for Scotland. St Kilda is one of the few UNESCO World Heritage Sites with dual status reflecting its natural and cultural significance. The local ranger will join us on board before our expedition staff lead several guided walks on the island. This afternoon we cruise past two of the largest gannetries in the world at Stac Lee and Boreray. These impressive stacs rise 170 metres from the sea and are home to up to 60,000 breeding pairs of northern gannets.
Day 9 Shiant Islands & Isle of Lewis.
This morning we will board the Zodiacs for a cruise around the spectacular basalt cliffs of the Shiant Islands, a group of little islands located a few miles off the shores of the Isle of Lewis. This is an excellent place to spot puffins, razorbills, guillemots, seals and hopefully white-tailed eagles. Over lunch we sail the short distance to Loch Sealg on the southern coast of Lewis where we can stretch our legs as we explore the abandoned, former crofters’ village of Stiomrabhaigh.
Day 10 Lochmaddy & Wiay Island.
Arriving off the coast of North Uist we will use our Zodiacs to land at the village of Lochmaddy. A scenic drive will take us across the island to Balranald RSPB nature reserve. With its sandy beaches, rocky foreshore, marshes and sand dunes, the flower-rich machair and croft-land, the reserve plays host to a number of intriguing bird species including corncrakes and corn buntings. Return to the ship for lunch as we sail to Wiay Island where we will take a Zodiac cruise along the coast to explore the many inlets and arches in the basaltic lava which makes up the island. As we search for black guillemots and nesting shags, the clear waters offer a fascinating view into the underwater world that lies beneath.
Day 11 Oban.
Disembark after breakfast. Transfers will be provided to Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Central Railway Station at a fixed time.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy| 5 to 15 May 2028 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Price | |
| Category 1 Bunk Bedded cabin for twin use | £5295 | |
| Category 2 Standard Twin | £5695 | |
| Category 3 Superior Twin | £5995 | |
| Category 1 Bunk bedded cabin for sole use | £6095 | |
| Category 2 Standard twin for sole use | £6595 | |
Tour Reference Code: SCON050528
PRICE INCLUDES: 10 nights aboard the Ocean Nova on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Noble Caledonia expedition team • Shore excursions • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
During this expedition you will be visiting out of the way destinations and will be accompanied by an expedition team. Landings and excursions will be made by Zodiac landing craft. The use of Zodiacs will be key to the operation of the itinerary as shown. If you have any queries pertaining to the use of Zodiacs or the level of fitness required for this voyage, please do not hesitate to ask one of our experienced travel consultants.
Please be aware that our website does not display real-time availability. As a result, the categories and prices listed above are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please call us at 020 7752 0000 and speak with one of our experienced Travel Consultants.
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Scotland & Newfoundland Deckplan
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Antarctica Deckplan
Ocean Nova
We are delighted to have once again exclusively chartered the expedition ship, the Ocean Nova for our island hopping adventures around the British Isles. The vessel was built in Denmark in 1992 with high ice class to serve Greenland’s west coast. In 2006 she was completely refurbished and now has a career as a small and comfortable, expedition ship. Whilst at full capacity the Ocean Nova can accomodate up to 84 passengers, we limit passenger numbers on our charters to just 70 guests.
Click here for an interactive tour of the ship.
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Ship Directory
Ship Directory
Please find below further details pertaining to the vessel or click on the booklet to download.
We are delighted you have chosen the Ocean Nova for your upcoming voyage and hope this information booklet answers any questions you may have pertaining to the vessel.
SHIP TECHNICAL DETAILS
Built: 1992 (Denmark)
Registered: Bahamas
Draft: 4.5 metres
Gross tonnage: 2180 tonnes
Length: 73 metres
Breadth: 11 metres
Passenger capacity: 84
Staff & crew: 32
Ice class: Ice 1B, EO (Hull Ice 1A)
Cruising speed: 13 KnotsAIR-CONDITIONING
The Panorama Lounge and dining room are air-conditioned and all cabins have outside airflow that can be individually controlled. The ship is heated throughout.
ALARM
An alarm will be sounded in the event of an emergency. Please follow the instructions provided on board for what to do should an emergency occur.
BAR/BEVERAGES
A bar offering soft and alcoholic drinks is available in the Panorama Lounge. Wine and beverage service is also available in the dining room. Individually purchased drinks consumed throughout your journey should be settled at the end of your voyage. Complimentary tea and coffee are available 24 hours a day in the Bar and Library.
BRIDGE
Permission to visit the ship’s Bridge may be requested. Please note this is a working area and access may sometimes be restricted, for example, during manoeuvres or bad weather conditions.
CABINS
There are 39 passenger cabins on board, all outside facing and with en-suite bathroom facilities. All cabins have upper and lower beds, however, in twin cabins only the lower beds will be used. Each cabin features a window, mirror, writing table and chair, hairdryer and telephone. All cabins are cleaned daily and towels are changed as required.
COMMUNICATION
Telephone: The ship can be contacted by satellite phone (tel: + 870 77306 4426). Passengers will be able to receive and make satellite phone calls via the telephone on the Bridge and the charges will be added to their onboard account. Since all communication by phone or email is through a satellite system, coverage and availability can vary throughout the cruise, depending on the signal. Satellite Internet & Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is available throughout the vessel and Wi-Fi cards are available to purchase at Reception. Depending on the ship’s location, there may be times when the connection is very slow or is disrupted and the same level of connectivity that you enjoy at home cannot be expected on board.
CURRENCY
The currency on board is Euros. Your ship account will be payable at the end of your cruise by cash (in Euros) or credit card (Visa, MasterCard and American Express). Please note that debit cards are not accepted.
DAILY PROGRAMME
A Daily Programme, detailing the following day’s arrangements as well as any specific information about the day’s activities is produced on board and delivered to your cabin each evening.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
If you have any dietary requirements such as vegetarian, low salt, gluten free and low cholesterol, please notify the Reservations Department in advance. We regret that not all dietary requirements can be guaranteed. If you have any specific or special foods that you require we recommend that you take some with you although we will endeavour to accommodate your needs. Once on board, please speak to the Hotel Manager at dinner on your first night to reconfirm your requirements.
DRESS CODE
On board the emphasis is on comfortable and casual clothing at all times. It is recommended to wear sturdy shoes with rubber soles or other non-slip soles when moving around inside the ship.
ELECTRICITY
The electrical supply aboard ship is 220 volts. AC and outlets take Scandinavian two-prong plugs. We recommend that you take an adaptor with you.
EMERGENCY & SAFETY PROCEDURES
Full details of the ship’s emergency and safety procedures will be provided following your embarkation. There is a medical doctor and a first aid station on board.
FIRE SAFETY
On your cabin door is a deck plan displaying your closest (and all other) emergency exits. Emergency exits are marked in green and fire extinguishers fitted in all corridors.
FITNESS ROOM
An exercise area is available on the Bridge Deck and contains a variety of equipment. If you intend to use the gym please ensure you wear suitable clothing.
GRATUITIES
Gratuities have been included in your holiday price.
HEALTH & HYGIENE
In order to maintain health standards you will find hand sanitisers at all important contact points around the vessel.
HOUSEKEEPING
Your cabin will be cleaned twice a day and you will be provided with a ‘turn down’ service at night.
LAUNDRY
Laundry service is available at an additional charge (price list is available in your cabin). Laundry will be collected in the morning and will be returned to you in approximately two days. Ironing facilities are also available for a fee, however, please note there is no tumble drying or dry cleaning on board.
LIBRARY
A small selection of books is available for use on board. A laptop with internet access is available here as well as complimentary tea and coffee.
LIFT
There is no lift on board the vessel.
LOST PROPERTY
Lost property can be handed in to the ship’s reception. Before you disembark the ship, please check your cabin to ensure you do not leave anything behind. If you discover you have left any items behind, please contact Noble Caledonia directly. If we are able to recover your item(s) we will contact you to arrange delivery or collection and to advise of any associated costs.
MEALS
The dining room is located on the Upper Deck and seats all passengers at a single sitting. The chef will serve three meals a day. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style and dinner is a combination of self-service and served items. All tables seat at least five people.
MOSQUITOES
Please ensure you take the appropriate precautions to guard against mosquito bites.
OBSERVATION DECK
The Observation Deck is available to passengers throughout the sailing. However, please note the deck may have to be closed during periods of inclement weather.
PAYMENTS ON BOARD
The vessel operates a signed-chit system whereby no payment is immediately required (the vessel only requiring a signature for your purchase) and, only at the end of the cruise will you be presented with your final itemised bill to settle.
POST
The vessel’s crew will be happy to send any post you may have on your behalf (although please note that as they are unable to do so at every port of call, this could take longer than if you were to post yourself).
QUESTIONNAIRES
Your comments are important to us therefore before your cruise ends, you will receive a questionnaire. We are always looking for ways to improve your holiday experience and appreciate the time you take to complete the questionnaire.
RECEPTION
Reception is staffed during peak hours. You will always be able to contact a member of the crew 24 hours a day.
SAFE
A safe is available in the hotel manager’s office for valuables but we recommend leaving valuables at home or keeping them on your person.
SMOKING
Smoking within your cabin or any of the vessel’s public areas is strictly prohibited. Designated smoking areas are provided and can be advised by the ship’s reception upon embarkation.
WATER
The water on board is safe to drink. There are strategically placed water bottle filling stations where water is additionally filtered for taste and quality
V.1 JULY 2022
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Deck Plan
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Scotland & Newfoundland Deckplan
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Antarctica Deckplan
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Scotland & Newfoundland Deckplan
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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000