Sea Kayaking Holiday - Isle of Skye

This years Costal Spirit sea kayaking holiday was to the Isle of Skye, with quality self catering accommodation as our base.  Hot showers, comfy beds and good food ...  Andy and Tracy, Douglas, Ann, Rob and Marion (from Ireland), with Sonja in support made up the team.  

Five days sea kayaking with a day off to use as you wished and the week's weather forecast was looking fairly good.  The first day we set of for Macleod's Maidens, on the West coast and although in the distance we spotted two eagles (later i was informed that two sea eagles were nesting in the area).  There was a good ground swell running, so despite light winds we couldn't get in close ... but the light was fantastic ...

The following day was set for Loch Currisk and Soay island if the winds behaved!!  Looking into the Cullin's

We found a magic little beach and after some lunch walked over to the Loch ...

That evening we were treated to a super sunset from the window of our accommodation .. ;)

Day 3 and the Northerly headland of Rubha Hunish was the plan.  Conditions were magic, with the Outer Hebrides, seen clearly in the distance.  The sea had that oily calm and visibility under the surface, was stunning.  It was a magic paddle and we managed to get in close early on and explore some caves and channels.  The rock structure was super ...

While we came round to the East coast a gentle swell was picking up and this reef provide a few exciting runs ...

The weather was now on the turn, but hey three magic days on Skye, had already been had.  Kyle Atkin towards Plockton and back and a few down wind circuits working on stern rudders ... and more use of body to direction ...  and our best two otter sighting, which must have been a good 10-15 minutes ...

Day off and I fancied a surf or to see if there was any ... Tracy and Marion were keen to join me and we had a few gentle runs ... I paddled the P&H Hammer which I really enjoyed.  Its very deep so its very different from what I've paddled before, in relation to a sea kayak.  More time needed in some bigger conditions ...

One of the four self catered team meals ... and fantastic it was ...

Friday our last day, saw a solid F6/7 descending on us.  We headed across to Dunvagen and  it soon became clear we were not going to leave the bay today.  Down wind circuits using trim to assist with turning into and away from the wind and some super surfing action from all ...

The following morning we said our good byes and Sonja and myself headed off to find alternative accommodation.  The next few days had more wind and rain so we managed to get a small self catering cottage and I got a paddle in round the Point of Sleat and we got a paddle in together round Neist point and back.  It was topped by sighting a BIG 3.5 mt bottle nosed dolphin, mellowly feeding as we watched on ... a top finish to an amazing week ..

Details on the above sea kayaking holiday can be found here and keep your eyes open for next years Isle of Skye and our Connemara sea kayaking holiday.

Roger

Roger Chandler
www.coastalspirit.com
Level 5 coach sea

Anglesey sea kayaking courses
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North Wales specialist sea kayaking