North West Highlands Snorkel Trail Snorkeling

Northwest of Inverness, Scotland, the North West Highlands Snorkel Trail offers snorkelers an underwater glimpse of Ullapool Harbour. The North West Highlands Snorkel Trail is spread across nine beaches and bays along the coast of Wester Ross and Sutherland. The best snorkelling can be found in Camusnagaul, in Achmelvich Bay, and at Tanera Mor in the Summer Isles. The island of Tanera Mor off Achiltibuie has steep dropoffs on both sides of the landing platform, both of which are good for snorkelling among kelp forest where you’ll spot lobsters and crabs. The Achmelvich Bay is known for rocky outcroppings on either sides of the sandy beach which provide good beginner snorkelling with plenty of fish and shellfish to observer. In particular, watch for the ballan wrasse and moon jellyfish.

The North West Highlands Snorkel Trail is known for it’s healthy coral reefs which provide habitat for sunstars, dolphins, spotted dogfish, lobsters, cuttlefish, jellyfish and sea urchins. The snorkelling trail is maintained by the Scottish WIldlife Trust. Since the water are usally pretty cool, a wetsuit is highly recommended.

To reach the region by train from Inverness, the closest train station is in Achnasheen.

Overall, North West Highlands Snorkel Trail is the 2nd most popular snorkel dive spot of all 5 snorkeling dives in UK.