Water Based Activities

Boat Trips

Boat trips in the Firth of Lorne and Sound of Jura are famous for being among the most exciting in Britain. The centrepiece is the Corryvreckan Whirpool – the third largest in the world. Charter boats as operated by Sealife Adventures, Gemini Cruises, and Craignish Cruises are powerful enough to navigate the strong tidal races between the islands then enter the whirlpool for an exhilarating experience. Wildlife sightings along the way often include (in season) whales, porpoises, dolphins, golden and sea eagles, and seals.

Watersports

For adults and children wanting to learn canoeing or sailing, Craignish Boat Club has canoes, dinghies and instructors for hire all within the sheltered Loch Craignish Lagoon. Experienced yachtsmen will find all their berthing and chandlery needs as well as yacht chartering at Craobh Marina and Ardfern Yacht Centre. The Admiralty Chart 2326 “Loch Crinan to the Firth of Lorne” maps the area, but please ask marina staff about the more treacherous tidal areas.

The waters around the Firth of Lorne provide some of the best sea kayaking in the UK. There are gentle routes around some of the islands or, for the expert, strong tidal races and whirpools. Tuition, guided tours and kayak hire are available from Sea Kayak Oban, Sea Freedom Kayak or Rowland Woollven.

Fishing

Both sea and freshwater fishing is in abundance, and all within easy reach of Loch Melfort Hotel. Nearby lochs and rivers stock large trout and wild salmon, whilst the Firth of Lorne provides good, light shore and boat fishing as well as deep sea fishing for skate!

Fly fishing permits are available from reception, as is information on where to fish. World class trout fishing can be had at Loch Awe, where the UK record wild brown trout was caught weighing in at 31lb. Fly fishing tuition and rod hire is available at Inverawe Fisheries; a major centre for fly fishing in the area with four lochs and two river beats. Closer to the hotel is Loch Scammadale, a picturesque loch set in the hills that is known for its large brown trout.

The excellent sea fishing in the waters around Oban and Mull attracts anglers from all over the UK. There are plenty of accessible shore marks in Oban itself such as Dunollie Point, a good spot for mackerel spinning, and the salt water reaches of Loch Etive provides excellent fishing for spurdog and thornback ray. Charter boats leave Oban regularly for the deep sea marks off Mull in pursuit of skate, tope and ling. Visit Gannet day charters, Donald Maclean or Firth of Lorne Charters for more details.

Diving

The Firth of Lorne is a Special Area of Conservation and as such is a major UK centre for diving. As well as interesting and rare marine life, spectacular wall and reef dives, there are also many wrecks including World War 2 vessels. There are also plenty of tidal races such as the spectacular Falls of Lora and the mazelike Grey Dogs at Scarba which offer more challenging dives for experienced divers. Contact Porpoise Diving or Puffin Dive Centre for further information.

Moorings

Loch Melfort Hotel has four free moorings for vessels up to 40ft. The moorings operate on a first come first served basis and landing is via a well-maintained slipway with ropes and after that it’s just a 5 minute walk to the hotel.