Otter Watching

Join an IOSF trip on the Isle of Skye to learn about and watch out for Eurasian otters.

We take small groups or individuals on exclusive day trips.

You will be shown how to read the field signs and how to look for otters in the wild without disturbing them, which is vitally important. Our groups are small or even on a one-to-one basis as we want to give you the best chance of seeing these wonderful animals. However, they are wild and we cannot give a 100% guarantee that we will see them, but as our otters are not nocturnal we stand a good chance.

You will be led by Grace Yoxon, Helen Stephenson or Ben Yoxon who are experienced in the studying and watching otters on the Isle of Skye.

Cost

Adults - £120 per day

Children - £50 per day

Time

10am - 4pm (approximately)

Days

Monday to Friday

©Dean Burton

BOOK NOW

All profits go towards the work of IOSF

If you require further information or want to book a larger group please call 01471 822 487 or email us at enquiries@otter.org

Fancy making your otter watching experience even more special? Why not book with our friends at Kinloch Hotel, Sleat, Isle of Skye and enjoy some luxury accommodation too, with their Otter Spotting Escape.

©John Reeves-Womble

If you are booking an Otter Watching Day for more than 2 months ahead, we can only take a provisional booking at this stage, with a deposit.

Your Day will be confirmed with you 2 months before the date and at that stage the balance payment will be taken.

Should you wish to cancel a booking please let us know by phone as soon as possible and then confirm in writing either by letter or email. Similarly, if we need to cancel a booking you will be notified by phone as soon as possible and this will be confirmed in writing either by post or email.

If a change in the booking has to be made by either party when there is insufficient time to confirm in writing (e.g. because of the weather or other unforeseen event), then a phone call or email will be acceptable to both parties.

Please contact us if you have any queries about this.

Important Information

Frequently Asked Questions

  • These are wild animals and so there is never any guarantee. But saying that, here in the Hebrides our otters are not nocturnal and with patience and good conditions they can be seen at any time of the day.

  • This varies but will probably be up to 5 miles on rough tracks or along the shoreline. A certain amount of fitness is necessary but trips can be adapted for special conditions – just let us know when you book. If you are in doubt just ask.

  • Please be aware that ticks are present in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Lyme Disease may result from tick bites. Therefore, we recommend for your own wellbeing, that you take time to view the following NHS information online here

  • Your guides are experienced at watching otters in the wild and otter surveying. Grace and Paul Yoxon established the Skye Environmental Centre in 1984 and founded the International Otter Survival Fund in 1993. For his PhD, Paul carried out detailed studies into the use of the coastal habitat by otters and he therefore has considerable experience in field techniques and otter survey work. Grace is largely responsible for the wild animal hospital care as well as education. Their work has been featured on television programmes such as Blue Peter, BBC Wildlife on One, Countryfile and Animal Hospital Roadshow. Helen has worked with IOSF since 2002 and Ben is our Research and Education Officer.

  • The price includes full transport for the day and the guide/s.

  • Yes of course, provided they are willing to sit quietly for a while. Over the years, our youngest guest has been six months and the oldest 84 years so we are sure you and your family fit in somewhere!

  • This is not included and we would recommend that you arrange for full cancellation cover and personal insurance which includes personal injury/illness or loss/damage to your property. We can accept no responsibility for loss or damage to guests’ personal belongings.

  • You can book on-line through our web shop, the green book online button above will take you there directly(http://www.ottershop.co.uk). You can also book by telephone or post. It is important that the availability of your chosen date is confirmed, so please contact us about this first of all.

  • We do hope this won’t happen but if necessary you should telephone immediately and confirm in writing. Unfortunately we do have to impose cancellation charges. The deposit is non-returnable and the cancellation charges are in addition to the loss of deposit:

    Period before the otter watching day:

    6-4 weeks – 20% of balance cancellation charge

    4-2 weeks – 40% of balance cancellation charge

    2-1 week – 60% of balance cancellation charge

    less than 7 days – no refund available

    We reserve the right to change or cancel an otter watching day due to unexpected circumstances and a full refund OF THE AMOUNT ALREADY PAID TO US will be given without any further liability whatsoever to Skye Environmental Centre Ltd.

  • It is true – all profits from the holidays and otter watching days DO go into supporting the work of IOSF:

Find out more about the Eurasian Otter

©John Williams

Skye Wildlife Sightings