Loch Coruisk Boat Trip: How to Visit Scotland’s Most Remote Loch

If you’re looking to experience one of the best hidden gems on the Isle of Skye, a Loch Coruisk boat trip is a must do.

Tucked at the base of the Cuillin Mountains with no road access, Loch Coruisk is a hidden gem that few travelers experience. This is easily one of the most beautiful places in Skye and is worth adding to your Scotland itinerary.

On my recent trip to Skye, I booked a boat tour with Misty Isle Boat Trips from the tiny village of Elgol, and it quickly became one of my favorite Scotland adventures. From the dramatic views of the Cuillins Mountains to seeing seals in their natural habitat – this truly a unique experience.

In this guide, I’ll share exactly how to book a Loch Coruisk boat trip, what to expect, and insider tips from my own experience to help you plan your own trip to this remote place in Scotland!

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Where is Loch Coruisk?

Loch Coruisk is an inland fresh-water loch that lays at the foot of the iconic ridge of the Black Cuillin Mountians.

This beautiful loch is found on the southern part of the Isle of Skye. While Skye has become a massively popular tourist destination in Scotland, Loch Coruisk remains a bit of a hidden gem and still holds the stunning, undisturbed beauty of the island.

Getting to Elgol – The Starting Point for Loch Coruisk Boat Trips

One reason Loch Coruisk isn’t a main tourist attraction is that it takes a bit of effort to get there. The easiest way to visit is by taking a boat trip departing from the small, remote village of Egol.

Driving to Egol

Egol is located about 14 miles from the town of Broadford, which is the 2nd largest town on the Isle of Skye. Egol is 40 miles south from Portree.

From Broadford to Egol, you will travel mostly on single track road. So, although the GPS may say the drive will take around 40 minutes, it is better to plan for at least an hour.

Driving on single track roads takes longer because at times you will need to pull aside to let oncoming traffic through.

Parking at the Boat Dock in Egol

I highly recommend getting to the boat dock a little early, because parking is limited. You will go down a fairly steep hill and then there will be a free parking lot called “Egol Car Park.”

If you arrive early, there is a food truck called The Creel which serves up some fresh seafood.

Loch Coruisk Boat Trip Options

There are two companies with boat tours to Loch Coruisk: Bella Jane Tours and Misty Isle Boat Tours. Both are highly-rated and great options.

We personally took the Misty Isle Boat Trip and it was the highlight of our time on Skye.

Bella Jane Boat Tours

Bella Jane Boat Tours has been running for 30 years and offers boat trips 7 days per week (weather dependent) from around April 1st – the end of October.

Bella Jane Boat Tours offers a few different boat trips to Loch Coruisk including a standard trip which includes 1.5 hours on shore. They also offer RIB boat tours (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats), which is an exhilarating experience.

Misty Isle Boat Tours

Misty Isle Boat Tours is also a highly-rated boat tour to Loch Coruisk. This is a family-run business that has been operating for 50 years. They offer a few different boat trip options including a mini, standard, maxi, and one-way trip.

My Experience with Misty Isle Boat Trips

We took the standard boat trip with Misty Isles and absolutely loved it. For us, the 3 hour trip was the perfect amount of time to hike around the shores Loch Coruisk and enjoy the dramatic scenery. We also loved seeing all the seals hanging out on their island on the ride to Loch Coruisk.

Not only was the boat ride great, but Misty Isles is a family-run business and you can tell! They were so friendly & knowledgeable about the area which added to the overall experience.

What to Expect on the Boat Ride and at Loch Coruisk

While there are a few different options, this is what you can expect for a standard boat ride from Egol to Loch Coruisk and back.

During the Boat Ride to Loch Coruisk

The boat ride to Loch Coruisk is very scenic, with views of the Cuillins in the distance.

I do want to mention that it can be wavy at first because you start off in more open waters. I’d recommend taking motion sickness medicine or wearing a patch if you are someone prone to seasickness.

One of the highlights of the boat ride is the wildlife that you can see. We were able to see a colony of seals and it was such a unique experience! One thing I enjoyed was that the boat slowed down to give you ample time to see the seals.

Along the boat trip there is also the possibility (no guarantee) of seeing other wildlife such as sea eagles, basking sharks, minky whales, dolphins, or porpoises.

At Loch Coruisk

Once you arrive, you will disembark and then it is just a short walk to Loch Coruisk. At the loch, you can hike or walk around, enjoy a picnic, or just relax and take in the stunning views.

We decided to take a leisurely stroll around and flew our drone (with permission) to get some video footage of the loch. In our experience, having 1.5 hours at Loch Coruisk was the perfect amount of time to enjoy the scenery of the area without feeling rushed.

Once back on the Misty Isles boat, we were greeted with some hot coffee (or tea) and it was so appreciated!

Best Time to Take a Loch Coruisk Boat Trip

Visiting Loch Coruisk is a seasonal experience, with boat trips running from the beginning of spring (April) to around the end of October. The best time to take a boat tour to Loch Coruisk is any time between spring to fall, with July and August being the warmest months.

Our boat trip to Loch Coruisk was in the middle of May, and we lucked out with some fantastic weather during it.

Insider Tips from My Boat Trip to Loch Coruisk

Here are a few insider tips for taking a boat trip to Loch Coruisk based on our personal experience:

✅ Book in Advance (even a few days in advance)

I recommend booking a boat tour in advance, especially if you want to go at a certain time. These boat trips have limited space and so they do fill up.

We booked a bit last minute (the day before) and the morning trips were full so we went in the afternoon (which was still great). However, I would not drive all the way to Egol without having a confirmed boat tour.

To book in advance, visit the Misty Isles Boat Tour website or the Bella Jane Boat Tour website.

✅ Wear Waterproof Layers

Even in the summer, the boat ride to Loch Coruisk can get chilly. Isle of Skye is also known for having frequent rain, so I highly recommend wearing layers. This should include some type of rain jacket. You will also want to bring waterproof hiking boots.

✅ Bring a Backpack

I recommend bringing a small backpack with a water bottle and possibly some protein snacks. The entire trip is around 3 hours so its important to stay hydrated. Loch Coruisk is very remote so you’ll want to bring water with you.

✅ No Facilities at Loch Coruisk – Its a Remote Destination

Loch Coruisk is a remote destination, so there are no bathrooms or facilities there. I’d recommend using the bathroom in Egol before leaving, as well as bringing water and a snack with you on the journey.

The only building you will see around Loch Coruisk is the Loch Coruisk Memorial Hut, which is a hikers bothy. Unlike some other bothys in Scotland, this one needs to be booked in advance and is only used by hikers that are staying the night there.

✅ Take Seasickness Medicine if Needed

If you are someone that is prone to seasickness it is best to be prepared with motion sickness medicine like Dramamine or a Seasick Patch because it can get wavy. We personally had no issues with the waves or getting seasick, I just want to give a heads up to those who know that they tend to get motion sickness easily.

Hiking Loch Coruisk: The Alternate Way to Visit

Loch Coruisk is a remote destination, and can only be visited by taking a boat tour or by foot. You can also opt to do a one way boat trip to Loch Coruisk and hike back or visce-versa.

The hike to Loch Coruisk is strenuous and should only be attempted by experienced hikers with a hiking guide that knows the area well.

Instead, a better way to hike Loch Coruisk is to get there by boat and then hike around the loch’s circuit.

To do this, you can opt to take a boat tour with more time ashore (up to 7 hours with Misty Isles) which would give you more time to hike around Loch Coruisk. For more information on hiking around the circut of Loch Coruisk visit the Walk the Highlands website.

Folklore & Legends of Loch Coruisk

Loch Coruisk’s dramatic setting has made it a magical place in Scotland, and over the centuries it has become home to local legends, myths, and folklore.

One of the most famous tales involves selkies, which are mythical creatures that transform between a human and a seal by shedding its skin. Some say that fisherman have even seen selkies basking along the rocks. Its also said that marrying a selkie can bring great luck… or misfortunes.

Other tales claim that Loch Coruisk is home to a Kelpie – a mysterious shape-shifting water horse that can also take human form.

FAQs Loch Coruisk Boat Trip

Conclusion: Why a Loch Coruisk Boat Trip is Worth It

A Loch Coruisk boat trip is absolutely worth it when visiting the Isle of Skye. With no roads leading to the loch, taking the boat from Elgol is the easiest way to experience this remote corner of the Cuillin mountains — and it feels like stepping into another world.

Taking a Loch Coruisk boat tour was a highlight of my time in Scotland. The combination of dramatic scenery, peaceful seclusion, and a true sense of adventure makes a visit Loch Coruisk unforgettable.

If you want an experience that goes beyond the typical Skye attractions, this boat trip delivers!