A new opportunity awaits! An extraordinary day of island adventures, wild swimming, seabirds and discovering two of Scotland’s most remarkable places from the sea.

Have you ever looked out towards Bass Rock and wondered what it would be like to swim in the waters beneath it?

Or imagined slipping into the sea beside the Isle of May, surrounded by the beauty and wildlife of the Firth of Forth?

Well… we have something rather special to share!

We’ve teamed up with Blue Wild Boat Tours to create a fabulous new adventure, offering the opportunity to sail to both Bass Rock and the Isle of May, with a wild swim at each location.

Two iconic islands.

Two rather extraordinary places to dip.

And one wonderful day out on the water.

We’ve deliberately planned this adventure for after the main seabird breeding season, when the young birds have had time to mature and leave their nesting sites.

That means we can enjoy these beautiful places while being mindful of the wildlife that calls them home.

And I have to say…

I’m just a little bit excited about this one! 🌊🐦

⛵ Our adventure begins at Dunbar Harbour…

We’ll set off from Dunbar Harbour with our friends at Blue Wild Tours, leaving the familiar coastline behind as we head out into the Firth of Forth.

There’s something wonderful about heading out to sea with an island adventure ahead of you.

The coastline begins to change.

The open water stretches around us.

And somewhere on the horizon, two very special destinations await.

Our adventure will take us towards Bass Rock and the Isle of May, giving us the opportunity to appreciate these extraordinary islands from the water.

And, when conditions allow…

We’ll be getting in!

🐦 Bass Rock – A swim beneath a seabird kingdom

Rising dramatically from the sea, Bass Rock is one of Scotland’s most recognisable natural landmarks.

For much of the year, this great volcanic island is home to an extraordinary colony of northern gannets.

Thousands of these magnificent birds gather here during the breeding season, filling the skies and rocky slopes with life.

By the time of our adventure, the breeding season will be drawing to a close or have finished, and the island will be entering a quieter chapter of its year.

But the sense of wonder remains.

Imagine looking up from the water at that enormous rock rising above you.

The scale of it.

The history.

The knowledge that generations of seabirds have returned here year after year.

And there you are…

Enjoying a wild dip in the waters around Bass Rock. 🌊

Not something you get to do every day!

🏝️ The Isle of May – An island full of stories

Our adventure continues towards the beautiful Isle of May, another remarkable island sitting at the entrance to the Firth of Forth.

Known for its seabird colonies, seals, rich maritime history and changing seasonal wildlife, the Isle of May is a fascinating place to discover from the sea.

During the breeding season, its cliffs and grassy slopes are busy with seabirds raising their young.

Later in the year, the island takes on a different character as many of those birds head back out to sea.

We’ll enjoy the opportunity to explore its coastline from the boat, taking in the rocky shores, cliffs and wonderful views.

And then, if conditions are suitable…

It’s time for our second wild dip!

Imagine floating in the water beside an island that has witnessed centuries of maritime history, surrounded by the sounds and movement of the sea.

A chance to stop.

Look around.

And enjoy being somewhere rather extraordinary.

Two islands.

Two dips.

Two very different experiences.

And a whole collection of memories to take home.

🥪 Lunch with an island view…

Somewhere along our adventure, we’ll settle down aboard the boat to enjoy lunch together.

Please bring your own packed lunch, drinks and snacks.

After a dip in the sea, there’s something particularly lovely about getting warm, finding a comfortable spot and enjoying lunch with a view.

And what a view we might have!

An island rising from the sea.

Seabirds passing overhead.

Perhaps a seal appearing nearby.

And plenty of time to chat about everything we’ve seen so far.

Sometimes the simplest moments become the ones we remember most.

🦭 A little time for wildlife…

One of the reasons we’ve chosen to plan this adventure after the main seabird breeding season is because we believe enjoying our natural environment comes with a responsibility to protect it.

Both Bass Rock and the Isle of May are internationally important wildlife sites.

Although many of the nesting seabirds may have departed by the time we visit, there is still so much to appreciate.

We may spot gannets travelling over the sea, other seabirds feeding offshore or seals resting around the islands.

And who knows what else might make an appearance?

Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, of course.

Nature makes her own plans.

We’ll enjoy watching from a respectful distance, taking care not to disturb the animals or their habitats.

Because part of loving these beautiful places is helping to keep them beautiful for the wildlife that depends on them.

💙 Who is this adventure for?

Anyone who has enjoyed wild swimming before and fancies a rather special island adventure!

You don’t need to be an experienced long-distance swimmer or someone who spends hours in the water.

Whether you love a gentle dip or enjoy a longer swim, this adventure is about discovering somewhere new, enjoying the sea and sharing the experience with like-minded people.

All we ask is that you’ve wild swum before, feel comfortable in open water and are happy to enter and exit the sea from a boat with guidance from our team.

There’s no competition.

No distances to complete.

And certainly no prize for staying in the longest.

It’s about enjoying the experience in a way that’s right for you.

And remember, even if the dips are the highlight, the boat journey, the islands and the opportunity to see these extraordinary places from the water are adventures in themselves.

Come with your curiosity, your sense of adventure and perhaps a little excitement about doing something you’ve never done before!

📅 Adventure details

Departure: Dunbar Harbour, East Lothian

Destinations: Bass Rock and the Isle of May, Firth of Forth

Duration: Full-day boat adventure

Swimming: Up to two guided wild dips, one at each island, subject to suitable conditions and wildlife protection requirements

Lunch: Please bring your own packed lunch, drinks and snacks

What to bring: Your usual sea-swimming kit, suitable thermal protection, tow float, warm clothing, suitable footwear and plenty of layers for travelling on the boat.

Full joining info and kit list will be shared before the adventure.

🛟 Water safety, wildlife and weather conditions

Safety and respect for the natural environment are at the heart of every Take to the Water adventure.

Our route, swimming locations and activities will be carefully planned around the weather, tides, sea state, visibility and the wildlife present around the islands.

Please note: As this is an offshore boat adventure, we may need to alter our planned route, swimming locations, number of dips or itinerary depending on weather and sea conditions.

In some circumstances, the trip may need to be postponed or cancelled if conditions are unsuitable.

Both islands are important protected wildlife sites. Any swimming will be dependent on appropriate permissions, access restrictions and the absence of disturbance to wildlife. Whilst we have permission from Nature Scot, if swimming at either island is not appropriate, an alternative suitable location may be considered.

The skipper and swim leaders will make decisions with everyone’s safety and the protection of wildlife in mind.

All participants will receive a safety briefing before entering the water.

We will always respect the sea, the wildlife and the conditions we’re given on the day.

🌊 Two islands. Two swims. One rather extraordinary adventure.

There are some places in Scotland that we look at from the shore and think…

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to experience that from the water?

Bass Rock and the Isle of May are two of those places.

And now, together with Blue Wild Boat Tours, we’re hoping to make that experience possible.

A day of exploring.

Two iconic islands.

The possibility of two unforgettable wild dips.

Wildlife, history, beautiful scenery and lunch with a sea view.

And, of course, a little laughter along the way.

A first for Take to the Water – and we’d love you to be part of it.

Come and find your own place in the water… beside two of Scotland’s most remarkable islands. 🌊🐦

If you should need to cancel 100% less bank admin fees will eb refunded up to 6 months before date of your booked adventure. 50% will be refunded, less bank charges up to 2 months before the adventure. Sadly no refund can be given after this date. If we should need to cancel a 100% refund will be made.

We aim, in line with our values, for our adventures to be as inclusive as possible. If you have any queries, please contact us so we can chat it through with you.