Wildlife
The waters around Stroma are alive with movement, noise and flashes of colour.
The island’s rugged cliffs, tidal races and sheltered coves create a haven for marine life and seabirds you won’t find gathered together so closely anywhere else in Caithness.
Nothing is staged, nothing is predictable, and that’s the magic of a
Stroma Wildlife Cruise
Our Wildlife
Grey seals
These captivating marine mammals are a frequent and cherished sight within the Pentland Firth, often observed basking lazily on the myriad of rocky outcrops and skerries that punctuate the coastline surrounding the historic Isle of Stroma.
Their remarkably curious eyes often follow the passage of boats with an almost intelligent gaze, making them truly an iconic and integral part of the island’s wild, rugged coastal charm and a highlight for any visitor.
Killer whales
To witness a pod of magnificent orcas, the apex predators of the marine world, navigating the powerful currents of the Pentland Firth is an absolutely unforgettable and truly awe-inspiring spectacle for anyone fortunate enough to behold it.
These incredibly powerful and intelligent creatures are known to patrol the productive waters quite close to the Isle of Stroma, their presence serving as a profound testament to the extraordinarily rich and abundant feeding grounds surrounding the island.
Risso's Dolphins
Agile, highly intelligent, and inherently social, the Risso’s Dolphins of the Pentland Firth frequently delight both local residents and visitors alike with their spectacular and breathtaking acrobatic displays.
They thrive immensely in the incredibly productive and nutrient-rich currents that swirl with impressive force near the Isle of Stroma, often seen gracefully leaping and playfully navigating the waves as they expertly hunt for their prey.
Puffins
During the vibrant and bustling spring and summer months, the dramatic, towering cliffs of the Isle of Stroma are miraculously transformed into a bustling and lively haven for charming puffins.
These truly charismatic ‘sea parrots,’ with their distinctive brightly coloured beaks, diligently return to their meticulously dug burrows, adding an incredibly vibrant and utterly captivating burst of colour and activity to the island’s already dramatic and picturesque coastline.
Minke Whales
The minke whale, a smaller yet undeniably impressive and graceful baleen whale, can be regularly spotted as it elegantly navigates the deeper, more expansive waters of the Pentland Firth.
These gentle giants occasionally surface with a powerful exhalation near the ancient Isle of Stroma, their sudden appearance serving as a powerful and humbling reminder of the vast and diverse ocean life that is so wonderfully sustained and nourished by these extraordinarily powerful currents.
Harbour Porpoises
Harbour porpoises are often referred to as ‘puffing pigs’, due to the noise they make when they blow. They diligently patrol the often turbulent and swirling waters in the immediate vicinity of the Isle of Stroma.
Their distinctive quick, silent, and rolling movements are a subtle yet immensely rewarding and special sight for exceptionally keen and patient observers who are willing to take the time to watch carefully.
Gannets
With their truly impressive and expansive wingspans and their spectacular, arrow-like dive-bombing fishing techniques, gannets are an incredibly prominent and noticeable feature of the Pentland Firth’s abundant and diverse avian life.
They frequently command the airspace directly above the Isle of Stroma, dramatically plunging into the choppy sea with truly incredible speed and astonishing precision in their relentless pursuit of fish.
Shags
These elegant, dark-plumaged seabirds, known for their sleek appearance, are perfectly and wonderfully adapted to the often harsh and challenging coastal environment of the Isle of Stroma.
You will very frequently observe them perched perfectly still on exposed rocks, diligently spreading and drying their wings after an undeniably successful and productive dive for fish within the powerful and ever-moving tides that surge around the island’s edges.
Otters
Guilliemots
Guillemots are among the most numerous and noticeable residents on Stroma’s towering sea cliffs, forming dense, bustling colonies that fill the air with constant sound and activity.
These striking, penguin-like birds gather in vast numbers, often standing shoulder-to-shoulder on narrow ledges, their dark plumage a stark contrast against the grey rock.
Watching their determined flights and dramatic dives into the churning sea for fish offers an incredible spectacle of nature’s efficiency.
RAZORBILLS
Razorbills, close cousins to the guillemot, share the steep cliff faces of Stroma, distinguishable by their heavier, more compressed, and razor-sharp beaks used adeptly for catching agile fish.
They are typically slightly less numerous than the guillemots but are equally fascinating to observe, often choosing the slightly more secluded, sheltered ledges and crevices for nesting.
Their strong, direct flight and expert hunting dives provide a thrilling glimpse of true North Atlantic seabird resilience and life on the exposed coastal edge.
Kitiwakes
Kittiwakes are elegant, graceful gulls that make their nests in sheer, vertical sections of the cliffs where few other birds can manage to cling on securely.
Known for their distinctive, melodic cry that gives them their name, these birds are social and charming to watch as they delicately tend to their simple, yet secure, nests built from grass and mud.
Witnessing their buoyant, almost buoyant flight patterns across the choppy waves adds a touch of aerial ballet to the rugged, vibrant coastal ecosystem.
Skuas
Skuas patrol the skies around Stroma with a confidence that borders on audacity, their powerful, broad-winged silhouettes cutting sharply across the wind-whipped cliffs.
These formidable seabirds are famous for their bold behaviour, often swooping low over colonies in search of an opportunity, their dark plumage and fierce gaze setting them apart from the island’s more delicate wildlife.
Watching a skua in action – chasing other birds mid-air, diving with precision, or fiercely defending its territory – is to witness raw, untamed energy woven into the rhythms of island life.
Wildlife Sightings
While the Pentland Firth is a bustling home for a huge variety of species, nature doesn’t work on a schedule!
Every trip is unique, and while we can’t guarantee which specific animals will make an appearance, there is always something spectacular to see.
Whether it’s the puffins diving for sandeels or seals lounging on the rocks of Stroma, every cruise is a new adventure.
Select YOUR EXPERIENCE
Choose your Pentland Firth adventure! Explore the historic Isle of Stroma on our dedicated cruise, or embark on our exhilarating Wildlife Cruise to marvel at the Firth’s incredible marine life.