It boasts unique sites such as St. Kilda, a remote Scottish archipelago that’s one of the few double Unesco World Heritage Sites, and The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.

Another significant highlight is its rich cultural heritage of ongoing Celtic and Gaelic traditions, as well as the plethora of ancient castles, medieval ruins and long-deserted settlements that go back thousands of years and span Viking invasions, Roman conquests and Tudor history.

The British Isles is an exciting destination for an expedition cruise, and thanks to television series such as Wild Isles it’s becoming increasingly appealing to the domestic market too – and an ideal option for the more sustainably minded traveller.

When to go?

Spring and early summer are the best times to explore the British Isles, when temperatures are at their warmest and the flora and fauna is blooming. Wildlife enthusiasts will also benefit from seeing birds during their spring migration.

Most British Isles cruises operate during May or June, but there are usually itineraries available from April through to September; although often with a limited number of departures. 

Where to go?

British Isles expedition cruises usually start on England’s south coast and sail up the west coast towards the Hebrides before returning back via different ports, visiting a range of different islands and coastal highlights across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

There are also a number of cruises that combine the British Isles, or Scotland in particular, with destinations further north, such as Iceland, Norway and the Faroe Islands.

One of the great advantages of a British Isles cruise to the UK market is that flights often aren’t necessary, reducing costs as well as travel time and making it a more sustainable choice for domestic travellers too.

Take a deeper dive into the British Isles and discover which operators offer the region