Currency
British Pound Sterling (GBP)
Language
English, Scottish Gaelic
Time Zone
GMT (UTC+0)
Best Time to Visit
Apr–May
Typical Duration
10-11 nights
Price Range
Price data not available
Port Type
Port of Call
Tender Port
Yes
Gateway to the remote Scottish Hebrides and pristine wilderness areas including St. Kilda Archipelago and Isle of Skye, ideal for expedition cruisers seeking authentic Scottish island culture and dramatic landscapes.
Cruises that visit Isle of Islay
Build Your Day in Isle of Islay
Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.
Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM
Usually about 10 hours ashore
Getting around:
Peatzeria - Restaurant and Takeaway
Incredible food, impeccable service and a very relaxing ambiance.
Port Charlotte Hotel
cosy bar in beautiful setting,friendly staff and good whisky selection
Kilchoman Distillery
Tours of modern malt whisky distillery
Closed · Opens 9:30 AM Sun
Islay
Island known for wildlife, golf & whisky
Ballygrant Inn
One of the best pub on Islay with a huge selection of Islay whiskies.
The Harbour Inn
Didn’t stay here but had breakfast several times during my stay on Islay.
Co-op Food - Islay Bowmore - Main Street
Great selection of products.
Open · Closes 10 PM
Machir Bay
The best beach on Islay, over a mile of wide sandy beach, great for walking.
Lochindaal Seafood Kitchen
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Bowmore Hotel Restaurant
Great atmosphere, food, and service, and an incredible whisky list!
Islay Oyster Shed
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 10 AM Sat
The Museum of Islay Life
Wonderful small and local museum about the history of Islay.
Closed · Opens 10:30 AM Mon
Ardnahoe Distillery
Onsite services
Closed · Opens 9:30 AM Sat
Bridgend Restaurant & Katie's Bar
Dine-in·No delivery
Open now
Labels
Good food, wide selection, well cooked and reasonably priced.
Closed · Opens 9 AM Sat
Craigard Kitchen of Ballygrant
The food was really reasonably priced and very tasty.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Sat
The Celtic House
All very reasonably priced with very pleasant and helpful staff
Closed · Opens 9:30 AM Sat
Port Mor Community Cafe
The friendliest staff, amazing views onto the sea, great food for the price.
Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Sat
The Deli Den
Onsite services
Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Sat
The Islay Whisky Vault
The well-appointed shelves, erudite staff, and their prices took the cake;
Closed · Opens 11 AM Sat
Islay Ales
Great tasting beers and whiskies, and excellent value for money.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Sat
Saligo Bay Beach
On low tide you can access rock formations with rock pools.
Mactaggart Leisure Centre
We had the pool to ourselves for just under an hour!
Closes soon · 8 PM
Sanaigmore Beach
Beautiful unspoilt beach and well sheltered
The Strand Beach - Laggan Bay
A beach right next to the Islay airport.
The Islay Shop
Good selection of books, gifts and clothes
Closed · Opens 9:30 AM Sat
Machir Bay Beach
Best beach on Islay, Great walking on about a mile of sandy beach.
Islay Home Stores
Great selection & variety of goods
Closed · Opens 9:30 AM Sat
The Islay Whisky Shop
Even the most unusual products can be found there.
Closed · Opens 9 AM Sat
BiIly's Bench
The Port Charlotte Hotel - Restaurant & Bar
Dine-in·No takeout·No delivery
Islay Natural History Trust
Could of spent hours here so much to see.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Mon
DUFFIE'S BAR
It is open, unlike others, beer and good service!
Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.
About Isle of Islay
Isle of Islay serves as a port of call for adventurous cruisers exploring Scotland's rugged Hebridean islands. Two specialty cruise lines—HX Expeditions and Adventure Canada—offer seven upcoming itineraries from this remote Scottish destination, with most voyages spanning ten nights. Spring months of April and May see peak activity, making this an ideal time to experience the island's wild, windswept character alongside fellow expedition-minded travelers.
Passengers disembarking here will find themselves in one of Scotland's most distinctive whisky-producing regions, where distilleries dot the landscape and local culture runs deep. Beyond the port, cruises typically venture to equally captivating nearby islands including Skye, Lewis, and the dramatic St. Kilda Archipelago, offering passengers an immersive journey through some of the British Isles' most spectacular and remote coastal scenery.
Passengers disembarking here will find themselves in one of Scotland's most distinctive whisky-producing regions, where distilleries dot the landscape and local culture runs deep. Beyond the port, cruises typically venture to equally captivating nearby islands including Skye, Lewis, and the dramatic St. Kilda Archipelago, offering passengers an immersive journey through some of the British Isles' most spectacular and remote coastal scenery.
Cruise Lines at Isle of Islay
- HX Expeditions (4 cruises)
- Adventure Canada (1 cruise)
Cruises Departing From Isle of Islay
Cruises Visiting Isle of Islay
Ship Schedule at Isle of Islay
Isle of Islay Location
Other Cruise Ports in Scotland
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Isle of Islay known for?
Islay is famous for its peaty single malt whiskies and coastal scenery.
Where is the Isle of Islay located?
Islay is off the west coast of Scotland, in the Inner Hebrides.
How can I visit Islay's distilleries?
Many distilleries offer tours; arrange in advance and check opening times.
What outdoor activities are popular on Islay?
Birdwatching, wildlife trips, beaches, and coastal hikes.