Wild Holidays in the UK: From Cowboy Ranches to Shark Swimming

In the UK, you can experience extraordinary holidays that rival exotic getaways. From swimming with sharks to cowboy cattle drives, these adventures are available without leaving the country.

You might think swimming with sharks, taking part in a cowboy cattle drive, or sleeping near lions would require a long flight and thousands of pounds. Surprisingly, all these thrilling activities can be done right here in the UK.

As part of our Best Of British travel series, we explore the most adventurous holidays available in the UK. These unique experiences range from husky sledging to waking up to giraffes outside your tent.

Discover Basking Sharks in Scotland

Swimming with sharks often brings to mind images of cage diving with great whites in South Africa or snorkeling with reef sharks in the Maldives. However, the UK's Atlantic coastline offers incredible marine life, including sharks, whales, and dolphins.

From May to October, basking sharks are frequently spotted in Scottish waters, particularly around the Inner Hebrides. Basking Shark Scotland provides boat trips around the Isle of Coll, where participants can snorkel or swim in the wild. These trips range from three to seven days.

A seven-day tour includes highlights such as searching for basking sharks, visiting Fingal’s Cave, and observing seal colonies. Guests can also enjoy whale and dolphin watching, exploring white sandy lagoons, and seabird watching from the boat. In July, there's a chance to see puffins at the Treshnish Isles, and experienced snorkelers can explore kelp forests and reefs.

Trip Details

The Isle of Coll serves as the base for these tours. Prices for the seven-day tour start at £1,330 per person, with private charters available for up to 12 guests starting at £13,300.