When we planned our trip to Scotland, taking a Loch Ness boat tour was at the top of our list of things to do. Nessie legends aside, Loch Ness is one of the most famous lakes in the world, and we wanted to see it for ourselves. Did it live up to the hype? What boat operator should you book? We’ll tell you all about our experience to help you plan your trip.
We booked a one-hour boat ride with Loch Ness Cruises, a small family-owned operator based in Drumnadrochit, right next to the kitschy Nessieland visitor center. As touristy as Nessieland feels, it’s actually the perfect starting point because you’re thrown straight into the lore before you even step foot on the boat.
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Selecting the Tour Operator
From Inverness, the main player in the boat tour world is Jacobite Cruises. They’re the bigger outfit, with multiple boats, bus transportation options, and an easy setup overall. They’re great if you want everything arranged for you from the city center.
But we wanted something a little quieter and more personal. Loch Ness Cruises was the right choice for us. Their boats hold only a dozen guests, which made the whole thing feel less like a touristy excursion (you can also book private rides). It just felt like a relaxed ride on the water with a guide who genuinely loves what he does.
Getting from Inverness to Drumnadrochit was easy. We hopped in a taxi through the SafeKab app, which was fairly expensive, but buses run regularly as well, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative.
Our Guide Mike
Our captain and tour guide, Mike, deserves his own section here. First, his voice is perfect for storytelling: cheerful, deep, and clear. Throughout the ride, he wove together history, folklore, and practical facts about the loch, all while steering us across the water (or putting the boat on autopilot).
He shared the story of a local couple in the 1930s who claimed to see an enormous animal in the loch. Though it wasn’t the first Nessie sighting, the story caught on Loch Ness has been under constant watch ever since with cameras and sonar scans trying to catch proof of the monster below the surface.
About the Lake Itself
Even if Nessie had never been part of the story, Loch Ness is worth visiting for the scenery alone. It’s not the deepest lake or largest by surface area, but it is the largest lake by volume in the UK, at about 23 miles long and nearly 750 feet deep. It actually contains more water than all of the lakes in England and Wales combined.
Mike told us about swimmers who have braved the entire length of Loch Ness. Swimming the entire length takes more than 10 hours, even for elite athletes, due to the freezing temperatures and unpredictable winds. We’ll stick to the boat!
The Ride Experience
Our boat was enclosed but had windows and an open-air section at the back, so we could pop outside for photos when the rain let up.
Scotland weather being what it is, we did get a few sprinkles, but nothing more. There was also some room up on top of the boat but we mostly stayed downstairs and had plenty of great views.
The one-hour duration was perfect. It was enough time to soak it in, hear the stories, and take plenty of photos without feeling rushed or too long.
The small group size also made the experience amazing. Even if you’re not into Nessie lore, it was a fun and relaxed boat ride on the loch that made a perfect excursion from Inverness.
Our Verdict
If you’re staying in Inverness, a Loch Ness boat tour is easy to fit into your itinerary, and it’s absolutely worth it. We liked the smaller, family-run vibe of Loch Ness Cruises, but if you prefer something bigger and more structured, Jacobite is also a solid choice. Jacobite passengers can also opt to disembark and tour the Urquhart castle ruins.
Either way, Loch Ness is more than just the Nessie legend. The myths are fun, but the real magic is in the landscape itself with the vast, dark waters, rolling hills, and bit of mystery.
Would we recommend it? Of course, you know the answer is 100%. It’s a classic experience in the Scottish Highlands, and while you probably won’t spot Nessie outside of the gift shops, you’ll come away with great memories from a beautiful lake and a relaxing boat ride (weather permitting, of course).
👉 If you want to explore more, here’s the company we used: Loch Ness Cruises.
Pro Tip
Our taxi back to Inverness took about an hour to arrive through the SafeKab app, which was no big deal. You can tour the Loch Ness Center or have a pint at the Drum Hotel while you wait.
You’ll need to factor in that the taxi cost £80 round trip. So, the whole experience, including the boat ride, worked out to be about £40 per person for our party of four.
Have you been to Loch Ness? Was your experience worth it? Let us know in the comments.
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This is a dream of mine, I used to be obsessed with the monster as a kid.
Love it! The small family-run boat ride is perfect. Definitely just your style 😄