Wildlife trip off Mull is No 2 tour in world

By Moira Kerr
Published on 10/09/2012 05:05

AN ISLAND boat operator has been ranked number two in a list of the world’s ten great wildlife tours.

Mull Charters, which runs sea eagle trips, has beaten tour ­operators in wildlife havens such as the Galapagos islands and Costa Rica to the runner-up spot on the newly published TripAdvisor list.

It is the only UK tour to feature, beaten only by a safari day trip operator in Kenya.

Martin Keivers, who runs Mull Charters off the west coast of the isle of Mull, said: “This is fantastic news for us and great for Mull to have a place ranked so highly amongst other countries including, Africa, Australia, Canada and all the other wildlife destinations.

“We are really proud of achieving this in only our fourth season.”

Mr Keivers, 50, and his wife, Judith, run a bed and breakfast business in Salen, Mull, and he used to supplement their income by cutting grass.

He said he started the boat trips by chance: “I had a grasscutting round, but I injured my knee and was looking for something else to do.

“We have always had boats and were interested in wildlife, so I asked Dave Sexton, the ­island’s RSPB officer, about running a trip to see the sea eagles.”

Numbers on the boat are limited, so that everyone gets a good view and Mr Keivers said the sea eagles appear on virtually every trip.

Dolphins, otters, minke whales and a host of sea birds often make an appearance too.

The latest TripAdvisor report on Mull Charters, written on Tuesday by Elaine M, states that “Martin is a fantastic host” and added: “We saw not only the two young sea eagles from this year’s brood practicing their flying on the hillside, but the parent birds as well. Now I can’t really put into words how breathtaking these magnificent birds are. We got a fantastic view and felt very privileged to see them at such close quarters.”

Another reviewer said: “Martin was first class with his advice and knowledge of the sea eagles located in the area.”

Gary C said: “I will never forget the sight of the sea eagle swooping down and taking a fish literally metres in front of us.”

Mr Keivers said: “We have worked hard and taken advice from the RSPB to put together the trip to see the white tailed sea eagles and make it possible for people to 
really ­appreciate these amazing birds. Some people are moved to tears when they see the eagles.

“They are usually quite emotional.”

TOP TEN TOURS

1 Julius Safaris Day Trips

Ukunda, Kenya

2 Mull Charters, Isle of Mull

Scotland (pictured below)

3 Archipelago Wildlife Cruises Vancouver Island, Canada

4 Dan Irby’s Mangrove Adventures

Daintree Village, Australia

5 Nature Specialist Private Tours

Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

6 Ocean Friendly Whale

Watching Tours

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

7 Jackson Hole Eco Tour Aventures

Jackson Hole, United States

8 Wild Wings Safaris

Nelspruit, South Africa

9 Espaco Talassa - Whales and Dolphins of Queimada

Lajes, Portugal

10 Galapagos Unbound - ROW Day Tours and Adventures

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador