Dip & Chill
Our Dip & Chill Retreats are about detoxing from everyday life and reconnecting with nature. The only level of swimming experience you need is an ability to tread water. The waters in the Inner Hebrides are clean, crystal clear and teeming with marine life. Underwater kelp forests, epic waterfalls and curious seals provide a unique and wonderful experience.
There is no need to wear a wetsuit for our dips as we are not in the water for long periods of time. If you would like to challenge yourself to do a longer swim while you are here we can arrange that. We would advise wetsuits for longer swims.
Guided Swim Trek
Our guided swim retreats are aimed at swimmers who would like to challenge themselves to swim slightly longer distances, out to an island or rocky outcrop, or along the shoreline from one beach to another. Swimmers should be able to swim 8 lengths of a 25m pool without stopping. Breaststroke is fine.
Most of our swim spots are sheltered coves and some are more exposed and exhilarating. There is always the opportunity to do as much or as little as you like. Our swims are not about speed, or distance necessarily, and are more about challenging ourselves to explore and swim in beautiful wild surroundings. The waters up here are warmed by the Gulf Stream but wetsuits are advised for longer swims. Some of our swim spots are off the beaten track so we advise sturdy footwear and/or swim shoes.
Open Water Development Retreats
The air and water temperatures are relatively warm at this time of year so you can choose to dip or swim, wear a wetsuit or go in ‘skins’ (just a swimsuit). The level of swimming ability you need will depend on what you want to do while you are here. We discuss this with you on the first night and before every swim. You may find a short dip is enough on the first day but by Day 3 you have confidence to do a longer swim around a rocky outcrop and back.
Beginners Open Water Retreat
Our open water development retreats are all about building confidence in open water swimming. They’re perfect for swimmers who might be apprehensive about swimming in the sea or who lack experience swimming outdoors. Most of our swim spots are sheltered coves, some are more exposed and exhilarating. All cater for all abilities and you can do as much or as little as you like. The waters up here are warmed by the Gulf Stream but temperatures rarely get above 16 degrees, so wetsuits are advised for longer swims.
On our 5 night retreats we take a boat trip to Fingal’s Cave, one of Staffa’s spectacular sea caves immortalised by Mendelssohn in his Hebrides Overture. If we are lucky enough to have the right weather and sea conditions we can enjoy a breathtaking swim in the cave before heading off to Lunga, the largest of the Treshnish Isles, for some “puffin therapy”.
On all of our retreats we visit the serene and spiritual island of Iona, the birthplace of Christianity and burial place of 48 Scottish Kings including MacBeth. Our guide takes us to a hidden beach where we can enjoy a swim in the island’s famed emerald green waters.
At the house we have a choice of activities to include yoga and massage or you can just kick back and relax in the wood-fired hot tub.
The waters in the Inner Hebrides are clean, crystal clear and teeming with marine life. Underwater kelp forests, epic waterfalls and curious seals provide a unique and wonderful experience.
For more details and to book our 2025 and 2026 retreats please visit: www.wildhebrideanswimming.com/retreats
Prices include: Transfers from and to the ferry terminal at Craignure on the Isle of Mull; food and drink at Achaban House; yoga; boat trip to Staffa and Lunga, a walking tour of Iona; loan of equipment; open water skills and stroke technique coaching.
For further information please don’t hesitate to contact Emma on 07770 483 063 or via email: [email protected].
