Best time to cruise · Best time to go
British Isles cruises in July
Usually the warmest month, with highs in the mid-60s °F (18–19°C) and occasional warmer spells. Highland games take place across Scotland, and school holidays begin in Scotland and Ireland, then England later in the month. Midges bite on still evenings in the western Highlands and Skye, so pack repellent.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 64°F
- 17 hrs daylight
Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
British Isles in July: Best time to go
Usually the warmest month, with highs in the mid-60s °F (18–19°C) and occasional warmer spells. Highland games take place across Scotland, and school holidays begin in Scotland and Ireland, then England later in the month. Midges bite on still evenings in the western Highlands and Skye, so pack repellent.
Across British Isles cruise ports, July brings average highs around 64°F (18°C) and lows near 55°F, with about 3.4 inches of rain over the month and roughly 17 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- May to September; a few sailings in April and October
- Average high / low
- 64°F / 55°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.4 in
- Daylight
- About 17 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 10 to 14 nights round trip; 7-night Scotland or Ireland sailings also run
What to pack: layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes.
How July compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: No regular sailings
- Feb: No regular sailings
- Mar: No regular sailings
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Good time to go
- Jun: Best time to go
- Jul: Best time to go
- Aug: Best time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: No regular sailings
- Dec: No regular sailings
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
British Isles weather in July
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 468 | 468 | 489 | 5111 | 5714 | 6116 | 6418 | 6418 | 6116 | 5613 | 5110 | 489 |
| Low °F (°C) | 404 | 404 | 405 | 426 | 478 | 5211 | 5513 | 5513 | 5312 | 4910 | 457 | 426 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.1104 | 3.692 | 3.588 | 2.358 | 2.667 | 2.769 | 3.486 | 3.692 | 3.794 | 4.5114 | 4.3109 | 4.9125 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
July weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh (Leith & South Queensferry) | 65°F | 53°F | 3.5 in | 17 h |
| Dublin | 65°F | 55°F | 3.4 in | 17 h |
| Belfast | 63°F | 54°F | 3.7 in | 17 h |
| Greenock (for Glasgow) | 64°F | 53°F | 5.0 in | 17 h |
| Invergordon (for Inverness & Loch Ness) | 65°F | 52°F | 3.7 in | 17 h |
| Kirkwall, Orkney | 58°F | 53°F | 3.4 in | 18 h |
| Cobh (for Cork) | 67°F | 55°F | 3.1 in | 16 h |
| Liverpool | 66°F | 56°F | 3.3 in | 17 h |
| Portree, Isle of Skye | 60°F | 54°F | 4.7 in | 17 h |
| Lerwick, Shetland | 56°F | 53°F | 3.0 in | 18 h |
| St Peter Port, Guernsey | 63°F | 61°F | 1.7 in | 16 h |
| Southampton (London) | 74°F | 57°F | 2.2 in | 16 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in July
British Isles in July: FAQs
Is July a good time to cruise British Isles?
Yes, it's one of the best months. Usually the warmest month, with highs in the mid-60s °F (18–19°C) and occasional warmer spells. Highland games take place across Scotland, and school holidays begin in Scotland and Ireland, then England later in the month. Midges bite on still evenings in the western Highlands and Skye, so pack repellent.
What is the weather like on a British Isles cruise in July?
Across British Isles cruise ports, July brings average highs around 64°F (18°C) and lows near 55°F, with about 3.4 inches of rain over the month and roughly 17 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a British Isles cruise in July?
Pack layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise British Isles?
May to September; a few sailings in April and October. The best months are usually June, July, August.
Where else can I cruise in July?
July is also a top month for Bermuda, Alaska, Canada & New England, Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.