We found Loch Dunvegan very picturesque, the village has good shops and the campsite is also pretty decent.
We viewed the lochs on the west side of Skye from the road and found them less enticing.
Assuming you have accommodation on Skye then I think a recce would yield several options for launching – there seem to be small boats at the head of most of the lochs.
I think for starting a cruise Plockton or Arisaig have big advantages over Skye