How to book a boat trip to the Farne Islands to see extraordinary wildlife. Spot Puffins galore and so much more…

….including Razorbills, Guillemots, Terns, Seals, Cormorants, Black Headed Gulls, Shags, Eider ducks, Kittiwakes, Grace Darling and, if you’re VERY lucky, maybe even Dolphins!

Our very first time seeing Puffins in the wild was an unforgettably magical experience. The Farne Islands area an absolute must-see for any visit to Northumberland.

HOW TO visit the Farne Islands
WHEN TO see what birds & seals
First time seeing Puffins
Farne Islands overview
Dogs
Toilets
Planning tips
Weather
Puffin facts

With Wild Daddy’s job dragging us round the country we get to visit lots of places we otherwise wouldn’t and our house move to Northumberland in 2015 meant only one thing; a chance to see Puffins!

What cool little bird dudes they are. One of the UK’s most exotic avians and such clumsy looking characters, I have longed to see them in the wild for my whole life.

Check out this astounding birdlife on our first boat trip to Northumberland’s Farne Islands

Image of kittiwakes-and-razorbill-sharing-nest-site-on-cliff-face
Image of grey-seals-basking-on-rocky-coastline
Image of Shags-nesting-on-cliffs
Image of shag-chicks-on-nest-overlooking-precipitous-cliffs-with-other-seabirds
Image of puffins-in-a-row-on-clifftop

To help entertain Caroline on the 6-hour journey north we bought her a Schleich Puffin in anticipation of seeing one in the wild. We then not-so patiently waited for five long months until Puffin breeding season on the Farne Islands and finally visited in mid-May when the 28 islands are teeming with birds.

puffin-on-rock-looking-downwards-inner-farne

Did you know Puffins lose their rainbow beaks after breeding?

Farne Island boat trips

The Farnes can only be accessed by boat, from Seahouses harbour in north Northumberland.

Are dogs allowed on the Farne Islands?

Some of the boats are dog-friendly but dogs, including assistance dogs, are NOT allowed to land on the islands. Dog sitters advertise at the harbour should you wish to leave your dog on shore – check when booking.
(We took Fidgie once and whilst he was fine in the boat, he apparently whined the whole time we were on the island, so we left him home for subsequent visits).

Farne Islands tour operators

Two main boat companies run daily from Seahouses Harbour (subject to sea conditions); Billy Shiel’s Boat Trips and Serenity Tours. Buy tickets online or at the Seahouses harbour kiosks. There are various wildlife cruises and excursions for all interests and ages including:

  • Sunset tours
  • Seal-only trips
  • Landing cruises

Both companies provide excellent commentary on the wildlife, the land- and seascape and local history.

National Trust landing fees

A landing fee is payable to the National Trust though NT members are exempt so don’t forget your membership cards.

Are there toilets?

Both companies use large catamarans as well as smaller boats. Some include toilets so check when booking if this is a necessity for you. If not, there are toilets on Inner Farne for those booking a landing tour.

Landings usually allow an hour on Inner Farne with the rest of the time spent sailing around the other islands learning about their history, the seabirds and the story of Grace Darling’s incredible shipwreck rescue.

Image of girl-with-binoculars-leaning-over-harbour-wall
Image of eider-duck-male-waling-on-seaweed-northumberland

Even before boarding Caroline spotted an Eider duck in the harbour, an auspicious start to our visit

For our very first trip we chose a 2.5 hour cruise through Billy Shiels with an hour on Inner Farne. We’ve since been several times with Serenity too but you always remember the first. We have genuinely loved every trip and each one is completely different to the last.

Spectacular wildlife

It was an incredible experience! I was blown away by the sheer number of birds and their proximity to the UK mainland, and at how close you are able to get to them. We’ve all seen the Farnes on TV documentaries but it is hard to describe the impact of seeing it all in person.

colony-of-nesting-razorbills-and-guillemots-farne-islands
precipitous-cliffs-covered-in-nesting-seabirds

The beauty of the birds at close quarters and their fearlessness with humans on Inner Farne is enchanting. The way the different species share the same habitat, the way they cram into every possible nesting space no matter how precarious.

The noise of the seabirds. The smell on the islands, the constant activity. I was in awe for the whole visit, definitely my most memorable wild adventure so far (though not quite as emotional as my first whale watching experience)

What to see when

The wildlife you see on your trip will depend on the time of year you visit. I’ve included the basics below.

Note that landing is not possible from November to February inclusive. There is still wildlife to spot from on board but not as up-close as the rest of the year.

We were a little too early in the season to see young puffins – called Pufflings! – but have since returned at fledging time as well as for the Longstone lighthouse cruise, where Grace Darling’s incredible wild adventure occurred, and a sunset photography cruise.

PUFFINS – April to July.
Pufflings start hatching underground in May, visible above ground when leaving the islands around July.

EIDER DUCKS, AUKS, other SEABIRDS, TERNS – April to September.
Eiders are usually gone by July. Guillemot babies, called Jumplings, can be seen leaping off the cliffs to leave the islands in July, particularly in the evenings. A gorgeous sight.

ARCTIC TERNS – May to August.
Late May for chick hatching – hold on to your hats!

SEALS – all year round.
The best time for pups is October to January

DOLPHINS – all year round but only if the Dophins decide!

It is fascinating to note the differences when visiting at different times of year; just 3 months and the tern nest sites are gone and the whole island is knee-deep in wildflowers and foliage, most Puffins are gone and the air is much quieter!

There were more seals on our second trip, and the rare experience of dolphins playing around our boat on the outbound sailing!!

Check the weather

blue-and-white-boat-leaving-seahouse-harbour

Although the Farne Islands are only a couple of miles offshore, a strong swell can prevent landing; due to unseasonable winds it was a week before we were able to book our trip – I rang daily to check sailing conditions as the boat companies keep a constant check on the forecast.

Farne Islands overview

  • Year-round boat trips
  • 28 islands!
  • Choice of cruise-only sailing or island landing (Inner Farne and Staple Island only)
  • Sail from Seahouses harbour NE68 7RN
  • Two tour operators – Billy Shiel and Serenity
  • Online booking OR book on the day at harbour kiosk
  • Landing fee payable to National Trust
  • NT members exempt from landing fee with membership card
  • Puffins – April to July
  • Seals – October to January for pups
  • Terns – April to September
  • Other seabirds – Spring and Summer
  • Child-friendly boats
  • No dogs on the islands
  • Dogs allowed on boats, or dog sitting services in Seahouses
  • St Cuthbert’s Chapel on Inner Farne
  • Gift shop, visitor information and toilets on Inner Farne
Image of razorbills-and-guillemots-close-up-on-white-rock-wall-farne-islands
Image of Arctic-tern-on-ground-with-sand-eel-in-mouth-farne-islands
Image of shag-preening-on-rocks
Image of guillemots-on-rocks-farne-islands

It’s safe to say that you will not be disappointed whenever you visit the Farnes. Nature is at her magical best on these uninhabited, windswept islands.

Image of isolated-beach-on-inner-farne
Image of kittiwake-and-chick-on-clifftop-nest
Image of grey-seal-head-above-water
Image of grace-darlings-red-and-white-striped-longstone-lighthouse-farne-islands

Child friendly boats

All the cruises are child friendly, with interesting live commentary. The Captain turns the boat at relevant sites so everyone gets a great view. My first trip was with 2 adults and 3 under-7’s; the second with 2 adults and 3 under-6 ‘s all of whom loved the experience.

For safety reasons children can not stand on seats during sailings.

There is an information centre and mini National Trust shop on Inner Farne as well as the Chapel of St Cuthbert to visit and toilets on the island.

Image of display-table-with-skulls-bones-and-feathers-information-centre-inner-farne
Image of girl-crouched-down-on-path-next-to-camouflages-eider-duck-sitting-on-nest
Image of woman-and-child-standing-on-cliff-with-seabirds-behind
Image of cliff-face-empty-of-birds

On one cruise, the captain even allowed children to pilot the boat en route home, possibly as it was the last cruise of the day. Many smiling faces onboard that afternoon, as you can imagine.

Top Tips for visiting the Farne Islands

  • Time of year – Puffins breed on the Farne Islands annually from April to late July with peak breeding in May and June and babies to be seen from June to July
  • Choose your cruise; sea-only or island-landing? If applicable check accessibility facilities for the relevant island if landing
  • Check weather beforehand in case landing is prevented
  • Be flexible – if boats can’t land be prepared to do a sea-only tour or postpone
  • Arrive early – parking can be busy in main season
  • Remember National Trust card for free landing
  • Dress appropriately – take waterproofs and warm layers in a small backpack. Even in summer the islands are windy and sea spray can be strong in a swell
  • Leave the dog at home – dogs may sail but not land and the Captain won’t appreciate being moored with a howling hound while you’re ashore! Harbourside adverts offer pet sitters for the duration of most trips
  • Take a camera – don’t forget spare film/memory card, batteries.
  • Take binoculars though not essential as you get so close to the birds anyway
  • Take snacks or a packed meal for longer cruises or if taking children
  • Wear a hat – the terns can be quite aggressive once their young hatch and will dive bomb perceived enemies with great abandon!
  • Look down – many eiders and terns nest very close to the path
Image of eider-duck-female-nesting-in-plants-on-the-ground
Image of arctic-tern-with-nest-and-egg-on-path
Image of black-headed-tern-on-nest with eggs-farne-islands
  • Take LOTS of photos
  • Stop, look and listen – take the time to just be. Sit and listen, watch the movement, soak up the smells and sounds. You can’t capture the feeling on camera.

“Wild wishes for a spectacular sailing and the wildlife trip of your dreams when you visit the fabulous Farnes”

Kids education zone

puffin-on-rock

What is a puffin?

  1. puf¦fin

    [ˈpʌfɪn]

    NOUN


    1. an auk (seabird) of northern and Arctic waters which nests in holes, with a large head and a massive brightly coloured triangular bill.


Puffin facts

  • Puffins spend most of their lives at sea, only coming to land to breed
  • My favourite fact ever; a baby Puffin is called a Puffling!
  • With a wing beat of 400 per minute they can fly up to 55 mph
  • They dig burrows making a small nest at the back lined with grass, seaweed and feathers
  • Puffins beaks are actually black, only turning colour during the short breeding season
  • They can hold up to 10 sand eels in their beak at once
  • They are also known as Sea Parrots or Clowns of the Sea
  • They grow about 30cm long and live up to 20 years
  • Puffins can dive to depths of 60m in search of fish
Image of puffin-standing-on-grass
Image of puffin-with-wings-outstretched-on-rocks

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Buy Puffin goodies!

Schleich Puffin
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