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The Farne Islands in Northumberland

An update about the farne islands.

Inner Farne will once again be open for visitor landings from 25 March 2024.

David Attenborough - approved islands

Scattered a couple of miles off the coast of Seahouses , this cluster of islands was declared by Sir David Attenborough as his favourite place to see nature in the UK. Around 23 different varieties of birds can be spotted here, including colourful puffins who reunite with the same mate each year. Head to Seahouses between March – October and book a Farne Islands boat trip at one of the wooden kiosks that line the harbour. Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours , Billy Shiel Boat Trips  or the Golden Gate Farne Island Tours  all sail daily in the summer months and at weekends and school holidays throughout the year, weather permitting.  Look out for the island’s colony of grey or Atlantic seals lazing on the rocks or bobbing inquisitively in the sea. The islands have the largest breeding colony in England  and fluffy, white seal pups can be seen on the islands from late October. If seeing the seabird spectacle is your goal, plan your visit between mid April and late July to see the largest number of razorbills, guillemots, eider duck and, of course, puffins. Remember to wear a hat - Arctic terns tend to swoop and dive-bomb unsuspecting visitors to protect their nests.

Serenity Farne Islands Boat Tours

Sailing to the Farne Islands throughout the year from Grey Seals Cruises and Landings trips to our special Sunset Cruises.

Billy Shiel Farne Islands Boat Trips

Sailings daily from Seahouses with a choice of half & full day landing trips, Grey Seal Cruise and sailings to Lindisfarne.

Golden Gate Farne Islands Boat Trips

The only boat licensed to land on Longstone Island plus unique access to tour the lighthouse Grace Darling's childhood home.

Watching Seals Responsibly

Discover some top tips to get the best experience when viewing seals at The Farne Islands.

DOWNLOAD PDF  

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Golden Gate Farne Islands Boat Trips

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Inner Farne National Trust Bird Sanctuary - 3 hr trip to the Farne Islands

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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GOLDEN GATE FARNE ISLANDS BOAT TRIPS (Seahouses) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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The Best Farne Islands Boat Trips for an Unforgettable Weekend of Puffins and Seals

Posted on 7th May 2019. In Activity Weekends , England , Nature & Outdoor , The Roundup

Setting sail to see the puffins, seals and dolphins that inhabit the Farne Islands is an absolutely must-do on your weekend trip to Northumberland. But don’t just take our word for it.

Sir David Attenborough declared the Farne Islands his favourite place in the UK to see nature and every year thousands of people hop aboard a Farne Islands boat trip to get up-close with the wildlife that lives there. 

About the Farne Islands

Lying a couple of miles off the coast of Seahouses in Northumberland, the scattering of islands are a National Trust-owned archipelago in the North Sea. They are 28 islands in total, split into two distinctive camps – the inner islands and outer islands.

The main inner islands include Inner Farne (which was home to St Cuthbert who lived there in solitude), Knoxes Reef, Megstone and West and East Wideopens. The outer group includes Brownsman, Big Harcar and Staple Island, amongst others. And the two groups of islands are separated by a long stretch of water known as Staple Sound.

Various boat trips take you to the islands from the harbour at Seahouses during March – October, offering a range of excursions for all ages. Here we look all the Farne Islands boat trips on offer so you can decide which one to book for an unforgettable weekend of wildlife watching

Seahouses – The Gateway to the Farnes

Seahouses is a coastal town that lies about 15 miles North-East of Alnwick. Sandwiched between dramatic Bamburgh and tranquil Beadnell, Seahouses has pragmatic fishing port roots, but shares the heady aspirations of a bustling seaside resort.

Take a wander around the town, and you will find a selection of shops, along with restaurants, pubs and takeaways (so you certainly won’t go hungry or thirsty). You can also take it easy on Seahouse’s Beach, with its undulating dunes and spectacular views.

The town is also known as The Gateway to the Farne Islands and it’s here in the harbour that the Farne Islands boat trips sail from.

Constructed in 1889 in a bid to enhance the local lime and fishing industries, the harbour (also known as North Sunderland Harbour) is still considered the beating heart of the town. It has a long and celebrated history and is a bustling port. There’s less in the way of commercial fishing nowadays, but there’s no shortage of boats and Farne Islands boat trips.

Head down to the harbour and book your trip at one of the little wooden kiosks that line up next to one another.

Pic Credit: Seahouses Development Trust

The Wildlife on the Farne Islands

Of the 28 islands, only three are accessible – Inner Farne, Staple and Longstone. In the past, the islands have played host to all sorts of residents, from soldiers to monks, but nowadays the only permanent island dwellers are the National Trust assistant rangers.

There might be a distinct lack of people, but there’s no shortage of wildlife. The Farne Islands are a haven for our feathered friends. Look up, and black-headed gulls whip and turn above you like a kitesurfer’s sail. Look down, and Eider ducks slide past self-consciously in the flat harbour waters, chests blushed with pink and tails dipped in green.

In fact, the Farne Islands are home to around 23 different species of birds, including puffins, terns, razorbills and guillemots.

The Farne Islands also provide a home for massive seal colonies and on a Farne Islands boat trip you’re sure to see the grey seals (known as Atlantic Seals) lazing on the rocks or bobbing in the cool waters, curiously near your boat.

There are thousands living here, and every autumn hundreds of pups are born, bolstering the numbers further. The National Trust keep a close eye on the population, counting the seals every year.

Why We Love Northumberland

"Northumberland is like putting your ear against the enormous chest of a giant and being struck dizzy by the fierce beating of his colossal heart." Claire, Ed-in-Chief

• Billy Sheil Farne Islands Boat Trips

As Farne Islands boat trips go, this one is almost as legendary as the islands themselves. Billy Sheil’s Boat Trips is a family-run firm with a long-standing reputation. Bobbing people out to the islands for over six decades, the company was managed by William Shiels MBE until his death in 2011.

The boat trip booking office is right by Seahouses harbour, and there are plenty of trips to choose from. This includes the Sunset Cruise, which involves a relaxing voyage around the Farne islands, enabling you to get a great view of the varied birdlife and seals. You can watch the sun set over Bamburgh Castle, and if you’re lucky, you might even see a dolphin or two.

Alternatively, you can take a four and a half hour trip departing from Seahouses and sailing around the Farne Islands to view the birds and seals. The trip takes you to Holy Island (you reach the Island at high tide, just as it becomes cut off from the mainland), which allows you to find out the true meaning of island dwelling.

You’ll spend two hours at Holy Island/Lindisfarne, providing ample time to discover its rich history. There’s the Priory Museum, Lindisfarne Castle, St Aidan’s Winery and the Museum of Island Life. Sight-seeing is thirsty work, but luckily the Island also boasts shops, pubs and cafes. The return journey allows for more sightseeing and you must keep an eye out for dolphins!

Billy Sheil also run other excursions, including one to Staple Island Bird Sanctuary, another to Inner Farne and a Grey Seal Cruise, as well as trips aboard a twelve seater boat known as the Ocean Explorer. Expect an exhilarating (but faster and bumpier ride). Dive charters, and private hire charters are also available from Billy Shiel. Dogs are allowed to accompany you on the boat trips (but not onto the islands).

The Nautical Nitty Gritty

• Serenity Farne Islands Boat Trips

Serenity Farne Island Boat Trips offers three modern and well-equipped catamarans – Serenity I, II and III. All have been purpose-built, the decks are all one level so its easy to walk around, and there are wildlife guides on hand to answer all your questions and needs.

Serenity offer all-year-round tours of the Farne Islands and all kinds of excursions, from landings on the islands so you can explore on foot, to trips designed with photographic opportunities in mind. There are also whale-watching trips on offer, too, along with sunset cruises and wildlife photography trips.

You could head to the Inner Farne with Serenity Farne Islands Boat Trips and take photographs of the wildlife (the particular tour takes around two and a half hours, with around an hour on Inner Farne).

Alternatively, you could visit Staple Island and take in the dramatic views of the Northumberland coastline. On both trips, you will see a wide range of seabirds including guillemots, razorbills and puffins. You can even combine the two with an all-day bird trip.

Pic credit: Serenity Farne Islands Boat Trips

• Golden Gate Farne Islands Boat Trips

If you’re interested in learning more about Grace Darling, then a trip aboard Golden Gate Boat Tours is for you.

Golden Gate offer the only boat trip to visit Grace Darling’s home in the Longstone Lighthouse, thanks to their skipper, George, who is the Trinity House lighthouse keeper – and, indeed, the only skipper licensed to land on the island of Longstone itself.

As well as a trip to Longstone Island (and tour of the lighthouse which is free), you can visit the bird sanctuaries on Inner Farne and Staple Islandswith Golden Gate Boat Tours.

There’s no additional landing fee to pay if you land on Longstone Island, and the views from the lighthouse itself are nothing short of spectacular. Golden Gate Farne Island Boat Trips also offer sunset cruises to Longstone Island and Lighthouse, and guests can book a private charter for more intimate events.

Pic Credit: Visit Nothumberland

• St. Cuthbert Farne Island Boat Trips

Operating trips to the Farne Islands since 1974, St. Cuthbert Farne Island Boat Trips have run four boats in total over the years. At the moment, they have two on the go: St. Cuthbert II and St Cuthbert III offering trips to both Inner Farne and Staple Island.

Inner Farne was the home of Saint Aidan and, latterly, Saint Cuthbert who lived and died on the island in 687 AD. There is a church on Inner Farne, which is thought to have been built around 1400 on the site where Saint Cuthbert lived the life of a hermit.

Staple Island is the main bird sanctuary for people who want to see guillemots, razorbills and puffins. Staple Island’s cliff faces afford fantastic views of the birds in their natural habitat and is an excellent site for nature photographers, but as one of the most exposed rocks, landing may not always be possible and are at the discretion of the skipper.

St. Cuthbert’s Farne Islands boat trips normally take around two and a half hours, and guests typically enjoy an hour on land. As the islands are owned by the National Trust, there is a landing fee to pay on arrival, but it’s worth it to enjoy the bird sanctuaries.

They also offer an excursion to Longstone Island. There’s no landing fee for this one and no bird sanctuary, but it’s a nice place for a stroll, or sit on the beach and enjoy a picnic.

Trips to Longstone Island normally last about 2 hours including 20-30 minutes on the Island.

National Trust Farne Island Landing Fees 2020 – 2021: 30th Mar to 30th Apr & 1st Aug to 3rd Nov – Adult: £7.70 Child: £ 3.90 Family: £19.30 | May, Jun & Jul – Adult: £11.60 Child: £5.80 Family £29.00 (Free landing to under 5s & N.T. members).

Graham Rowley on 2020-08-23 03:11:58

Claire on 2020-08-25 12:44:22, leave a reply cancel reply.

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In this article

• About The Farne Islands
• Where to Catch a Boat to the Farnes
• Wildlife on the Farnes
• Farne Island Landing Fees

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Golden Gate Farne Islands Boat Trips - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Boat trips to the Farne Islands

The Farne Islands are a group of 28 rocky islands off the coast of Northumberland. It’s no wonder Sir David Attenborough says they’re his favourite place to spot nature in the UK. As a national nature reserve, they’re home to some of our most important colonies of seals and seabirds, including puffins.  

A boat trip unlocks the islands in all their glory. As it’s only a short drive to Seahouses Harbour from our Berwick and Haggerston Castle holiday parks (around 25 and 35 minutes along the A1) they're well worth a visit on a boat trip from here.

How to get to the Farne Islands

What wildlife will you spot, what to bring on your farne islands boat trip.

The local town of Seahouses on the mainland offers Farne Islands boat trips. Before you head down to the harbour, there are a couple of tips to mention first. 

Before you visit Farne Islands  

As the islands are owned by the National Trust, you’ll need an admission ticket if you want to set foot on the islands themselves. If you’re already a member, you can grab a free ticket! If you're not a member, you can gain entry by buying admission. 

If you’re driving down from one of our parks, there’s a pay-and-display car park not too far from Seahouses Harbour, so it’s just a short walk to catch a boat ride. 

If you’re ready for a day of wildlife spotting, you can purchase a guide from the National Trust Farne Islands shop in Seahouses to use on your journey. 

Now you’re ready to set sail! Here are some great options that'll get you to the Farne Islands.

Golden Gate Farne Island Boat Trips  

Boat trips run between April and October, weather permitting. If you want to land on an island or sail around them and enjoy the salty sea air, there are boat trips available daily, when in season. Just head to the kiosk on the harbour around 15 minutes before your boat is due to embark.

Longstone Island boat trip 

Golden Gate is the only company with permission to land on Longstone Island and have access to the Longstone Lighthouse (with a small fee payable to the lighthouse owners if you want to go inside). 

If you’re worried that your four-legged friend isn't allowed to come too, then fear not! Golden Gate allows well-behaved dogs on leads to come aboard the boat and venture onto Longstone Island (although they’re not allowed in the lighthouse or the other islands). The trip takes around two hours. 

Inner Farne boat trip 

Inner Farne island is the largest of the Farne Islands and features the tiny medieval chapel of St Cuthbert. For this trip, you’ll disembark on the island with a visit to the chapel and look for the grey seal colonies and nesting seabirds. The trip takes around three hours. 

Sail-around boat trip 

If you fancy a pleasant sail around the islands, you can choose a Farne Islands boat trip that takes you on a tour around Staple Island, Inner Farne and Longstone Island. This is the shortest trip at around 1.5 hours.

Grey Seals  

The Farne Island seals are one of the largest colonies in the UK! You might spot a harbour seal too, but these are a rare sight here. Sailing past the islands is a wonderful way to spot seals relaxing on the beach in the summer as well as seal pups during the winter. 

Puffins  

These comical little birds are plentiful on the Farne Islands with up to 30,000 pairs in the warmer months! Known for their bright beaks and funny walk, you’ll easily spot them nesting on the islands. Their nests look like little burrows in the earth. If you visit in the winter, they might look slightly different – their beaks are greyer in the cold months and vibrant again once it warms up. 

Arctic Terns  

These birds can be quite feisty at times! They’re known to fly close to visitors to protect their young. Make sure you wear a hat when visiting. They often use the same nests year after year, though they’re been known more recently to move between islands.

Other wildlife

As the sea and island area here is such an important part of marine life, it’s home to dozens of species of birds including: 

Shags 

Guillemots 

Razorbills 

Eider ducks 

Kittiwakes 

If you are a passionate birdwatcher, make sure you take plenty of photos. What better way to spot wildlife than from a boat? Recently there have been more sightings of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, and even minke whales. You may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them cresting the waves as you sail past the islands.

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To stay comfy and safe during your trips, make sure you bring: 

Comfy shoes for walking about and for staying steady on the boat 

Hat to protect against the sun (and arctic terns!) 

Warm clothing and waterproof as it can get very wet, even on a dry day 

Binoculars to spot wildlife out at sea 

A camera to capture memories that last a lifetime!

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Inner Farne

This tour sails around all of the Farne Islands then lands on the fantastic diverse wildlife habitat of Inner Farne where St Cuthbert spent the latter part of his life and died there in 687AD. Inner Farne is the largest of all of the Farne Islands and also the most accessible. It is ideal for bird watchers and wildlife photographers, you can get incredibly close to thousands upon thousands of breeding birds!

During the breeding season expect to see thousands of Atlantic puffins, common guillemots, razorbills, eider ducks, Arctic, common and sandwich terns plus kittiwakes and other species of gulls.

Remember to bring a hat during the spring and summer breeding season!

Birds on the Farne Islands are currently being monitored for avian influenza by the National Trust. Customers will be notified in advance if Inner Farne is closed during their planned visit and alternatives offered.

Atlantic Puffin, Inner Farne © Alan Hewitt Photography

Sailing Information

*Child classed as aged 15 and under

• Please arrive 30 mins before your departure to collect your boarding pass. Failure to do so may result in your ticket being resold.
• This tour takes approximately 2.5 – 3 hours with a 1 hour landing on Inner Farne.
• The National Trust charge additional landing fees to non-members.
• Times and frequencies may change at short notice.
• Please note, dogs are not allowed on this trip. Sorry!
• The final decision to land on any of the Farne Islands is at the boat masters discretion.
• Although all of our vessels have wheelchair access, the Inner Farne is not wheelchair accessible, so we can’t allow chairs. Sorry!

National Trust Landing Information

National Trust members land free of charge on production of their membership cards. Children under 5 also land free of charge.

Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours Boat Tours Booking Office (Seasonal Opening) Seahouses Harbour Seahouses Northumberland NE68 7RN

Telephone: 01665 721667

Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours 7 Osborne Gardens Seahouses Northumberland NE68 7UF

Copyright © 2012–2024 All rights reserved: Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours | Alan Hewitt Photography.

Website by Alan Hewitt Photography.

The Best Time to See Farne Islands Puffins in Northumberland – an Essential 2024 Farne Islands Guide

By: Author Sophie Pearce

Posted on Last updated: January 1, 2024

Categories NORTHUMBERLAND , ENGLAND

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

One of the best adventures you could have in Northumberland is sailing over to the Farne Islands   during puffin season.  

That’s right, you don’t need to travel to Iceland or the Faroe Islands to see puffins. They’re also right here in the UK.  

Each year, thousands of Farne islands puffins land here in the hopes of making little pufflings with a mate. They show off that colourful beak, scoot into their burrows and lay eggs!

When you finally land on the island you can get up close and stand mere inches away from them.

It’s a magical experience that even David Attenborough loves to see ‘magnificent nature’.

Puffins only land here during the breeding season, so you need to plan your visit right.

Here is a complete travel guide for the Farne Islands and the very best time to see Farne Islands Puffins in Northumberland!

What are the Farne Islands?

The Farne Islands are a group of islands that sit off the coast of Northumberland in the UK.  

They sit nicely in between the fishing village of Seahouses and Bamburgh Castle on the coast around 2 or 3 miles out in the ocean.  

There are around 15 to 20 islands that you can see depending on the tide and they are divided into two groups; the Inner Group and the Outer Group. 

You can only land on 3 islands. The Inner Farne Islands, Longstone Island and Staple Island (May and July only).  

Every year between April and July, it is estimated that around 150,000 seabirds dive bomb (quite literally) on these islands for mating and included in that are around 43,000 pairs of puffins!

As well as seabirds, there is other wildlife including dolphins and grey seals. This is a big pupping site and every year around 2000 seal pups are born here in Autumn. Squeal!  

Farne Islands history

The Farne Islands have long been a site of pilgrimage and were home to many Celtic Christian hermits and monks.

The most famous of those was St Aidan and then St Cuthbert who lived here in the 7th century.

Cuthbert lived on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne for a while until he felt a calling to live as a hermit on the inner Farne Islands. He would lock himself away in a cell here for deep contemplation.

He only greeted people who made a voyage to see him through the window. He was like the ultimate anti-social!  

After a brief time as a bishop on Lindisfarne again, he came back to the island and died here.

Following that, it was home to a series of hermits with the last being Thomas De Melsonby in 1246.

In 1540 a Prior named Castell built the “Pele Tower” to house the monks living on the island.

But, After Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the monasteries, the island became the property of Durham Cathedral.  

It then switched hands to William Armstrong (who owned Bamburgh Castle) and now it is a property that’s owned and managed by the National Trust.  

A familiar name you may see around this area is Grace Darling. She was a daughter of lighthouse keeper on Longstone Island.

At just 22, she and her father rescued nine people from the wreck of the ‘Forfarshire’.   Her bravery gained national attention and now she is almost a legend in British folklore.

There is a museum about her life and legacy in Bamburgh if you were interested.  

What is the best time to see puffins on Farne Islands?

If visiting the Farne Islands puffins is the main thing you want to do on your trip, then you need to plan your visit right around the breeding season.

Puffin season on the Farne Islands is between April and July. But, the peak puffin breeding season is around May and June.  

I visited the Inner Farne Island at the end of April and there were lots of puffins there.

They would fly over the boat, around us, and do their cute little waddle! It was adorable to watch them as they looked so clumsy!  

How many puffins do the Farne Islands have?

It varies every year! But, the records are usually between 30 – 55,000+ pairs of puffins.

Puffins have classed a red-listed bird species which means that their breed has declined in this country in the last 25 years.  

They do land on a handful of sites in the UK including the Farne Islands and the National Trust do a great job of protecting those that do land here.

How to get to the Farne Islands

The only way that you can access the Farne Islands is by boat. But, it’s good to note that the Farne Islands are not open for landings all year around.

The Farne Islands are open for visitors from the 28th of March to the end of October.  

The easiest place to access the Farne Islands in Northumberland is to take a boat trip from the nearby harbour village of Seahouses.

During the season, there will be plenty of boat trips that run throughout the day.

You can choose to land on either the Inner Farne Island or Longstone Island from March to October. But, Staple Island is only accessible to visitors from May to July.  

The boat rides will only land on one island during a single trip, so you’ll need to choose. I went for the Inner Farne Island as Longstone was shut while I was there. It has a lighthouse, the old chapel, the National Trust centre and lots of puffins!  

In the breeding season, some islands will be completely closed off to the public and sailings will be prohibited around them. This is to protect the birds but also to protect you!

The best Farne Islands boat trip from Seahouses

If you were struggling to choose a good boat trip for the Farne Islands, the best choice is Billy Shiel’s.

The Shiel family have been running boat trips in the area since 1918, just after the First World War.  

The current Billy Shiel’s great grandfather founded ‘Farne Island Boat Trips’ and today their fleet is one of the biggest .

They currently have 11 boats, 8 Glad Tidings, 2 St Cuthberts and a speed RHIB.

You can either book your boat trip online or turn up on the day and book a ticket from their counter in Seahouses.

I chose their Inner Farne Islands trip which is around 3 hours and includes an hour’s landing.

But, they also have Sharp Islands trips, full-day bird watching trips, outer island trips around Holy Island etc. Click here for the full range.  

If you were really eager to see Longstone Island and follow in the footsteps of Grace Darling. You can look up Serenity boat trips here.

Pro tip: the best time for a Farne Islands boat trip is later in the afternoon. This way there will be far fewer crowds on the island. I went around 3 pm and there were six of us total and we had the whole of the Inner Farne to ourselves!

Tips and warnings for visiting during Farne Islands puffins season

• Bad weather – it’s good to note that in foggy or stormy weather, the boat trips will not run at all. It’s important for safety. I waited for a good weather day.
• Seasickness – even on a clear day, the boat can be quite rocky with the waves. Make sure you take any tablets or bring whatever you need to help you if you do get seasick.  
• Mating season – means that the birds will be loud, playing up and pretty much dive-bombing into the boat. They may come close to you or fly just over your head. Just watch out for that!  
• The smell – Wow, the smell of these islands is truly something else. It’s so overpowering and not great if you already get seasick. You do get used to it though when you land.

• Bring cash – the Farne Islands doesn’t have a card system here due to bad signal. There is a National Trust shop on the Inner Farne island where you can buy some cute puffin souvenirs. They also rent binoculars for £1 to those that want a closer look. So, have some spare coins with you!  
• Toilets – if you’re worried about needing to go on your trip, the National Trust does have some public toilets to use once you land on Inner Farne Island. But, there were no toilets on the boat itself.  
• Accessibility – the island has a flat, wheelchair-accessible trail around the Inner Farne Island so that everyone can visit. See the National Trust’s accessibility page here .

What to expect on your Farne Islands boat trip

So, what is a Farne Islands boat trip really like? Well, I have to admit, I didn’t come with any expectations.  

Seeing wildlife is never a guarantee, so I didn’t want to get my hopes up of seeing puffins. But, I’m so happy that we did.  

As the islands see anything up to 55,000 pairs of puffins here, you’re pretty much guaranteed to spot some in the months of April to July.  

It’s so exciting when you have your first puffin sighting. Ours flew over the boat and landed on the surf. But, the larger groups will be found grouped on the Farne Islands.

Sailing to and around the Farne Islands  

The boat we had was Glad Tidings VIII with Billy Shiel’s and we boarded at Seahouses Harbour. The ship is completely open plan with seating around the sides.  

It doesn’t really matter what side you sit on for a good view of the islands as Glad Tidings will be circling around.

Luckily, on our trip, there were barely any people so I just kept moving either side for photos. Make sure you have good sea legs!

As we made our way out to the Farne Islands, the currents made the boat quite rocky.

But, the team will prepare you for anything like that over the tannoy and give you a great informative commentary on what islands you’re seeing as you pass them too.

As soon as we made it over the cross current, the waters became a lot more calm around the islands. It completely depends on the tide as to how many islands you’ll see on your visit.  

There is Brownsman, Longstone, Staple Island, Megstone, Elbow, Wideopens, Goldstone, Gun Rock, Nameless rock and many more. You’ll notice that the bigger islands have lighthouses, cottages and towers.  

Even before you land on the Farne Islands, you’ll see SO much wildlife.

Keep your eyes peeled for grey seals who love to bask in the sun or the tails and fins of dolphins in the surf!  

There are so many birds flying around here that you can spot including shags, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars. Don’t worry, they will make themselves known to you, probably by flying into your boat!  

Landing on the Farne Islands

Once you’ve had a a good sail around the islands, you’ll finally be ready to weigh anchor and hop aboard the Farne Island of your choice!  

I landed on the Inner Farne Island and It felt so surreal.

You’re completely surrounded by the ocean and you can see Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island in the distance on the mainland.  

There are a few landmarks but it’s almost inconceivable to think about what life must be like for someone living here.

Some of the rangers do this almost all year! It’s tiny, covered by birds and completely exposed to the elements.  

Farne Islands Chapel

Although there were Celtic Christian monks like St Aidan and St Cuthbert living on the island in the 7th century. Their settlements, like St Cuthbert’s Cell, are no longer visible and fell into decay.

In 1370, a new chapel was built which is largely what we see today on the island.

The monks of the House of Farne were incredibly wealthy. They cultivated crops, had livestock and stored fish. Seals were also a delicacy that they would eat on Fridays!

The holy community lived here up until King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the monasteries.

Very little was done to the church when it passed over to Durham Cathedral.

Most of the modern renovations were carried out in the Victorian era.   That’s when the gorgeous stained glass window was installed with some of the wood panelling and decorations.

Even today, the National Trust maintains the church and have made some improvements like the eastern gable and the new cross.  

As well as admiring this holy place, this is also where you can visit the National Trust visitor centre. Here, they have some displays on puffins and souvenirs to purchase.

National Trust Puffin Talks

If you were interested to know more about the Farne Islands Puffins, then National Trust does run some Puffin Talks throughout the day in St Cuthbert’s Chapel.

These are usually held by the rangers who live on the islands and monitor the puffins daily. So, they will explain some amazing facts and you can ask them any questions that come to mind.  

Although I do love muffins because they’re incredibly cute, I really didn’t know much more than that about them! So, I found it fascinating. 

Our ranger explained that the puffin breeding season is the time when they will have their gorgeous colourful beaks on show to attract a mate.  

Did you know that when out of breeding season, a puffin sheds its colourful beak in place of a dull grey one?  

They also have one partner that they meet and breed with here each year! The female will lay one egg and they both work together to incubate and feed their baby.

They are also sometimes known as sea parrots due to their colours and also clowns of the sea! Amazingly, they have a life expectancy of 20 years.  

It’s definitely worth visiting to find out more and what work they do on the island too.  

Getting up close to Farne Islands puffins  

After you’ve attended the puffin talk, it’s time to go and meet them!

If you don’t have binoculars for yourself, make sure you donate £1 to borrow some from the National Trust visitor centre.

Although they do come incredibly close to you, it’s not always guaranteed. So, it’s best to have a way to see them from afar if they’re feeling particularly shy.  

On my visit, I must have seen a hundred puffins or more. They were scurrying around, burrowing holes and gathering on the rocks. 

I honestly fell head over heels in love with them and I’m sure you will too. If not, they will definitely win you over with their clumsy antics.  

There are lots of viewing areas on the island itself near the edges and some areas are roped off. The volunteers here are really friendly and can answer any questions you have!  

Other birds and wildlife on the Farne Islands

Of course, puffins aren’t the only birds that land here on the islands.

There could be well over 100,000 sea birds around at any one time.   Kittiwakes, Seagulls, Arctic Terns, Shags, Eider Ducks, Sandwich Terns, Fulmars and Guillemots have all been spotted on the wildlife calendar.

Even as you sail around the islands, you’ll hear their noisy screeching from afar but when you’re on the island itself it’s almost deafening.

I would also watch out for terns, they are pretty cheeky and will fly into you or land on your head. But, don’t let it put you off.

When I had my tripod out to take some photos, a black shag nearly attacked it haha (I did have permission). So, keep your things on your person.  

Prior Castell’s Tower  

The tower on the Inner Farne Island, or Prior Castell’s Tower, was built for Durham Cathedral between 1494 to 1519. It was named after Thomas Castell who commissioned it.  

It was originally built to further protect the monks who were living on the island. From both border raids and the elements.

After the Dissolution, the tower held a small garrison in 1565 of four men. The Captain was Sir William Reed, who was also the leader of Holy Island for Queen Elizabeth I.   

He complained about the state of the tower and found it would easily fall should it be under attack, so further renovations were carried out.  

In the 17th century, it became a ruin and fell into decay. But, it saw an opportunity for a small beacon light to be placed on top of the tower. Eventually, it became a lighthouse in 1809 called Low Light.

Today, this is where the rangers of the island live nine months out of the year to monitor the wildlife activity!  

Inner Farne Island Lighthouse  

As well as the lighthouse, a further Inner Farne lighthouse or ‘High Light’ was built in 1809. This lighthouse is still in use to this very day to help ships on the coast.  

Although there used to be a lighthouse keeper that would run this manually on the island, the High Light is automated these days.  

It may surprise you to know that it is automated remotely by Trinity House which is the Lighthouse Authority in England miles away from here in London!  

It’s a popular landmark that can you can easily see from the mainland off the coast of Northumberland. Although it would be lovely to see how everything works inside, it’s locked off to the public.

How much is a boat trip to the Farne Islands?  

The Inner Farne Islands boat trip with Billy Shiels will cost you £30 an adult and £23 per child.

You can pay this by card, cash or Apple Pay.   But, keep in mind that this doesn’t include the Farne Islands National Trust Landing Fees that you have to pay.

These are £8.20 for an adult and £ 4.10 for a child. During May – July the landing fees go up to £12.60 for an adult and £6.30 for a child. National Trust members get this FREE.

You pay your landing fee at Seahouses to the National Trust counter. Remember to bring your membership cards with you!

Can Dogs visit Farne Islands? They are allowed on the boat ride however they cannot land on the Farne Islands.

How long is the boat trip from Seahouses to Farne Islands?

The Farne Islands Boat trip I went on was around 3 hours in total.

This included sailing to and around the islands, hours landing on the Inner Farne Island and then an hour sailing back.   I would definitely allow more time to get here before your trip though.

Seahouses is a small village that’s very popular. It does quickly pack out and parking spaces can be limited.

You’ll also need time to purchase your tickets if you haven’t already and you should prepare for possible delays. The ocean is never predictable.

Personally, I was held up in traffic coming off Holy Island and I just made it here on time by frantically running to the harbour. Not something I want for you!

What to wear for Farne Islands & a quick packing list  

• Wear a hat – Birds have been known to land on your head here. So, come prepared with something to protect you. I didn’t get that memo but luckily, no birds landed on me!
• Don’t wear something you mind getting bird poo on – There are so many seabirds around here flying everywhere. It is very well possible that you may be the target practice. 
• Bring an extra layer – The Farne Islands are really exposed out on the ocean. So, make sure you bring an extra layer even on a warm day. The breeze can bite.  
• A good pair of walking shoes – The island has a flat accessible trail, but I wouldn’t wear flip flops or heels. You’ll need a good pair of shoes to hop on and off the boat with and walk around. 

• Binoculars – If you have them, bring them! Although you will be inches away from the Farne Islands Puffins, it’s really cool to see them up close. If you don’t own any, the National Trust have some for rent.  
• Bring a camera – Let’s face it, pics or it didn’t happen. You’ll definitely want a good camera to capture the Farne Islands puffins. The bigger the zoom lens the better! But, I found I was really close for a few good snaps.

Can you stay on Farne Islands?  

There is currently no Farne Islands accommodation for tourists whatsoever as it’s a bird sanctuary.  

The only people that live on the Farne Islands are rangers working with the National Trust to monitor bird activity.

To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure you would want to stay on the Farne Islands anyway! It would be incredibly noisy with all the thousands of birds and the stench is so strong.

It would also be FREEZING as it’s so exposed. It wouldn’t be the most relaxing.  

Where to stay near Farne Islands  

The nearest place to stay for the Farne Islands is Seahouses in Northumberland.

You’ll be super close to the harbour here which will be in inches of the boat counters;

The Olde Ship Inn – You’re within touching distance of the harbour with this family-friendly pub. There are so cosy rooms to check-in for the night with the added benefit of a restaurant and pub below decks! Click for rates.

Ugiebrae House B&B – A cute family-run B&B with a terrace and gardens, close by to the harbour. It comes with a wholesome breakfast and you can rent bikes to explore the area. Click to book.  

Wyndgrove House – If you’d rather have some peace and quiet Wyndgrove House is in a remote quiet conservation area close to Seahouses harbour and beach. It also has fresh and spacious rooms with modern decor and facilities. Click here to enquire.  

Looking for more places to visit in Northumberland?

If you’re wondering what to do after your Farne Islands trip, you’ll be spoiled for choice along the coast. You’re right in the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty!  

You’ve probably already seen the mysterious Bamburgh Castle with its dominating position on the coastline and I would highly recommend crossing the threshold.

This is also the location of Uhtred’s Bebbanburg in The Last Kingdom on Netflix. Click here to read my guide.

There are so many amazing staterooms in this fortification with museums and dungeons too. Or, get lost in the sand dunes of Bamburgh beach!  

I recently went at Christmas time and it was absolutely gorgeous decorated for the festive season.

If you’re fond of tidal islands, you could head right over to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne when it’s low tide.

This is the first place that the Vikings invaded England and it’s magical! Don’t forget to visit the castle, and priory and try some of the legendary Lindisfarne Mead.

Read all the things to do on this magical tidal island

Fans of Harry Potter will lose it at Alnwick Castle as they shot some of the scenes here in the movies. You can even have a go at flying a broomstick with their magic lessons!

Or, head into the gorgeous floral displays at Alnwick garden and their poisonous plants . Also, if you’re here in April/May you should check out their Cherry Blossom Festival ! 

Also, the town on Alnwick is a wonder to explore and you can stop by the impressive Barter Books.

Dunstanburgh Castle was one of my favourite walks in Northumberland and you’ll be heading over a coastal headland to the dramatic ruins.

It’s extremely romantic and best paired with sunset. Read more about this amazing walk here.

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Sailings available every day, weather permitting. Book online or ring us on 01665 720308.

Staple Landing Trip

SORRY THIS TRIP IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.  STAPLE ISLAND IS CLOSED FOR 2024.

Staple Island is a very rocky island only suitable for the very sure-footed. It is not suitable for any persons with mobility issues.  This island is very exposed to the elements so for safety reasons, landings are made at the Skippers discretion and are not  guaranteed. If we are unable to land you at this island, the trip will become a 2.5 hour non-landing bird watching trip to view the cliff nesting birds and the seals.

Trips available May – July during the peak nesting season.

Child prices are for age 5-15.  Under 5’s are infants. No concessions.

Dogs are permitted on the boat but not on Staple Island.  Well behaved dogs may remain on the boat with the crew while you spend the hour ashore.

During the breeding season (May 1st until July 31st) it is possible to make a morning landing on Staple Island. The trip lasts approximately 2½ – 3  hours including one hour on Staple Island. We also sail round the other Islands including Longstone, Inner Farne and and visit the Grey Seal colonies at several vantage points with full commentary en route.

NATIONAL TRUST LANDING FEES 2023 (not included in the boat fare)

National Trust members land free of charge on the Island and for non-members there is a charge payable to the National Trust Kiosk at the harbour before departure

May, June, July

Adult: £13  child: £6.50 family: £32.50 family group with 1 adult and 3 children: £19.50, (free landing to under 5’s & n.t. members).

This island is noted for its vast seabird colonies, especially those of the Auk family such as Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins. Puffins are the most numerous birds that nest on the Farnes with over 10,000 pairs nesting on Staple Island alone! A footpath over the top of the Island takes you straight through the nesting Puffins.

“The Pinnacles” are isolated rock stacks situated off Staple Island, and the cliff faces offer the perfect opportunity to see these birds in their natural habitat. Staple Island is an ornithologist’s and photographer’s dream and for anybody who wants to get close to these birds it’s an experience they’ll definitely take home with them.

Staple Island is a rocky island and as such is not recommended for disabled visitors or for those with walking difficulties. It is also an island which is very exposed to the elements which means landing can occasionally be difficult.  Landings are always made at the skippers discretion

Booking Conditions

The duration of our trips is approximate only and depends on a number of factors including weather and sea conditions. We reserve the right to cancel any of our trips if we deem the weather and/or sea conditions unsuitable for sailing. If trips are cancelled for any reason, you will be offered a different date/trip or receive a full refund. You may change/cancel bookings no later than 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Refunds are processed through our booking system to the card from which you made payment.

If you do not receive a confirmation for your trip please check your spam/junk and telephone us on 01665 720308/720316.

Please check in and collect your tickets from Billy Shiel’s Booking office at Seahouses Harbour NE68 7RN no later than 30 minutes before sailing. You will then be given instructions as to when, where and which boat to board. Please follow instructions to ensure you board the correct vessel as multiple companies and vessels use the same boarding point.

Please act responsibly on our vessels and follow our safety procedures. Children must not be allowed to climb on the sides of the boat and must be under parental/guardian supervision at all times.

Any belongings brought onto our trips are the responsibility of the owner and we can not be held accountable for breakages or lost/stolen items.

Safe access is provided for the embarkation and disembarkation on our trips but we can not be held accountable for any actions where due caution and restraint has not been undertaken.

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Seahouses, Northumberland

150 - 180 min

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Inner Farne Landing Trip

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2 hour Puffin Seabird Cruise with Seals

Duration: 120 mins APRIL - JULY

Billy Shiel's Boat Trips

Farne Islands reopening delayed due to weather - but hope for landings later this week

T he reopening of the Farne Islands has been delayed due to bad weather, with no boats able to sail from Seahouses Harbour on Monday.

It had been intended that Inner Farne would reopen to the public on Monday, March 25 for the first time since July, 6 2022. However, heavy rain, 20mph winds, and rough seas prevented all crossings from Seahouses on Monday but there are hopes that weather will improve by this weekend, which operators see as the start of their season.

The islands, an internationally important seabird colony, had been closed since then due to concerns over Avian Influenza (AI), also known as bird flu, with rangers collection almost 10,000 birds over the last two years. The National Trust, which manages the islands, believes that immunity has built within the colonies but will continue to closely monitor birds for signs of the disease.

• Read more: Beaver tours to be launched at Northumberland country estate

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Sophie Jackson, area ranger for the National Trust, said: "The last two years have been really tough, but we are keeping everything crossed that the birds are starting to build natural resilience to bird flu.

"We will continue to closely monitor the birds for signs of the disease over the coming weeks, in the hope that we can remain open for the whole season. But the health of our precious seabirds has to be our priority, so we do have a ‘closure plan’ that we’ll implement, should bird flu return."

It is not yet confirmed when cruises will head for Inner Farne again, but conditions are set to be more favourable tomorrow (Tuesday, March 25). William Shiel, who operates Billy Shiel's Boat Tours, hopes that things will clear by Easter weekend and is looking forward to restarting landings on the island.

He told ChronicleLive: "It's been a rough winter of weather but now is the time to be having the bad weather. When our season does officially start this weekend coming, I'd like to think it's more favourable then - we're used to bad weather living in this country."

Ian Clemmett, countryside manager for the National Trust, said: "We’re disappointed that visitors haven’t been able to get out to the Farne Islands today. There was a lot of excitement on the harbour this morning, so it was a shame not to be able to sail due to poor weather and sea conditions.

"The weather forecast looks much better for tomorrow so we are optimistic about getting out to Inner Farne, and can’t wait to welcome visitors back."

As well as the wildlife visitors will be able to learn more about the island's cultural history, which has links with early Christianity and St Cuthbert. Inner Farne is the only island open to visitor landings this year while the National Trust trials limited opening.