Cruising along the Menai Strait heading east, the sun is shining and there’s a breeze in the air. Fishing boats are heading out or returning from the Irish Sea, chased by noisy gulls for any scraps that they can get hold of. A cormorant flies past at eye level, heading back to it’s nesting site which is up ahead. We’re heading out on a boat trip to Puffin Island off the coast of Anglesey, to see the nesting seabirds and wildlife, hoping to catch a glimpse of those elusive puffins it’s named after.
Puffin Island, known in Welsh as Ynys Seiriol sits just off the tip of the eastern side of Anglesey at the entrance to the Menai Strait. The small offshore island can be seen from North Wales coastline and has fascinated me for years, growing up in the area. Once home to a monastery, the ruins of which can still be seen today, Puffin Island is a bird sanctuary and nesting site for a number of sea bird species including puffins. The main breeding season generally runs between April and July – this being the best time to take a boat trip across to the island to catch a glimpse of the impressive wildlife.
A Beaumaris boat trip to Puffin Island with Seacoast Safaris
With a number of options to choose from in taking a boat trip to Puffin Island, we opted for a Puffin Island Cruise with Seacoast Safaris, launching from Beaumaris Pier. Their climate considerate cruises, having credentials for being one of the greenest boat operators in the UK, made them the most desirable operator to choose. This particular boat trip to Puffin Island lasted approximately 80 minutes, on a vessel seating around 50 people comfortably, including an audio commentary about the surrounding areas and wildlife throughout the trip.
Spend some time in Beaumaris
Checking in 30 minutes prior to our departure time, we had the opportunity to spend some time exploring the waterfront and pier at Beaumaris – a pretty little coastal town packed full of cute shops, cafes, restaurants and rows of brightly coloured town houses lining the streets. An extended trip to the town would provide time to visit the 13th century Beaumaris Castle. Located on the south coast of Anglesey, the waterfront at Beaumaris provides epic views across the Menai Strait to the North Wales mainland, with views of the Carneddau Mountain Range and beyond to the peaks of Eryri (Snowdonia). A bright and sunny spring day, although with a slight haze in the air, these views were a fabulous scene to take in while waiting to board our vessel – the Neptune Explorer.
VISIT BEAUMARIS CASTLE AND OTHER CASTLES OF NORTH WALES
The journey to Puffin Island
Having boarded the Neptune Explorer, we set off heading east from Beaumaris Pier towards Puffin Island, a journey of which would take around twenty minutes along the Menai Strait. Passing fishing vessels and being overtaken by the occasional RIB or speedboat, the journey was relaxing thanks to the calm conditions. The boat would then circumnavigate Puffin Island, keeping a safe distance to allow for minimal disturbance to the wildlife, before heading back to the pier.
The journey east following the Anglesey coastline towards the Irish Sea and Conwy Bay, passed a number of scenic viewpoints along the way before reaching the easternmost tip of the island at Penmon Point, with the striking black and white striped Trwyn Du Lighthouse. A fabulous spot to visit on land, it’s even more impressive when approaching from the water. Along the way, gulls called overhead chasing the local fishing boats and cormorants gracefully swooped past on their way back to their roosting spot.
Puffin Island
Approaching Puffin Island, small pebbled coves scattered the shoreline with tall cliffs and jagged rock formations rising from the water. The privately owned island, thick with undergrowth, is not accessible to the public and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area due to the nesting seabird colonies. With a range of species including cormorants, razorbills, shag, guillemots and kittiwakes, alongside a number of gull species, visiting the area during nesting season is an assault on the eyes and ears.
Hundreds of seabirds line the cliffs, fighting for space, each with their loud and distinct calls. And what of the puffins? Well, at one time, there were up to 2,000 nesting pairs recorded but those numbers have dwindled significantly since. Circling the island, we, and the skipper, were keeping our eyes peeled for them. Normally, puffins will dig burrows in their nesting locations but due to the soil make up here it’s not possible so they lay their eggs in cracks within the rocks. This of course makes them harder to spot on land. We lucked out on our return around the island and saw a number of puffins bobbing about on the water. While small in stature, the Atlantic puffins are striking to look at thanks to their large, stripy and brightly coloured beaks. Their short wings, adapted for swimming underwater, beat rapidly when in flight and they are often seen flying low to the water. It was fascinating to see these beautiful birds in their natural habitat.
Continuing the journey on our boat trip to Puffin Island, skirting around the northern shores of the island we observed a number of caves in the cliff face, and further crowds of seabirds huddled on the rocks. Grey seals can also be found on the island, and we saw a number of them, either in the water or basking on the rocks. Heading back west and leaving Puffin Island behind us, we cruised towards Trwyn Du Lighthouse, getting up close, before heading back along the Menai Strait to Beaumaris.
Useful information about your boat trip to Puffin Island
There are a number of operators providing boat trips to Puffin Island, many of these departing from Beaumaris including Seacoast Safaris which was our preferred choice.
SEACOAST SAFARIS offer a number of options including the 80 minute Puffin Island Cruise, the 2 Hour Best of Puffin Island and Menai Strait as well as private charter vessels. The 80 minute cruise costs £18.00 for adults and £12.00 for children between 4 and 16. Smaller children and babies can travel for free, and the cruises are dog friendly. Cruises operate a number of times per day from April onwards.
For something a little more thrilling, RIBRIDE operate from nearby Menai Bridge and offer a Puffin Adventure tour which lasts approximately 90 minutes, costing £42.00 per person. As well as an informative tour around Puffin Island, the skipper will throw in some exhilarating twists and turns on the way back to the pier.
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