When can you see puffins on the Farne Islands?

From roughly May to July. Most leave by the end of July, though a few may be seen on the water in early August.

Where do Farne Islands boat trips leave from?

From Seahouses harbour, with several operators running landing and sail-around trips.

Do I need a National Trust ticket to land on the Farne Islands?

Yes. Get your ticket stamped at the National Trust trailer on Seahouses harbour before sailing; members land free but pay the boat fare.

Can you land on the Farne Islands all year?

No. Inner Farne landings run from April to September, weather permitting.

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Farne Islands, Northumberland

The Farne Islands are a cluster of National Trust islands about 5 miles off the Northumberland coast, reached by boat from Seahouses harbour. Around 200,000 seabirds breed here in summer, including 43,000 pairs of puffins, and the islands hold a colony of Atlantic grey seals.

Photo: Hansheap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display cropped to fit

What it is and why it matters

Puffins are present from roughly May to July, alongside Arctic and Sandwich terns, eider ducks, guillemots, razorbills and shags. Inner Farne has St Cuthbert's Chapel, with stained glass showing three saints, and Longstone, with its lighthouse, can be visited on some trips. Grey seals haul out on the rocks and can be seen on sail-around tours.

Visiting practicalities

Several operators run trips from Seahouses harbour, including Billy Shiel's, Golden Gate and Serenity; booking ahead is recommended. Landing on Inner Farne runs from April to September and needs a National Trust landing ticket, stamped at the Trust's trailer on the harbour before you sail; members land free but still pay for the boat. Only Golden Gate goes to Longstone. Landings can be cancelled at short notice in poor weather or seas. From May, Arctic terns dive at visitors near their nests, so wear a soft, wide-brimmed hat, not a hard helmet. Parking in Seahouses is council pay and display and fills up in summer. The islands are closed for winter and reopen on 1 April 2027.

Nearby and combining your visit

Seahouses has cafés and fish and chip shops around the harbour, and Bamburgh Castle is a short drive north along the coast, so the two make a good day out together.

Highlights

Around 200,000 breeding seabirds in summer
43,000 pairs of puffins
Colony of Atlantic grey seals
St Cuthbert's Chapel on Inner Farne
Boat trips from Seahouses harbour

Good to know

Landing on Inner Farne needs a National Trust ticket stamped at the harbour trailer.
Inner Farne landings run April to September and can be cancelled in bad weather.
Wear a soft, wide-brimmed hat against diving Arctic terns.
Closed for the season; reopens 1 April 2027.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: nationaltrust.org.uk · nationaltrust.org.uk