Farne Islands trip-advice needed

[darwin]

I am planning on visiting the Farnes on Saturday, can anyone tell me the best boat etc. to go on to.

I primarily want to see Puffins, preferably close if possible.

I think different boats land on diferent islands, but can anyone speak from experience of the best trip to go on.

Thanks

Darwin

[Jonners]

Billy Shiels do various trips - google Farne Islands and they are just about top of the list. They do a 2.5 hour trip that lands on Staple Island if the conditions allow, but only in the morning. They also do a 2.5 hour trip that lands on Inner Farne, but only in the afternoon. Each trip sails round the other islands and includes one hour on the respective one. Inner Farne is much easier to land at and has the Arctic Terns - wear a hat! They also do trips that don't land at all, or an all day trip that leaves at 10am and gives you two hours on Staple Island in the morning and a further two hours on Inner Farne in the afternoon. However, all sailings are dependent on the weather, so do keep an eye on the forecast and speak to them in advance if necessary. As I said, Inner Farne is much easier to land on the Staple. I was there last Friday, which was a calm day, but we still couldn't land on Staple because there was too much swell on the sea.

Hope that helps, and have a great time

[darwin]

Thanks for the reply, I have the leaflets for a couple of operators-Billy Shiels included, but my main objective (well, the wifes) is photographing puffins. Do you know which island the puffins are mainly on?

[Jonners]

I haven't been to Staple Island - the last time I was there, although the weather was good, the swell was too much to land. There are puffins on both islands, but I can't tell you from experience whether there are more on Staple. Apparently it is a very good place for bird watchers and photographers, but there are plenty on Inner Farne too, along with everything else, plus the Arctic Terns that you don't get on Staple.
These were taken on Inner Farne, plus a load more


The weather looks good for Saturday, although it may be a bit breezy, so I don't know whether Staple Island will be an option or not. Like I say, I've not been to that island, but was told I would love it. However, I did have a great time on Inner Farne. Unforgettable

PS It might be worth pre-booking your boat trip by phone. You only pay on the day, but at least your place is booked in advance. they might also be able to give you an idea of whether Staple is an option, and how good it is.

[Elizabeth B]

We took the all day trip (Staple Island and Inner Farne) with Billy Shiels in June 2005 and had a magical day. We had a flat calm and brilliant sunshine all day. Remember to take some head protection - even though I was wearing a very sturdy baseball cap, it was rather uncomfortable when the terns attacked! (I rather envied the two men who were wearing builders' hats). According to the Shiels' website, the all day trip is still running - but it doesn't say what days of the week it's available.

You can see a selection of my husband's photos here: The Farne Islands - June 2005

[doke]

I visited both Staple Island and Inner Farne about this time last year. Puffins are absolutely everywhere on both islands. Staple island has a huge colony of Guillemots, Razorbills and Shags with a lot of Puffins on some areas of the island. Inner Farne is best for Arctic and Sandwich Terns and Puffins as well, but definitely wear a hat if you want to avoid a bleeding scalp. Also lots of kittiwakes, fulmars, eider and grey seals. You can get extremely close to the puffins and their nests on both islands from the boardwalks and footpaths, and the puffins are totally unperturbed by all the visitors. As others have suggested, probably best to book at this popular time of year. There is also a landing fee to pay to the National Trust seperately on both islands if you are not a member so take a bit of spare cash. A trip to the Farnes is one of the best wildlife experiences you can have in the UK.

[darwin]

Sadly the all day trip is not an option for this visit-maybe some other time, I live in the NE of England anyway so relatively close for future trips. I have friends who have a caravan who will be dog sitting for me, and they will be be abe to give an up to date state of the weather when I phone in the morning.

Probably go for the Inner Farne trip first of all and maybe Staple next time-many thanks for all your help

Darwin

[DOXHOPE]

Hi, everything said about the boats etc is right..Im going on the 25th June (Friday) if anyone there on the same day, say hello..Forgot to say, go for the all day trip if you can..