Puffin Island Cruises

Amazing Wildlife & Spectacular Scenery

With spectacular scenery and an array of wildlife it’s easy to see why we take thousands of passengers each year to view this beautiful island. Our Puffin Island cruises are a leisurely and relaxed trip aboard our 54 seater cruise boat. With an entertaining and informative commentary along the way we’ll be pointing out places of interest and telling you about the local history, spotting the different birds and wildlife and telling you about them too.

Puffin Island also known as Ynys Seiriol in Welsh, is located at the North East entrance of the Menai Straits and is the ninth largest island off the Welsh coast. The island was once home to the sixth century saint, St Seiriol, whose monastery is still visible on the top of the island today. Puffin Island is now a bird sanctuary and a nesting site for many species of breeding seabirds. The main season is between April and July when you are likely to see common guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and of course puffins but as with all seabirds outside of the breeding season they are only found out at sea (you will not see puffins on these cruises outside of the breeding season). We also find fulmar and eider duck breeding on the island and often spot the odd black guillemot in the area too. Other species such as cormorant and shags are on the island all year round as are our resident Atlantic grey seals. You may even be lucky enough to encounter porpoise, sometimes even dolphin.

Please note, we will only ever sail if the conditions are safe, however this is a sea cruise and sometimes the sea state around the island can be rougher than within the Menai Strait. If you are a nervous sailor please bear this in mind and maybe consider booking a Menai Strait Cruise.

Cruises last around 80-minutes although trip durations may vary slightly depending on tidal conditions and are suitable for all ages, you can even bring your dog with you, but if you have any specific access requirements please read our access statement.

Our Cruises depart from Beaumaris Pier (postcode LL58 8BS) unless otherwise stated. You must check in at our ticket kiosk 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Please note TRIPS WILL NOT BE DELAYED FOR LATE ARRIVALS.

It is always best to book, we fill up fast especially in the holidays. Please book online, or if you want to just check sailing times you can see them on our booking page too. You can book online up to 1 hour before departure. We don't take bookings over the phone or by email, but if we have any availability left you can book at our ticket kiosk by Beaumaris Pier.

Prices

80-minute Puffin Island Cruise
Adult	£18
Child (4-16)	£12
Child (0-3)	Free

*Prices per seat on-board Neptune Explorer (max capacity 54 passengers). Dogs free.

One hour Puffin Island Cruise

We also have available our 12 seater cruise boat 'Salacia' offering a one hour Puffin Island Cruise. This cruise takes in the same route, sights and wildlife but with and increased cruising speed and the 'exclusivity' of only carry 12 passengers you get all the benefits of the larger vessels (including an on-board toilet) but a much shorter travel time to and from the island. Passengers will enjoy the same amount of time around the island and with less people on-board this is the perfect boat for photographers.

1 hour Puffin Island Cruise
All seats (1 yr and over)	£23.50
Infants (under 1 yr)	Free

Dogs free

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome on our cruise boats.

Is there a toilet on-board?

Yes, there are toilet facilities on our boats.

Will I see Puffins?

Puffins nest on Puffin Island between approximately the beginning of April and the end of July, you will not see them outside of the nesting season. Between April and July, we see Puffins on most Puffin Island trips.

Will I see dolphins?

Very occasionally we are lucky enough to see dolphins on our cruises but most of the time we don’t see dolphins.

How do I book?

We only take bookings online or face to face at the ticket kiosk, we do not take bookings over the phone or by email. If you are looking to book for a large group or want a bespoke private charter, please drop us an email.

Will I get wet?

We strongly recommend that you wear suitable clothing and bring waterproofs. We will do our best to keep you as dry as possible but there may be sea spray (or rain, we are in Wales…) and most seating is not covered. The windier the weather the more spray there is and the wetter you may get.

Please note we don’t normally cancel trips if it’s raining so check the forecast and bring appropriate clothing (jacket and waterproof trousers are best in the rain).

Are there any ages restrictions?

There are no age restrictions on our boats, all ages are welcome. If you have mobility issues we recommend you read our access statement or get in touch before booking.

Is there disabled access?

Unfortunately, none of our boats have full disabled access. We will always try and accommodate you if it is possible and of course safe, please read our access statement and drop us an email with your specific requirements, however we cannot accommodate electric or motorised wheelchairs on any of our boats.

When do your trips run?

Our trips normally start at the beginning of April and finish at the end of October, if we are running trips they will be available to check times and book online. If you are looking for a private charter out of season, drop us an email and we might be able to accommodate you.

Do you get off on the Island?

All our cruises depart and return to the pier in Beaumaris, you do not get off the boat during the cruise.

What about bad weather?

Our boat trips will only go ahead if it safe to do so. If Seacoast Safaris have to cancel because of the weather we will try and give you as much notice as possible and you will receive a full refund if you aren’t able to rebook for another day. Sometimes we are able to offer an alternative cruise in the Menai Strait if it is too rough around Puffin Island.

Please note the wind strength and direction are the main factors we take into consideration if we have to cancel, we do not normally cancel if it’s forecast rain, if you are concerned about taking a trip in the rain please keep an eye on the weather forecast as you are able to cancel or move your booking up to 24 hours before departure (see cancellation policy). If you haven’t cancelled before 24 hours and the boat is running trips and you choose not to come you will not be entitled to a refund.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellations by the Customer*

For scheduled cruises, customers who wish to cancel can receive a refund less a 10% fee, or a gift voucher for the full amount if the booking is cancelled more than 24 hours before the booked time. A cancellation fee of 100% applies for cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance, or in case of no-show.

For private charters, customers who wish to cancel can receive a refund less a 10% fee, or a gift voucher for the full amount if the booking is cancelled more than 48 hours before the booked time. For cancellations made 24 to 48 hours before the booked time a fee of 50% applies, for cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance, or in case of no-show a fee of 100% applies.

If you cancel and would prefer a gift voucher rather than a refund, please email us. Our system does not automatically issue refunds so there may be a delay in you receiving your cancellation confirmation and your refund confirmation.

You are advised to insure against and check whether your own personal insurance policy provides cover against cancellation.

* If you have booked a coach party using a separate booking form or a training course please refer to booking T&Cs and cancellation policy on that form.

Cancellation by Seacoast Safaris (for all bookings)

Seacoast Safaris will endeavour to ensure that your trip/charter/course takes place in accordance with your booking. However, Seacoast Safaris reserves the rights to cancel without prior notice and at any time where we believe on reasonable grounds that cancellation is necessary due to unsuitable conditions. Please note we do not normally cancel due to rain.

Where Seacoast Safaris cancels a trip/charter you will be offered the following options.

A full refund, or

an alternative trip/charter, with any differences in value refunded, or

a gift voucher to the same value of the trip booked which will remain valid for 18 months.

What safety equipment is provided?

All our vessels fully conform to the MCA codes and licensing and carry all the necessary safety equipment. All vessels carry appropriately sized lifejackets and life rafts for all passengers.

Due to the design of our vessels you are not required to wear a lifejacket during our cruises.

Will the sea be calm?

We will only ever sail if the conditions are safe, however trips to Puffin Island are sea cruises and sometimes the sea state around the island can be rougher than within the Menai Strait. If you are a nervous sailor please bear this in mind and maybe consider booking a Menai Strait Cruise.