Puffin Island

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. Located at the NE entrance of the Menai Strait this little island hosts an abundance of wildlife including Atlantic grey seals, resident coastal birds and visiting sea birds. All our cruises offer an entertaining and informative commentary, we’ll point out places of interest and tell you about the local history. We’ll also help you spot the different birds and wildlife along the way.

Puffin Island also known as Ynys Seiriol in Welsh, is located at the Northeast entrance of the Menai Straits and is the ninth largest island off the Welsh coast. The island is steeped in history with the monastic ruins of St Seiriol and the old semaphore station to be seen, you will also pass the lighthouse at Penmon Point. 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 in Beaumaris and the Menai Strait.

All our trips depart from Beaumaris, you don’t get off on the island and the duration is a guide but can vary slightly with tidal conditions.

Standard Cruises

Our Standard Cruises are on-board Neptune Explorer, the first vessel in the UK to be coded under the ‘small seagoing code’ licensed to carry 54 passengers. Meeting the highest safety standards, she is incredibly maneuverable with fantastic sea keeping properties, she’s the workhorse of the fleet. By far the finest passenger vessel sailing the Menai Strait, just ask any of thousands of customers who come out with us each year.

Puffin Island Cruise
Duration 80-minutes; Max passengers 54
Adults (16+) £18.95
Child (4-16) £12.95
Young child (0 - 3) Free

* Dogs free

Deluxe Cruises

Our Deluxe Cruirses on-board Supanova or Salacia provide each passenger with extra space, extra speed and a more face to face experience with your skipper/guide. With limited numbers on-board there’s plenty of space for that more exclusive feel.

Deluxe Puffin Island Cruise
Duration 65-minutes; Max passengers 22
Adults  (16+) £24.95
Children (4 - 16) £19.95
Young Child (0 - 3) Free

* Dogs free

Important Information for all Cruises

Our Cruises are suitable for all ages, there’s a toilet on-board each boat, you can even bring your dog with you. If you have special access requirements we have prepared an access statement. Please note we cannot accommodate wheelchairs on Salacia or Supanova, it may be possible to accommodate wheelchairs on Neptune Explorer but please read our access statement and contact us before booking.

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Well behaved dogs are welcome on-board, however, there is no specific space allocated for them. Dogs will be required to sit by your feet or on your lap (not on the seats) so it may not be suitable for particularly large breeds. Please be considerate to other passengers when bringing your dogs and consider access especially along the council operated ramp as the surface is small open squares and not paw friendly.

We normally see puffins on our Puffin Island boat trips between early April and mid-July. These dates are just a guide and could be earlier or later, but once the puffins have finished breeding we will not see any puffins on any of our boat trips.

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

You will need to check in at our ticket kiosk 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. All the details are on your booking confirmation email. For information about parking and directions to our ticket kiosk have a look at our plan your visit page.

Please look at the booking page for all scheduled trip times.

We advise customers to book online, you can also book in person at the ticket kiosk if we have any seats remaining, but please note 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 and we can advise you how to go about booking.

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).

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.

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.

Yes, there are toilet facilities on our boats.

Our trips run daily between early Spring and mid-Autumn, we usually announce the first day of the season on our socials, and all scheduled trips are available to book online. If it’s out of season and you’re looking for a trip or private charter then please feel free to email and we might be able to arrange something for you.

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

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).

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.


  1. A full refund, or

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

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

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.

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.

Fantastic

Would highly recommend. We saw porpoises seals puffins and had thrills of the whizzing round on a speed boat. Totally enjoyed my birthday treat. Would go again.

Helen H (TripAdvisor)
 

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