The Farne Islands are one of the best places to see puffins in the UK. Every spring and summer, over 200,000 seabirds nest on these tiny islands just off the coast of Northumberland, including around 60,000 puffins. It’s a wildlife spectacle that’s hard to beat – and there’s far more than just puffins to see. The Farne Islands are also home to one of the UK’s largest grey seal colonies, along with thousands of seabirds including razorbills, guillemots, and Arctic terns. Following our visit in spring 2025, we’ve put together this list of essential tips for spotting puffins on the Farne Islands.
How to see the puffins on the Farne Islands
Since the puffins live on the islands themselves, you’ll need to hop on a boat from the mainland. Most trips leave from Seahouses, a small village on Northumberland’s coast. There are a few parking options in the centre of Seahouses, but we recommend getting there as early as possible, as parking spaces can fill up very quickly.
Boats run regularly during puffin season (April to September), and some companies offer wildlife cruises all year round for grey seal spotting. For puffins, though, it’s best to plan your visit between May and July for the most reliable sightings.
There are three different boat operators that run these tours. They all offer similar trips with no major differences in the tours themselves. The operators that run trips to the Farne Islands are Billy Shiel’s, Serenity, and Golden Gate.
Another spot around an hours drive from here we recommend visiting for wildlife, is seeing the grey seals in Whitley Bay.
Tips on seeing the puffins in the Farne Islands
There are several types of boat trips to the Farne Islands. A 2-hour cruise will take you around the islands, where you’ll see puffins flying overhead, bobbing in the water, or perched on the cliffs. If you really want to get up close, go for the 3-hour Inner Farne tour. All boats that land on Inner Farne give you an hour on the island itself (that’s the limit for visitors, regardless of which tour company you choose).
On Inner Farne, there’s a short circular walking route that takes around 15 minutes. It’s here that you can get incredibly close to puffins. You’ll also get the chance to see Arctic terns, which nest on the island and often swoop down to protect their young. It’s a good idea to wear a hat — they’re known for giving visitors a peck on the head!
No matter which way you look, there’ll be puffins somewhere. In the grass, on the cliffs, in the sea, or just soaring past you. With so many puffins on the Farne Islands, you’re pretty much guaranteed a sighting.
It can be quite cold on the boats, so bring a jumper to keep warm! It’s also a good idea to bring some water, sun cream (in case it’s a sunny day!), and a camera to snap photos of the Farne Islands’ impressive wildlife.
If you’re looking for another spot to see the puffins then we recommend Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire.
