Farne Islands, Northumberland

Boat trips to the Farne Islands

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The Farne Islands are a group of 28 rocky islands off the coast of Northumberland. It’s no wonder Sir David Attenborough says they’re his favourite place to spot nature in the UK. As a national nature reserve, they’re home to some of our most important colonies of seals and seabirds, including puffins. 

A boat trip unlocks the islands in all their glory. As it’s only a short drive to Seahouses Harbour from our Berwick and Haggerston Castle holiday parks (around 25 and 35 minutes along the A1) they're well worth a visit on a boat trip from here.

How to get to the Farne Islands

How to get to the Farne Islands

The local town of Seahouses on the mainland offers Farne Islands boat trips. Before you head down to the harbour, there are a couple of tips to mention first. 

Before you visit Farne Islands 

As the islands are owned by the National Trust, you’ll need an admission ticket if you want to set foot on the islands themselves. If you’re already a member, you can grab a free ticket! If you're not a member, you can gain entry by buying admission. 

If you’re driving down from one of our parks, there’s a pay-and-display car park not too far from Seahouses Harbour, so it’s just a short walk to catch a boat ride. 

If you’re ready for a day of wildlife spotting, you can purchase a guide from the National Trust Farne Islands shop in Seahouses to use on your journey. 

Now you’re ready to set sail! Here are some great options that'll get you to the Farne Islands.

Golden Gate Farne Island Boat Trips 

Boat trips run between April and October, weather permitting. If you want to land on an island or sail around them and enjoy the salty sea air, there are boat trips available daily, when in season. Just head to the kiosk on the harbour around 15 minutes before your boat is due to embark.

Longstone Island boat trip 

Golden Gate is the only company with permission to land on Longstone Island and have access to the Longstone Lighthouse (with a small fee payable to the lighthouse owners if you want to go inside). 

If you’re worried that your four-legged friend isn't allowed to come too, then fear not! Golden Gate allows well-behaved dogs on leads to come aboard the boat and venture onto Longstone Island (although they’re not allowed in the lighthouse or the other islands). The trip takes around two hours. 

Inner Farne boat trip 

Inner Farne island is the largest of the Farne Islands and features the tiny medieval chapel of St Cuthbert. For this trip, you’ll disembark on the island with a visit to the chapel and look for the grey seal colonies and nesting seabirds. The trip takes around three hours. 

Sail-around boat trip 

If you fancy a pleasant sail around the islands, you can choose a Farne Islands boat trip that takes you on a tour around Staple Island, Inner Farne and Longstone Island. This is the shortest trip at around 1.5 hours.

What wildlife will you spot?

What wildlife will you spot?

Grey Seals 

The Farne Island seals are one of the largest colonies in the UK! You might spot a harbour seal too, but these are a rare sight here. Sailing past the islands is a wonderful way to spot seals relaxing on the beach in the summer as well as seal pups during the winter. 

Puffins 

These comical little birds are plentiful on the Farne Islands with up to 30,000 pairs in the warmer months! Known for their bright beaks and funny walk, you’ll easily spot them nesting on the islands. Their nests look like little burrows in the earth. If you visit in the winter, they might look slightly different – their beaks are greyer in the cold months and vibrant again once it warms up. 

Arctic Terns 

These birds can be quite feisty at times! They’re known to fly close to visitors to protect their young. Make sure you wear a hat when visiting. They often use the same nests year after year, though they’re been known more recently to move between islands.

Other wildlife

As the sea and island area here is such an important part of marine life, it’s home to dozens of species of birds including: 

  • Shags 

  • Guillemots 

  • Razorbills 

  • Eider ducks 

  • Kittiwakes 

If you are a passionate birdwatcher, make sure you take plenty of photos. What better way to spot wildlife than from a boat? Recently there have been more sightings of bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, and even minke whales. You may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them cresting the waves as you sail past the islands.

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What to bring on your Farne Islands boat trip

What to bring on your Farne Islands boat trip

To stay comfy and safe during your trips, make sure you bring: 

  • Comfy shoes for walking about and for staying steady on the boat 

  • Hat to protect against the sun (and arctic terns!) 

  • Warm clothing and waterproof as it can get very wet, even on a dry day 

  • Binoculars to spot wildlife out at sea 

  • A camera to capture memories that last a lifetime!

Start planning your Great British break

Important information

*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 29 August 2024

*Holiday home price is based on a new 3-bedroom ABI Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.

Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.

As at 29 August 2024, price is available at selected parks Blue Dolphin, Craig Tara, Cleethorpes Beach, Caister, Combe Haven, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggerston, Orchards, and Quay West. Price can be withdrawn at any time.

Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.

Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.

Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 31 JULY 2024 *Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.

Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.

As at 31 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggeston, Orchards, Quay West, Skegness and Wild Duck.

Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.

Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.

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Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Full site fees will be payable for subsequent years.

Images are shown for representational purposes.

Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.

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Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.

‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview.  The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.

“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion.  It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.

An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.

Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.

Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.

Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.

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