SEAHOUSES SIGHTSEEING TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Two Hours to the Farne Islands: Puffins, Terns and a Thriving Seal Colony
A 2-hour Billy Shiel's cruise from Seahouses that takes you to the Farne Islands to watch nesting seabirds and visit the Grey Seal colony with full onboard commentary.
Two Hours to the Farne Islands: Puffins, Terns and a Thriving Seal Colony.
From Seahouses, Billy Shiel's two-hour cruise carries you out to the Farne Islands during the breeding season (May to the end of July) to watch large colonies of nesting seabirds — including puffins and Arctic terns — and to view the area’s large Grey Seal population while the skipper and crew provide full commentary and answer questions.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Puffins, Terns and a Colony of Seabirds
The Farne Islands host prolific nesting seabirds in the breeding season; expect to see puffins alongside guillemots, shags, cormorants, kittiwakes, razorbills, Arctic terns and eider ducks as you circle the islands.
A Growing Grey Seal Colony
The cruise visits the Grey Seal colony, where an estimated 3,000–4,000 Grey Seals can be present and over a thousand pups are born each autumn/winter as the colony continues to grow strong.
Following the Grace Darling Rescue Route
En route the skipper narrates the heroic 1838 rescue of Grace Darling and her father, retracing the route they took as part of the historical context provided during the trip.
What the day feels like
What the Cruise Feels Like
The outing is a brisk, sea‑borne loop from Seahouses to the Farne Islands: two hours in which crew commentary frames the wildlife encounters — island cliffs thick with nesting birds at close quarters and rocky ledges dotted with basking Grey Seals — punctuated with a retrospective of the Grace Darling rescue.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this cruise suits best.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The cruise runs for two hours and is operated during the bird breeding season; the operator notes breeding activity from May until the end of July.
Passengers meet at the harbour in Seahouses (NE68 7RN) for boarding.
A full commentary is provided throughout the cruise by the skipper and crew, who are available to answer questions.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Puffin Seabird Cruise?
The cruise lasts two hours.
When is the best time to see nesting puffins and seabirds?
The breeding season runs from May until the end of July, when nesting seabirds are most prolific on the Farne Islands.
What wildlife can I expect to see?
Expect to see puffins, guillemots, shags, cormorants, kittiwakes, Arctic terns, razorbills, eider ducks and the Grey Seal colony.
Where do I meet for the cruise?
The meeting point is the harbour at Seahouses (NE68 7RN).
Will there be commentary during the trip?
Yes — a full commentary is given en route and the skipper and crew are available to answer questions.
Is the cruise suitable for children?
The tour is described as suitable for all ages.