Island castle on rocky isle with deep blue sea, Farne Islands boat tour

Discover the Farne Islands Wildlife with Billy Shiel's Boat Trips

Wildlife and heritage cruises from Seahouses to Inner Farne, Holy Island, and seal colonies — scenic views, expert commentary, and seasonal puffin sightings.

Featured Tours

Wildlife, seal, puffin and Holy Island cruises departing from Seahouses — options for every season and tide.

Seahouses

Water Activities & Nature Tour with Billy Shiel's Boat Trips

Join Billy Shiel’s Boat Trips for a 2.5-hour voyage to the Farne Islands, where seabirds, seals, and history collide in a spectacular setting. Discover why this trip is a must-do for adventure seekers in Northumberland.

Water Activities & Nature Tour with Billy Shiel's Boat Trips

Water Activities with Billy Shiel's Boat Trips at Holy Island

Set sail on a scenic 4.5-hour boat trip to Holy Island with Billy Shiel's, combining stunning coastline views with historic sites and local delights. Discover why this expedition stands out among UK water adventures.

Water Activities with Billy Shiel's Boat Trips at Holy Island

Seahouses

Sunset Cruise at Farne Islands with Billy Shiel's Boat Trips

Set sail on a memorable sunset cruise from Seahouses with Billy Shiel's Boat Trips. Witness the nesting seabirds and playful seals of the Farne Islands as the sun sets behind historic Bamburgh Castle.

Sunset Cruise at Farne Islands with Billy Shiel's Boat Trips

Seahouses

Explore the Farne Islands: Grey Seal Cruises and Seabird Spectacles

Cruise around the Farne Islands from Seahouses to see thousands of Grey Seals and nesting seabirds including puffins. Perfect all year, this 1.5-hour wildlife adventure combines breathtaking scenery with fascinating natural history and is ideal for all ages.

Explore the Farne Islands: Grey Seal Cruises and Seabird Spectacles

Seahouses

Puffin Seabird Cruise with Seals: Explore Farne Islands’ Wildlife Wonders

Set sail from Seahouses on a two-hour Puffin Seabird Cruise to the Farne Islands, home to bustling puffin colonies, Grey Seal haul-outs, and the storied route of Grace Darling’s heroic rescue. Discover why this wildlife-packed boat trip is a must-do activity on England’s Northumberland coast.

About Billy Shiel's Boat Trips

Billy Shiel's Boat Trips operates from Seahouses, England, offering a range of Farne Islands and coastal cruises focused on wildlife, history and scenic views. The company runs short and extended trips including the Inner Farne landing Boat Trip, Holy Island/Lindisfarne excursions aboard the new double-decker Farne's Lass, Sunset Cruises, Grey Seal Cruises with Seabirds, and Puffin Seabird Cruises with Seals. Each voyage includes knowledgeable commentary about local wildlife and heritage, with opportunities to see Grey Seals, Puffins and thousands of nesting seabirds during the breeding season.

The Inner Farne landing Boat Trip is a 2.5-hour visit to Inner Farne, highlighting St Cuthbert's legacy and the Grace Darling story. Holy Island/Lindisfarne cruises are 4.5-hour scenic journeys that visit Lindisfarne, feature views of Lindisfarne Castle, and include a complimentary mead sample at St Aidan’s Winery. Sunset Cruises circle the Farne Islands at dusk with coastal views and the chance to spot dolphins and Bamburgh Castle at sunset. The 1.5-hour Grey Seal Cruise focuses on seal colonies and seabird colonies and is suitable for all ages and is dog-friendly. The 2-hour Puffin Seabird Cruise emphasizes Puffins, Arctic Terns and seal watching with expert crew commentary. Sailings depart from Seahouses harbour, with options across seasons and tides. Booking information, schedules and availability are published by the operator; visitors should check tide times and trip details before travel.

Tours suit photographers, families and wildlife enthusiasts seeking coastal scenery, seal and seabird encounters from Seahouses harbour on small to medium-sized passenger vessels with informative onboard commentary.

Atlantic puffin perched on coastal rock, wildlife viewing at Farne Islands

Billy Shiel's Boat Trips — Seahouses Farne Islands Cruises

Explore the Farne Islands, Puffins, Grey Seals and Lindisfarne from Seahouses. Billy Shiel's Boat Trips operates a variety of wildlife and heritage cruises that depart from Seahouses harbour and visit Inner Farne, the wider Farne Islands and Holy Island (Lindisfarne). Trips range from short seal and seabird cruises to extended Holy Island excursions aboard the new double-decker Farne's Lass.

Why book a cruise from Seahouses

Access to the Farne Islands’ largest wildlife colonies.
Multiple trip lengths to suit families, photographers and birdwatchers.
Expert onboard commentary explaining local history and natural history.
Seasonal highlights such as Puffins and Arctic Terns during the breeding season.

Main cruises and what to expect

Inner Farne landing Boat Trip — 2.5 hours: Landing on Inner Farne, exploration of St Cuthbert heritage and the Grace Darling story, plus seabird colonies and seal sightings.
Holy Island / Lindisfarne — 4.5 hours: Scenic round trip to Holy Island aboard the new double-decker Farne's Lass, views of Lindisfarne Castle, and a complimentary mead sample at St Aidan’s Winery.
Sunset Cruise: Evening cruise around the Farne Islands with coastal views, potential dolphin sightings and sunsets behind Bamburgh Castle.
Grey Seal Cruise with Seabirds — 1.5 hours: Short, informative cruise focused on Grey Seals and nesting seabirds; suitable for all ages and dog-friendly.
Puffin Seabird Cruise with Seals — 2 hours: Targeted during puffin breeding season to view Puffins, Arctic Terns and the Grey Seal colony with expert crew commentary.

Wildlife and heritage highlights

Puffins, Arctic Terns and thousands of nesting seabirds during breeding season.
Large Grey Seal colonies around the Farne Islands visible from close-range boat routes.
Historical points of interest: St Cuthbert’s connection to the Farne Islands, the story of Grace Darling, and Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island.

Practical information

Departure point: Seahouses harbour. Confirm sailing times and availability with the operator before travel.
Vessel note: Holy Island excursions operate aboard the new double-decker Farne's Lass for that specific trip.
Accessibility: Trip lengths vary; visitors should check tide times and trip specifics for landings and returns.
Family-friendly and seasonal considerations: Cruises run across seasons with different wildlife viewing opportunities; the Grey Seal Cruise is explicitly dog-friendly.

Book with confidence

For wildlife watching, coastal scenery and a mix of natural and historical interpretation, cruises from Seahouses to the Farne Islands and Holy Island offer clear, focused options: landing visits to Inner Farne, stamp-worthy views of Lindisfarne Castle, puffin and seal-focused outings, plus sunset and coastal cruises. Check schedules, tide information and trip durations before booking to choose the right cruise for wildlife interests and timing.

Dramatic coastal sunset over tidal flats, evening wildlife boat cruise

Reserve Farne Islands Cruises from Seahouses

Secure seats for Inner Farne landings, Holy Island excursions, sunset cruises and seal or puffin trips — check schedules and tide times before booking.