easy
4 hours
Suitable for most fitness levels; mainly seated with occasional boarding activity
Set off from Ilfracombe for a four-hour marine journey to Lundy Island, where dolphins, whales, and Atlantic Grey seals abound. Experience one of England’s most dramatic coastal landscapes with Ilfracombe Sea Safari.
The Lundy Experience offers a captivating marine adventure departing from Ilfracombe, a quaint harbor town on the North Devon coast of England. Situated roughly 20 miles offshore, Lundy Island rises from the Bristol Channel with towering granite cliffs and rugged, windswept terrain that make it an iconic destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
Ilfracombe Sea Safari’s four-hour journey to Lundy provides an intimate encounter with some of the region’s most compelling marine wildlife. Visitors are likely to spot pods of playful dolphins and the occasional porpoise cutting through the waves, while sightings of majestic whales lend a profound sense of scale to the vast ocean landscape. One of the excursion’s standout moments comes when passengers draw near a large colony of Atlantic Grey seals hauled out on rocky outcrops, their weathered faces and sleek bodies a living hallmark of these waters.
This route carves along dramatic cliff faces, offering vistas of jagged granite formations that bear the marks of millennia of erosion by wind and tide. Lundy Island itself carries a rich history—once a smuggling haven and now part of a designated Marine Conservation Zone, it balances human history with protected natural habitats.
Ilfracombe Sea Safari occupies a unique place in Devon’s outdoor adventure scene, combining accessible day-trips with immersive encounters with the maritime environment. Their knowledgeable guides bring stories of local lore and environmental stewardship to life, making it more than just a boat ride—it’s a revealing passage into the wild heart of England’s west coast.
Whether you’re drawn by the chance to see rare wildlife or the dramatic seascapes framed by enduring granite cliffs, the Lundy Experience offers a memorable journey that connects travelers directly to this remote and captivating corner of nature.
The Bristol Channel can be cool and breezy even in summer, so waterproof and windproof clothing helps keep you comfortable.
Pack binoculars to better observe distant marine mammals and bird colonies on Lundy’s cliffs.
The boat fills quickly during peak season; arriving early ensures you get the best views from the deck.
If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider preventative medication as the boat crosses open ocean waters.
Lundy Island has a past marked by smuggling and piracy; it also served as a site for World War II defenses.
Lundy is a Marine Conservation Zone, with strict protections to preserve its unique marine and bird life, underscoring sustainable tourism efforts.
Protects against wind and sea spray throughout the year.
Enhances distant viewing of seals, dolphins, and seabirds.
Reduces glare off the water during sunny summer days.
summer specific
Recommended for those sensitive to waves on open water trips.