Set sail from Conwy Quay on a wildlife expedition to Puffin Island. Discover seabird colonies, playful seals, and perhaps even dolphins in Wales’s rugged waters—an adventure perfect for nature lovers.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most levels; walking on the boat is minimal
Wildlife
History
Puffin Island has been a nesting site for seabirds for centuries, with local legends highlighting its importance to Welsh maritime history.
Conservation
The area is actively managed to preserve its wildlife, with guidelines in place to minimize disturbance during breeding seasons.
Aquatour
Set sail from Conwy Quay on a wildlife expedition to Puffin Island. Discover seabird colonies, playful seals, and perhaps even dolphins in Wales’s rugged waters—an adventure perfect for nature lovers.
Aquatour is a Conwy, Wales–based boat tour operator offering high-speed powerboat and RIB experiences along North Wales' coastline. From its departure point in Conwy, Aquatour runs a range of trips that showcase the Great Orme, Puffin Island, the Menai Straits and surrounding coastal landmarks. Trips include the Great Orme & Puffin Island Fly By (one hour), the Puffin Island Wildlife Adventure, the Menai Straits RIB Expedition (two hours), the Great Orme Sea Life Voyage, and a 40-minute Seal Safari.
Each trip combines scenic coastal cruising with wildlife watching opportunities. Guests can expect views of dramatic cliffs, seabird colonies, historic WWII gun sites, seals, and the potential to spot dolphins and puffins near Puffin Island. The Menai Straits RIB Expedition highlights the Swellies and other tidal features while the Great Orme itineraries focus on cliffs, coves and sea life.
Aquatour’s trips vary in pace from leisurely wildlife observation to adrenaline-driven high-speed rides, catering to families, photographers and adventure seekers. Narration and local commentary feature on select departures, providing context about coastal history, natural habitats and notable landmarks. Bookings depart from Conwy with durations ranging from forty minutes to two hours, making the experiences suitable for short excursions or longer coastal explorations. Aquatour emphasizes clear trip descriptions and defined itineraries so visitors can choose trips that match interests in wildlife, scenery or high-speed boating.
Advance booking is recommended; departure times and availability vary seasonally. Visitors should consult Aquatour's official booking channels for exact schedules, trip descriptions and real-time availability before travel planning.
Tours Offered
5
Five distinct boat tours from Conwy
Trip Durations
40 min–2 hrs
Short to extended coastal excursions
Wildlife Seen
Puffins, seals, dolphins
Seabirds and marine mammals observed
Key Landmarks
Great Orme, Puffin Island, Swellies
Historic cliffs and tidal features
Reserve a seat on a Puffin Island wildlife cruise, a Great Orme sea life voyage, or a high-speed Menai Straits RIB expedition — limited spaces per departure.
Wear Weather-Appropriate Clothing
Bring layered clothing and waterproof gear to stay comfortable during boat trips, which can be breezy and unpredictable.
Bring Binoculars
Enhance wildlife viewing with binoculars, especially when spotting seabirds and distant marine mammals.
Book in Advance
Sea trips can fill quickly, so reserving your spot ahead of time ensures participation in preferred times.
Arrive Early
Arriving 15-20 minutes before departure provides time to settle and listen to safety briefings.
Layered Clothing
Allows for adjusting to varying weather conditions during the boat ride.
all
Sunscreen
Protects skin from sun exposure during longer daylight hours.
summer
Camera or Smartphone
Capture stunning wildlife moments and scenic vistas.
all
Binoculars
Enhance your ability to see distant seabirds and marine animals clearly.
all