When to see the puffins on the Farne Islands

The puffins are the Farne Islands' great crowd pullers, and the good news for anyone staying in Seahouses is that the boats leave from the harbour at the end of the street.

The season. Puffins arrive on the islands from late March or early April to breed and stay until late July, when the pufflings fledge and the whole colony returns to the open sea. May, June and early July are the peak months, with tens of thousands of birds on the islands. Outside those months the Farnes are still worth the crossing for the seals, which pup in the autumn, and for the seabird cliffs in spring.

The boats. Several long established operators run from Seahouses harbour. Sailaround trips circle the islands and run for most of the year; landing trips put you ashore on Inner Farne, where the National Trust manages visiting, and give you the closest views of the puffins whirring in with beakfuls of sand eels. Landings are limited, so book ahead in peak season, either at the harbour kiosks or online.

What to bring. A windproof jacket whatever the month, something waterproof to sit on, and a hat in tern season, since the Arctic terns on Inner Farne famously defend their nests from above. Binoculars help but are not essential; the birds are genuinely everywhere.

The practical bit. Crossings take around twenty minutes each way and are tide and weather dependent, so build a spare morning into your stay in case a trip moves. Staying in the village means you can be on the quayside minutes after the skipper calls.