Stephane Lawes
22 September 2025
Standing alone in the North Sea, just over a mile from the town of Amble on Northumberland’s coastline, the seabird sanctuary of Coquet Island is a fascinating sight.
Home to over 40,000 breeding seabirds, it’s an RSPB nature reserve and is protected under European law due to the rare presence of the Roseate Tern – the island accounts for 90% of the species' UK population.
Read on to learn about the history of Coquet Island, its world-famous bird population, and the boat trips you can board to see the very best of the island. To find the perfect base for your avian adventures, click the link below and explore our collection of holiday cottages in Amble.
The history of Coquet Island
Although now largely uninhabited and closed to the public, Coquet Island has a long history of human residents, spanning from 7th-century monks to 19th-century lighthouse keepers – and now RSPB wardens who live and work on the island through the spring and summer.
The wardens’ responsibilities? To monitor the enormous population of seabirds that inhabit almost every nook and cranny of the island. It’s because of this one-of-a-kind bird population that members of the public are not allowed to step foot on the island – even TV personality Robson Green was confined to his boat when he sailed over to film his Weekend Escapes BBC series.
However, it’s still possible to view the island’s seabirds that include Roseate and other species of Terns. Bird spotters can stay on the mainland, watching a live video feed of the island from Amble, or embrace adventure and board a boat trip – licensed by the RSPB – that departs from Amble Harbour and offers a close-up view. Scroll down for more information on local boat cruises.
The birds of Coquet Island
Puffins arrive at Coquet Island in March and April every year – they’re so popular amongst the mainland locals, that Amble hosts an annual Puffin Festival! Thousands of pairs nest underground in old rabbit burrows, each rearing a single puffin. In August, some leave to head north, while others head south to the Bay of Biscay.
Since the 7th century, Eiders – the heaviest and fastest flying ducks in the UK – have sought refuge at Coquet Island. They pluck their downy breast feathers to line their nests, where they can lay up to eight eggs.
Fulmars add to the diversity of the island’s wildlife – they are less attached to the mainland than most seabird species and forage far out to sea. Kittiwakes also congregate in spring; their nests are usually perched on ledges or in crevices so narrow that they appear in danger of blowing away.
Arctic, Common and Sandwich Terns also nest on Coquet Island, mostly in cleared areas amongst the nettles surrounding the lighthouse. In August and September, they make the long journey to Africa, before returning to the island in spring.
Roseate Terns are the UK’s rarest seabirds and a globally declining species, which is why the safe haven of Coquet Island is so important. Fewer than 80 pairs nest on the island, yet they represent more than 90% of the species’ UK population. The Roseate Terns summer on Coquet Island before starting their marathon winter migration to Africa.
Boat trips to Coquet Island
When it comes to finding the perfect boat trip to get up close to Coquet Island, there’s one go-to option, and that’s Dave Gray’s Puffin Cruises. As seen on the BBC’s Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes, this family-run business has sailed keen bird watchers around the island for over 40 years.
Sailing out of Amble Harbour, the Puffin Cruises service also offers the chance to spot colonies of grey seals both in the water or more likely on the east side of the island. We recommend booking your cruise in advance, as plenty of people flock to the island during nesting season.
Start planning your Northumberland getaway
The harbour town of Amble offers the perfect base to uncover Coquet Island. It also serves as a great base for adventures deeper into Northumberland, with nearby destinations including the Northumberland Coast National Landscape, the castle village of Bamburgh, and the dramatic Northumberland National Park.
Click the link below to explore our collection of properties around Amble and start planning your Northumberland escape today.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.