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Gannet and Puffin cruises
Various dates between 5 May and 14 July 2012
- Staff on hand to help
- Refreshments available
- Parking
- Toilets
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With expert commentary provided on every cruise, you'll get all the help needed to identify the sheer number and variety of birds that make Bempton Cliffs and Flamborough Head their home.
From May onwards, the cliffs of Bempton and Flamborough become a little crowded with over 200,000 seabirds setting up home for the summer.
Us gannets might feed miles offshore, but you'll definitely see us flying overhead on our seemingly never-ending task to feed our growing young!
And on our travels, we'll be joined by thousands of other seabirds, from colourful puffins and kittiwakes with their wings dipped in ink, to sleek-looking razorbills.
Take a Gannet and Puffin Cruise and you'll get so close to the cliff, you'll almost be able to touch us. But don't get too close - those fulmar chicks like to spit out foul-smelling, and sticky oil on intruders. And that includes you!
As well as flying above you, if you're really lucky you may see my friends and I plunging headfirst into the sea around the boat. As it travels through the water, the boat stirs up a tasty meal, or two, that we're not shy about taking.
On the three-hour round trip from Bridlington Harbour, ideal for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts, you'll visit the spectacular chalk cliffs at Bempton and Flamborough Head. Just be sure you make an early reservation for your ringside seat to our noisy seabird city - we're very popular.
Expert commentators from the RSPB's East Yorkshire Local Group are on board each cruise to help you identify the birds, and to ensure all passengers have an enjoyable trip.
Tickets cost: Adult £18, child under 14 £9, and family £45 (two adults and two children). The family cruise costs: Adult £15, child under 14 £7.50, and family £37.50.
Visitor comments
The most amazing boat and bird trip I have ever been on!
Anonymous
Puffins, razorbills and guillemots taking off and diving all around the boat!
Anonymous
The best thing about the trip was having the opportunity to be so amazingly close to the birds and their summer habitat!
Anonymous
We could only marvel at the spectacle of awesomely huge cliffs towering above us and teeming with the incessant activity and noise of thousands of birds!
Anonymous
When can you see us?
There are a number of cruises throughout May to July. Take a look below for the dates and times, then simply click on the link for the cruise you're interested in for more information.
To book your place by credit or debit card, please contact Kim Smales (details below), or you can pay by cheque - made payable to The RSPB - with your name, address, contact telephone number and details of the tickets and date you want to Kim Smales, The RSPB, 11 Cliff Lane, Bempton, East Yorkshire YO15 1JD.
Although every effort will be made to sail, the final decision will remain with the owners and the skipper of the boat. An answering machine service will carry details of whether the trip will be taking place the evening before your departure. Details of this service will be sent with your ticket.
What's at the site?
The 'Yorkshire Belle' offers ample covered and outside seating, and there is a saloon bar serving hot and cold drinks including beer and spirits. There are toilets on board.
Although we try to ensure that cruises take place in reasonable sea conditions, occasionally adverse weather or bigger swells can be encountered on a trip.
The boat owners advise us that access to the boats at Bridlington harbour by passengers with restricted mobility is difficult. As the safety and comfort of our passengers is of paramount importance, we ask that any disabled person considering coming on a seabird cruise, please phone 01262 850959 for advice before booking.
We are happy for passengers to bring their dogs on board but please note, in order to comply with Health and Safety guidance, they must be small enough to fit underneath the seats and be comfortable doing so. We do need to monitor the number of dogs on each cruise and owners MUST therefore check availability by phoning 01262 850959 before booking. Dogs not mentioned on the passenger list will unfortunately be refused permission to board.
How to find us
All cruises depart from Bridlington's North Pier. Details will be sent with your tickets.
What should I bring?
Passengers can buy refreshments on board, or bring their own. Passengers will need warm waterproof clothing, however you can go below deck. No tripods please.
Still got some questions?
Telephone: Kim Smales, Cruise co-ordinator, on 01262 850959 to book by credit or debit card. Please note, the telephone is manned on a part-time basis. If the phone switches to answerphone please leave a short message and we will call you back.
E-mail: bempton.cruises@rspb.org.uk
Events
Join us on one of the many events planned - we hope to see you there!
May
Sunday 27 May
June
Saturday 2 June
Sunday 3 June
Saturday 9 June
Saturday 16 June
Sunday 24 June
Saturday 30 June
July
Sunday 8 July
Saturday 14 July