Discover the sights and sounds of Rathlin Island this season

Every spring and summer thousands of seabirds come to the cliffs to breed, including Puffins, Fulmar, Kittiwakes and Razorbills. In turn, thousands of visitor’s flocks to witness the magic of a seabird city at rush hour.

With spectacular scenery and an abundance of wildlife, a visit to Rathlin Island is a wonderful day out, with something for everyone. The RSPB Rathlin West light Seabird Centre is open until the end of summer. But if you’re making your first visit to the island, here is everything you need to know, to make the most of your visit. 

Your journey to Rathlin begins with a visit to Ballycastle, where you can park up and grab a ferry to the island. The boat takes about 45 minutes to get across and is the perfect chance to start your wildlife spotting, from dolphins swimming alongside the boat to Puffins bobbing along the open water.

The ferry operates a winter and summer schedule, so make sure to check the ferry times and book ahead of your visit. Book your ticket here: Rathlin Ferry | Sailingfrom Ballycastle to Rathlin Island

Cars are not allowed on the island unless under special permission, but you can book to bring a bike with you if you’re up for a cycle around Rathlin.

Please note: Ferries can and do get cancelled in bad weather. Parking charges are now enforced at many of the carparks in Ballycastle (check the council’s website for more information).

Once you get to the island, there are a few options for how to start your trip. If your main focus is to get to the seabird centre to see Puffins and other seabirds, then you can either walk the trails if you’re up for a hike, or you can grab the handy Puffin bus which departs every 30 minutes near the ferry terminal.

The Puffin bus costs £5 for return, but is cash only, so make sure to bring some with you. Exact change is always appreciated! (Not quite so easy to run to the bank for change on the island).

No visit to the island is complete without a trip to the West Light Seabird Centre, nestled at the top of the Island, the Puffin bus will drop you right outside the welcome centre, where you’ll be immediately greeted by the sight, sound and smell of the seabirds on the cliffs.

From May to July, the cliffs come alive with tens of thousands of seabirds, including Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots, Fulmars and Kittiwakes, creating a vibrant and noisy spectacle as they raise their chicks on the cliff edges.

The centre offers close-up views of this bustling seabird colony, with friendly RSPB staff and volunteers on hand to answer questions and provide binoculars and telescopes for a better viewing experience. Entry into the visitor centre costs £9.00 for non-RSPB members.

Accessing the viewing platform involves descending 98 steps down the cliffside, and an additional 64 steps lead to the bottom floor of the unique ‘upside down’ lighthouse. The Centre is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, with the last entry at 4:00 pm, until September.

Rathlin Island offers a range of scenic walking trails that give visitors a chance to explore its diverse wildlife, dramatic coastal landscapes, and tranquil atmosphere beyond the bustling seabird cliffs near the RSPB West Light Seabird Centre.

One of the most accessible is the Craigmacagan Nature Reserve Trail, a gentle 2.1km route that winds through a peaceful reserve filled with wildflowers, where lucky visitors might spot the island’s famous Golden Hares — a rare genetic variation of the Irish hare.

For those seeking more of a challenge, the Roonivoolin Trail offers a longer loop through Rathlin’s southern region, with sweeping sea views and the chance to encounter Buzzards, Peregrine Falcons, and Skylarks along the way.

The Kinramer North and South Trails take walkers through open fields and past rugged cliffs, providing stunning viewpoints across the Atlantic and a sense of the island’s remoteness. Each trail is well-marked and varies in difficulty, making them suitable for a range of abilities.

Together, these paths provide an immersive way to connect with Rathlin’s unique blend of nature and history at your own pace.

Looking for more information places to eat, drink or stay on the Island? Then make sure to visit www.rathlin360.com for more ideas and inspiration on making the most of your visit to Rathlin island.

For those who do make the visit, make sure to snap some photographs or videos and tag @rspb_ni on Instagram or on Facebook!