Ramsey Island

Address: RSPB Ramsey Island, St Davids, Pembrokeshire. SA62 6PY

Grid ref: SM706237

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This dramatic offshore island has cliffs that rise up to 120 metres, making them the perfect place for breeding seabirds, flocks of choughs and peregrines. Take a walk along the coastal heathland and enjoy the wildlife, taking in the spectacular views across the Irish Sea.

Plan your visit

Boats cross (weather permitting) from 1st April to 31st of October. In May, June, September and October the island is open Sunday to Thursday (closed Friday and Saturday). In June, July and August the island is open Saturday to Thursday (closed Friday).

Depart from the Old Lifeboat Station at St Justinians at 10am and 12pm, returning at 4pm. Numbers are limited per boat, therefore pre-booking is recommended.

Book your boat ticket through Thousand Islands Expeditions at Cross Square St Davids, SA62 6SL. Book online thousandislands.co.uk or Tel: 01437 721721. Email: info@thousandislands.co.uk

Landing from your own boat

The island is open to private landers from 1st April to 31st October between 10am and 4pm. In May, June, September and October the island is open Sunday to Thursday (closed Friday and Saturday). In June, July and August the island is open Saturday to Thursday (closed Friday).

Private landers should make contact with island staff when they arrive; in the harbour, at the farmhouse or via the phone numbers provided in the harbour so that they can be given information and a map.

Landers who are not members of the RSPB pay a landing fee of £10 for adults and £5 for children, RSPB members can land for free.

Tenders should be pulled clear of the steps so that our passenger boats and pedestrians can land safely. Please do not land on the harbour beach between 1st August and 31st October as grey seals may have pups on this beach.

Only registered assistance dogs are allowed on the reserve.

Biosecurity is extremely important on Ramsey and any vessels or bags should be checked for signs of rodents before landing on the island.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: £10

Children: £5
Free entrance for first child
Free entrance for under 5s

Car park cost

St Justinians Car Park

Please contact Thousand Islands Expeditions 01437 721721 for the latest advice on parking and park and ride options.

Other discounts

Boat fees apply for all: Return boat crossing for adults £17, children £9.50

Facilities

Visitor centre
Car park
Toilets
Refreshments
Picnic area
Binocular hire
Guided walks is closed
Viewing point
Nature trails
Shop is closed

Accessibility

Download full accessibility statement (PDF)

How to get here

By train

The nearest station is Haverfordwest.

By bus

The No. 411 bus service runs between Haverfordwest and St Davids about every hour. From St Davids a shuttle bus runs to St Justinians every hour (April - September).

Additional boat buses operate from St Davids to St Justinian’s during busy periods. Thousand Islands Expeditions can book a seat for you.

By bike

National Route 4: The Celtic Trail.

By road

Nearest town: St Davids. From the centre of the village (Cross Square) take a left onto Goat Street. Take a right onto Pitt Street, then left onto Feidr Treginnis and follow signs for St Justinians (1.5 miles/2.5 km).

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

Boats cross (weather permitting) from the 1 April or Easter (whichever is earlier) to 30 September, Sunday to Thursday (closed Friday and Saturday).

Depart from the Lifeboat Station at St Justinians at 10am and 12pm, returning at 4pm. In 2021 numbers will be limited to 12 passengers per boat to maintain social distancing, therefore pre-booking is essential.

Book your boat ticket through Thousand Island Expeditions at Cross Square, St Davids, Pembrokeshire SA62 6SL. Tel: 01437 721721.

Email: info@thousandislands.co.uk

Get directions from Google Maps

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RSPB reserves on Google Earth

We welcome group visits, but as we are just a small team, please contact us in advance so that we can accommodate you and your interests.

We welcome visits by accompanied school groups. Please contact us in advance so that we ensure you get the most from your visit.

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 570Kb

Ramsey Island map

Contact Ramsey Island

RSPB Ramsey Island, St Davids, Pembrokeshire. SA62 6PY
ramsey.island@rspb.org.uk
07836 535733

What will you see?

Our star species

Chough

Watch for choughs flying along the cliffs and diving into their cave nest sites.

Guillemot

Large numbers of breeding guillemots line up on the cliff ledges from late winter until July.

Peregrine falcon

These dashing falcons nest and hunt on the island's cliffs and off-shore islets.

Common raven

You can see their plummeting display flights from late winter, through the spring and hear their honking calls throughout the year.

Manx shearwater

Thousands nest underground in rabbit burrows, but only venture out after dark.

Nature spectacles

During the summer families of chough gather to feed on the sheep-grazed grassland. Their distinctive calls pierce the air as newly fledged youngsters beg and learn to fend for themselves.

From mid-August onwards Atlantic Grey seals return to the safety of Ramsey's beaches to give birth and mate. Ramsey is the largest single pupping site in the south-west and it is not unusual to see more than 60 seal pups on one beach alone by the middle of September. With females coming in and out to feed their hungry pups and male seals fighting to hold territory, there is plenty of interesting behaviour to watch from the cliff-tops and you might even see a pup being born.

The island's coastline is alive with breeding birds. Peregrine falcons, choughs, ravens and seabirds nest on the 100-metre high cliffs. Wheatears and little owls nest in the stonewalls and forage for insect prey in the maritime grass, grazed by the island's flock of Welsh mountain sheep.

Families of chough feed in large flocks on the short grassland and the heather comes into bloom, filling the air with the heady scent of honey and attracting bees and butterflies.

Atlantic Grey seals arrive from across the Irish Sea to Ramsey where they give birth, with every beach, cove and cave occupied by nursing mothers and their white-coated pups.

In winter the island is closed due to sea conditions. Boats stop running a daily service at the end of October and recommence at Easter or at the beginning of April, which ever comes first.

About Ramsey Island

Habitat

Ramsey Island is a reserve which encompasses heathland, cliffs, coast and ocean habitats.

Conservation

Ramsey is a Special Protection Area for chough and keeping the grassland short and grazed enables these birds to probe for their invertebrate food. We manage a flock of welsh mountain sheep for this reason.

The small shallow pools in Ramsey's heathland are home to several nationally or internationally important plant species. It is essential to keep the ponds open and the edges poached and this is the job of our Welsh Mountain Ponies.

In 1999/2000 Ramsey was cleared of the brown rats that had decimated the island's bird populations for 100 years. We maintain the highest standards of bio-security in order to ensure rats and mice, which have disastrous impacts on seabird colonies, are never re-introduced to the island.

Visit the Biosecurity for Life webpage for more information.

Site information

Ramsey Island is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK, and is recognised as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Natura 2000 site.

Ramsey Island is now free of rats and mice, which means that ground and burrow-nesting birds can breed safely.

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What people are saying about Ramsey Island

Excellent trail and beautiful views. Wheatears in abundance and treated to a flock of choughs. Want to go back in spring for the seabirds.

Andrew Kent

We had a superb day, the staff on the island were v friendly to us. Tho it was misty in places, we got excellent views of the peregrines on the cliff. A very tranquil time.

Louise Warrington

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

Ramsey bingo sheets are available for all ages on arrival and binoculars are available to hire.

There are a limited number of guided walks on the island in spring and summer. These can be booked via Thousand Islands Expeditions online via their website or by phoning 01437 721721.

For more information on events and to book tickets, please visit events.rspb.org.uk/ramseyisland

Leisure activities

Ramsey is a quiet escape from the everyday world. With numbers limited each day the island offers the solitude that many people crave and is much loved by walkers and nature-watchers alike. With two walking trails you can choose from a gentle stroll to a more challenging ramble up and over the island's hills. The reserve team offer a friendly welcome and are available to offer advice and answer questions, we can even make you a cup of tea.

Ramsey Island