Discover Coquet Island

Crammed with birdlife for half the year, Coquet Island sits a mile off the coast of Amble. You can’t step foot on the island, but you can come tantalisingly close on a boat trip from Amble to see the puffins that return to breed in spring.

The ‘Clowns of the Sea’

Every spring, Coquet Island becomes bustling with birdlife as some 35,000 seabirds cram onto this tiny island to breed. Most famously, puffins whose cute and clumsy mannerisms have earned them the nickname of the ‘clowns of the sea’, visit in their thousands.

Their brightly coloured beaks, waddling gait and comical appearance are just a few of the puffins’ charms, and an easy boat trip from Amble means you can spot them for yourself. You cannot get off the boat and step onto the island, but trips generally last for one hour and allow you to see the wildlife up-close.

As well as other bird species, such as roseate terns, eider ducks and oystercatchers, a Grey Seal colony stays here year-round and is often spotted bobbing in the waters and lazing on the rocks on the east side of the island.

Amble

Home to a harbour filled with fish shacks, seafood eateries, and pastel-painted beach huts, the waterfront town of Amble hugs the River Coquet estuary at the southern gateway to the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Birdwatching at Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre, Northumberland

Wildlife and birdwatching

Don’t forget your binoculars when you visit Northumberland. The sheer diversity of our landscape makes for some of the best wildlife discovery in the country, where you can spot everything from seals, dolphins and seabirds, to red squirrels, deer and a huge variety of other birdlife. Discover our nature reserves, home to many species of wildlife or get up close and visit a bird of prey centre.

Tours of Northumberland

Let an expert guide you through Northumberland's sweeping landscapes and wealth of fascinating historical sites. From guided cycling tours, to captivating wildlife tours, to movie-themed castle tours, there are group excursions to suit all kinds of interests and tastes.

Warkworth

A high street framed by a 12th-century church and a magnificent castle, artisan shops, and incredible views, it's no wonder why this ancient village is a must-see. Warkworth is small, but it contains a wealth of history just waiting to be discovered.

Places to stay near Coquet Island

Find your ideal Coquet Island cottage break or a hotel stay that’s perfect for puffin-spotting! There is no accommodation on the island, but nearby villages scattered along Northumberland’s staggering coastline offer a number of accommodation options.

Amble Inn

The Amble Inn

The Amble Inn is the place to eat, drink, sleep, and explore from at the southern gateway to the magnificent Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

What's nearby?

Another fantastic spot for wildlife watching, this discovery centre is renowned for its birdlife and sweeping views across Druridge Bay.

Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre

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