Visiting Lundy Island: Complete Guide to Lundy Island Trips

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If you’re craving rugged cliffs, wild landscapes, and the chance to spot puffins up close, Lundy Island needs to be on your list. Located off the North Devon coast, this tiny island makes for an unforgettable experience, whether you visit for one day or stay overnight.

When I visited Lundy, I found it tricky to figure out the logistics – boat schedules, costs, what to pack, and how much time I’d actually need to make the most of my visit.

That’s why I created this in-depth guide to visiting Lundy Island to save you time and make your planning as simple as possible.

This comprehensive guide covers all the key information you’ll need to plan your day trip to Lundy Island, including how to get there, what to do, when to visit for the best wildlife sightings, and honest tips from someone who’s done it.

So, whether you’re a Devon local looking for a unique day out, a nature lover dreaming of spotting puffins or diving with seals, or a holidaymaker after a wild and peaceful escape, I’m here to make sure you feel fully prepared for your visit. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about visiting Lundy Island!

Why Visit Lundy Island?

Lundy Island is a granite outcrop – three miles long and half a mile wide – off the coast of North Devon, England. The epitome of the word ‘unspoiled’, Lundy enjoys peace and tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the UK.

In this day and age, it’s almost impossible to get away from the constant hum of traffic. But Lundy Island truly provides respite from the rat race.

With no roads, vehicles or pollution and only a limited number of visitors allowed each day, Lundy offers a secure and isolated home to an impressive variety of wildlife.

The unique, rugged terrain and wide, open seas provide refuge for dolphins, whales, porpoises, seals, puffins, Sika deer, Highland cattle and ponies, to name just a few. So, whether you’re a lover of landscapes, nature, or both, Lundy Island is the place for you.

Day Trip or Overnight Stay: Which Should You Choose?

A day trip to Lundy Island is a great way to get a feel for the island if you’ve never been before. After spending a day on the island, we decided we definitely wanted to return for a longer, overnight trip to explore more and enjoy the tranquillity for longer.

As the journey on the MS Oldenburg takes 2 hours to reach the island, you’re not left with a huge amount of time to explore before leaving later the same day. In total, if visiting Lundy Island on a day trip, you only have 4-5 hours on the island.

The next time I visit, I will book an overnight stay in one of the cottages on Lundy Island, or perhaps even stay on the campsite if the weather is good.

Accommodation on Lundy Island

Lundy Island is owned by the National Trust and run by the Landmark Trust. You can book one of the 23 self-catering properties directly on the Landmark Trust website.

There is a huge variety of accommodation types, including rustic stone cottages, a vestry, a cabin which once housed the island’s former Sunday school, an old lighthouse keepers cottage, an actual lighthouse, a large classical villa and a barn – not to mention the island’s only campsite too!

The island even has two solo occupancy cottages (Old Light Cottage and the Radio Room), which makes an overnight stay on Lundy Island perfect for solo travellers!

The island has everything you need for a short stay, with a shop, pub, church and plenty to keep you busy. The only thing to note is that there are no TVs, radios or telephones in the cottages, and the electric supply is usually turned off between midnight and 6 am, which really forces you to disconnect from the world and connect with your surroundings instead.

You can also camp on Lundy if you’re feeling brave, although the weather can be somewhat unpredictable.

Travel costs are not included in the accommodation cost, so you’ll need to book your ferry crossing separately.

The good thing about staying overnight? Once the day-trippers have gone home, you have the entire island to yourself.

How to Get to Lundy Island

Lundy Island is only accessible via one boat – the MS Oldenburg. Built in 1958, the MS Oldenburg retains many of its original fixtures and fittings, making the boat trip an experience in itself.

The journey to Lundy takes approximately two hours, with up to four scheduled sailings each week from either Ilfracombe or Bideford. Check the timetable for up-to-date departure times. 2026 day return tickets cost £59 for adults and £30 for children. National Trust members benefit from a lower ticket price of £54.

If you’re lucky enough (as we were), you may even be treated to a friendly pod of dolphins following the ship! It was truly amazing!

One of my favourite things about Lundy? It never feels crowded, due to the fact that the MS Oldenburg only carries up to 267 people to the island each day.

If you’ve got cash to splash, you can also book a helicopter ride to or from the island! Book your MS Oldenburg tickets on the Landmark Trust website.

What is the Best Time to Visit Lundy Island?

Lundy is wild and gorgeous all year round. In the winter months, between November and March, a helicopter service runs between Lundy Island and Hartland Point twice a week. The helicopter flight is much quicker than the trip by MS Oldenburg, but much more expensive.

Spring (March to June) and Autumn (August to November) are the best times to visit for birdwatching and finer weather, although in typical UK fashion, good weather is never guaranteed.

In Spring and Summer, thousands of migrant birds pass through, with up to 35 species nesting on the island, including Skylarks, Puffins and Water Rail. The best time to see puffins is during the breeding season, between April and July.

If you’re keen to enjoy some hiking while on Lundy Island, visiting during Spring and Summer will likely allow for better walking conditions and more daylight to explore the island.

What Is There To Do on Lundy Island?

Look Out for Puffins (and Other Birds)

The word ‘Lundy’ is Norse for ‘Puffin Island’, so it’s no wonder that thousands of people are keen to catch a glimpse of these magnificent birds each year.

Head to Lundy between April and July, while they are nesting, for the best chance. Other birds you can spot include Manx Shearwaters, Razorbills, Guillemots, Water Rails and many more.

If you’re a keen birdwatcher, don’t forget to take your binoculars.

Snorkelling and Scuba Diving

Snorkelling and diving are some of the best and most unique ways to experience the wildlife and nature of Lundy Island.

As one of the British Isles’ prime diving sites, Lundy offers rich and diverse marine life and a bounty of shipwrecks to explore, including the opportunity to interact with playful seals!

While scuba diving on Lundy Island is best suited to experienced divers, the Lundy Island Wardens also run Snorkel Safaris, which last 1.5 hours and cost £20 (including the cost of the equipment hire).

You can book diving trips with a few different companies, including Lundy Diving. Lundy Diving are really focused on the ethics of diving with seals, which is very important with any animal interactions.

Hiking and Walking

If you love hiking, you are in for a treat! While the island is only three miles long, you won’t be able to hike it quickly, purely because the views are so jaw-dropping, you’ll have to stop repeatedly to take it all in.

Whether the sun shines from wall to wall or you get drenched by rain, I suggest you just go for it. Of course, if you’re visiting Lundy on a day trip, it’s important to be mindful of the distance back to the boat to make sure you’re not left behind, as the boat will leave with or without you!

Other Things to Do on Lundy Island

• Climbing – Lundy is a popular destination for avid climbers. The Devil’s Slide is a particularly common route.
• Fishing – Lundy promotes sustainable fishing and is home to a wide variety of fish.
• Enjoy a bite to eat in Lundy’s only pub, the Marisco Tavern.
• Check out Lundy’s historical buildings and monuments – some of which include the Victorian church, the 13th-century castle and the UK’s tallest lighthouse.

Where to Eat on Lundy Island

There aren’t many food options on Lundy Island, which is part of its charm. The Marisco Tavern is Lundy’s only pub and restaurant, serving high-quality food at breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, much of which is local to Lundy, including local pork sausages.

There is also a general store which is located close to the village. Lundy General Stores stocks an impressive range of groceries and souvenirs, including fresh and frozen foods, household goods, toiletries and beers, wines and spirits – all the important things!

The store also stocks vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free items, as well as local and free-range products.

If you are unable to carry your shopping back to your accommodation, you can arrange with the shop for it to be delivered to your accommodation.

If you’re visiting Lundy on a day trip and don’t want to spend time in the pub, I recommend bringing a packed lunch.

What to Pack for a Trip to Lundy Island

Due to its exposed location, the weather on Lundy Island can be temperamental, so it’s important to take clothing for all weathers. Take plenty of waterproofs, hiking boots and comfortable warm clothing, with plenty of layers.

If you’re visiting for the day, take plenty of water and food for the day. Don’t forget sunscreen, too.

Tips for Visiting Lundy Island for the First Time

Visiting Lundy Island for the first time? Here are a few things I wish I’d known before our trip:

While the pub is gorgeous and very cosy, you only get 4-6 hours on the island, and I felt time was better spent hiking, birdwatching and enjoying the scenery. I recommend taking a packed lunch with you to enjoy a picnic in a beautiful spot, rather than spending time indoors in the pub, unless you really love pubs!

When you get onto the MS Oldenburg, try to grab a spot next to the railings. This way, you’ll be able to keep an eye out for dolphins following the boat!

The ferry will leave on time with or without you, so set an alarm on your phone to make sure you can make it back in time!

If you’re visiting for the day, don’t walk too far away from the ferry port, as you’ll be running back to the ferry before it leaves! If you get left on the island, the only option is to sleep on the pub floor! Apparently, it has happened many times.

Take warm clothes, layers and waterproofs. The weather can be changeable.