Isle of May Boat Trip: A Guide to Puffins, Seals & Anstruther Adventures
If you’re looking for a Scottish island adventure with awesome nature, a boat trip to the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth is an unforgettable experience!
Imagine stepping off a boat onto a tiny Scottish island alive with thousands of puffins squawking overhead, grey seal pups playing along the shore, and the salty sea breeze in your hair.
Over 100,000 nesting puffins call this island home from April to August. 2,000 pups are born each autumn, and around 300 adults live here year-round.
From our first glimpse of the island from the water to wandering its historic ruins, every moment is unforgettable.
Isle of May Ferry and Boat Routes
Let’s start with the basics of getting to the Isle of May. To make the most of your visit, it’s important to choose the right boat trip — book a ‘landing trip’ so you can actually step ashore.
Otherwise, you’ll enjoy a scenic ride without being able to explore the island.
There are three main east coast Scottish ports where boats depart:
- Anstruther (Fife) – our departure point and the focus of this guide. This route offers the shortest crossing and the largest boats.
- North Berwick (East Lothian) – smaller RIB-style trips; some guided, some independent.
- Dunbar (East Lothian) – fast RIB trips with a mix of guided and independent options.
Short on time? We recommend booking an Isle of May boat trip from Anstruther, our preferred route and operator. This ensures you land on the island and enjoy the full experience
What To Know Before You Book
Before you book your Isle of May boat trip, I want to share a few key points from our experience:
- The shortest crossing is from Anstruther, making it ideal if you prefer a calm journey.
- The largest boat, the May Princess, sails from Anstruther once a day, so plan ahead to secure a spot.
- RIB trips from Dunbar and North Berwick are faster, but not all allow landings.
- Puffins typically nest between April and August — time your visit accordingly.
- Tickets sell out quickly, so booking at least three months in advance is recommended.
- Daily departure times vary due to tides, but don’t worry if you have a later sailing (we left at 1 p.m. and still had plenty of time on the island).
- If driving from Edinburgh, allow extra time to reach Anstruther. For example, our boat departed at 1 p.m., but the following day it left at 10 a.m., so check schedules carefully.
Boat Trip Options
1. Anstruther Departure – May Princess Boat (Landing)
Adult £40 (Low Season) £55 (High Season).
Child (5 and over) £40. Round Trip 4-4.5 hrs.
The crossing from Anstruther to the Isle of May is just 5 miles, making it the shortest of all options. Not being great on the water, I prefer this route — it’s comfortable, scenic, and gives plenty of time on the island.
Anstruther Pleasure Cruises operates the May Princess daily from around March to October. The journey takes approximately 1 hour each way, though Scotland’s winds can occasionally extend the trip slightly
🔍 Book Your Isle of May Boat Trip
2. Anstruther Departure – Sea Safari RHiB – No Landing.
Adult £37, Child (5 and over) £29. Children < 5 not permitted.
Round Trip Duration: 1-1.5hrs.
For a faster and exhilarating ride, take the Sea Safari RIB from Anstruther. Their vessels, Osprey 1 and 2, hold up to 12 passengers and cross the Firth of Forth in 20–25 minutes.
You’ll circle the island without landing, offering a thrilling, high-speed experience and amazing wildlife views from the water.
If you want to stay nearby, we recommend The Waterfront Hotel in Anstruther — it’s just a 2-minute walk from the harbour.
3. Other Routes – FYI Only
Dunbar Departure – Bluewild RIB: 12 miles to the Isle of May. Two boats are available depending on bookings: a larger cabin boat (12 passengers) and a smaller RIB (10 passengers).
North Berwick Departure – Seabird Centre RIB: A 4-hour round trip, including island exploration. You may be accompanied by a guide or explore independently, depending on your landing time.
Always check with the Scottish Seabird Centre before booking (Tel: 01620 890202). These trips are on open RIBs, and waterproofs are provided
What To Wear When Visiting Isle of May By Boat
For your Isle of May boat trip, layers and a windproof/waterproof jacket are essential. Even on a sunny day, you’ll want protection from Scotland’s unpredictable weather.
Sunglasses are great, but be prepared for whatever the wind or rain may bring.
On our trip, we forgot our hats and had to pop into the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institute) shop next to the embarkation area — we were glad we did, as it turned out to be quite windy!
🎒Our Tip: Bring a camera and binoculars to capture the island’s wildlife and explore its fascinating geology from the boat and on land. Puffins, seals, and dramatic rocky coastlines make amazing photo opportunities.
The May Princess Boat Experience
The May Princess has two decks with a total capacity of 100 passengers, 35 of which are under cover. Only 16 passengers can sit upstairs, which is entirely exposed to the outdoors — perfect for unobstructed views!
The RIBs have a much smaller capacity, accommodating approximately 12 passengers. Everyone faces forward and must wear life jackets. Even in inland waters, it can be cold, and currents get strong when the winds blow.
That said, the downstairs area offers plenty of outdoor and covered indoor seating, so don’t worry — you’ll still get excellent views leaving the coast and approaching the island.
On our trip, we loved watching the seabirds as we approached, which made the crossing feel truly special.
Checking-In and Departure Process
Boarding at Anstruther is straightforward thanks to the small harbour.
Check in at the wooden hut next to the RNLI, where the May Princess is moored. From there, head to the boarding area, located just to your right across from the lifeboat station.
On our trip, we found arriving early gave us the best spots on deck and a chance to enjoy unobstructed views as we departed.
Captain and Crew
During your Isle of May boat trip, the captain or one of the crew members will share a fascinating narrative as you sail. They point out interesting rocks and nearby islands, explain the history of the island, and tell you why it is uninhabited today.
Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife both on the island and in the surrounding waters — we spotted seals and seabirds along the way. On our visit, the clear weather gave us distant views all the way to Edinburgh, which made the crossing even more memorable.
As you approach the landing area, the crew will explain the various buildings and ruins that you can explore once you step ashore.
Docking At Isle of May
The Isle of May has a purpose-built docking area nestled among rocky shorelines.
As you arrive, keep an eye out for seals basking on the rocks — they’re often playing in the water right nearby. On our visit, a few pups were lounging close to the dock, which made for a memorable welcome.
A conservation representative (or two, who live on the island to conduct monitoring and research) will meet you. They provide a safety briefing and explain which paths are open for exploration.
Strict rules are in place, with signs reminding visitors to stay on the paths to avoid disturbing nests and the island’s wildlife
Island Information Center & Bathrooms
Before you begin your hike, we recommend stopping at the wooden Information Center. This is where you’ll find bathroom facilities and learn about the island’s fascinating history and ongoing conservation projects.
On our visit, we spent a few minutes here reading about the seabird monitoring programs, which added context to everything we saw on the island.
There is no shop or restaurant on the Isle of May, but the boat’s snack area remains open if you need refreshments during your visit.
Suggested Walking Routes Isle of May
For over 1,000 years, the Isle of May was a place of worship and pilgrimage, with many buried in what was considered “sacred earth.” Ruins of monasteries from the 6th and 12th century add to the island’s intrigue.
Later, the island became a base for lighthouses serving local fishermen, though modern technology eventually replaced the need for lighthouse keepers. Today, the Isle of May is a carefully protected home to Mother Nature.
The island, known locally as the ‘Jewel of the Firth,’ offers several main attractions:
- Bird Watching: Nesting puffins, auks, guillemots, razorbills, eiders, and other coastal species, including fulmars and kittiwakes, some visiting from as far away as Greenland and Canada. On our visit, watching puffins dive and chatter was endlessly entertaining.
- Grey Seals: Present year-round, with favorite viewing spots at the Maidens and Rona areas during low tide. We spotted a few playful pups near the shore, which was unforgettable.
- Historical Remains: The island features a beacon warning system first operated in 1636, and the main lighthouse, built in 1816, was the UK’s first electrically driven lighthouse. The last lighthouse keeper left the island in 1989, and today it is powered by solar energy.
- Bird Observatory: Established in 1934, it remains the first in Scotland. Volunteers greet visitors and monitor thousands of migrant birds.
As we walked around the tiny island, measuring 1.5 km long and 0.5 km wide, the real highlight was observing the birds’ antics.
I loved the rows of puffins perched on granite rocks chatting with each other. We saw others sleeping, some preparing nests, or checking out the beach. For a tiny island, it’s was so absorbing watching the incredible nature around us.
🎒Our Tip: Seal pups are born from late September onwards, so plan your trip around this date if you want the chance to see them. So cute!
Tour Around the Cliffs
Once we all boarded to return to Anstruther, the captain drove the boat around the far side of the island, revealing incredible sheer cliffs.
These were literally decorated with birds, all cliff nesters, and it’s a fantastic sight with so many nestled together in a relatively small space.
FAQs
Yes — there is a toilet on the May Princess boat, and another on the island near the dock. Note that faster RIB boats do not have bathrooms, so plan accordingly
Yes — a selection of drinks and snacks are available on board, and this area remains open while you explore the island.
No. The Isle of May is a protected reserve for puffins, seals, and other breeding birds. Pets are not permitted, so leave Fifi at home!
The Isle of May lies 8 km (5 miles) from the charming fishing town of Anstruther, which is around 78 km (49 miles) north of Edinburgh.
No. The Isle of May has been one of Scotland’s National Nature Reserves since 1956. Overnight stays are not permitted.
Anstruther, Fife Neuk Overview
Although small, Anstruther is known throughout Scotland for its award-winning “Fish and Chips.” It also has a small beach area adjacent to the harbour, perfect for a late evening or early morning stroll.
This charming Fife coastal town feels authentic, even though visitors arrive daily for the Isle of May boat trips. Several cafes and restaurants line the Main Street facing the harbour, making it easy to enjoy a pre- or post-cruise meal.
Where to Stay In Anstruther, Fife
As we mentioned previously, you might book yourself into a bed and breakfast or hotel before or after your boat trip. Here’s our recommendations:
📍$ – Great value Murray Library Hostel is right across from the water and so really central. Guests love the spacious rooms and that it’s close to public transport (bus stop).
📍$$ – The Waterfront Hotel – right on the quayside, we love staying at this friendly 4 star hotel. Book a superior room for gorgeous views over the water. Breakfast is included and it was delicious with plenty of options and great coffee.
📍$$$ – For seaside luxury, rent Pee Wee 2 bedroom cottage and have a place all to yourself. The property has private parking, a fully equipped kitchen and window views out to the firth. And you can bring your doggie!
->> Click here for more Ansturther accommodation choices.
Great Places to Eat in Anstruther
Anstruther has dining options to suit every taste. While it’s tempting to linger by the harbour, a few side streets also have excellent restaurants.
Everywhere is casual, so jeans and a sweater are perfect for relaxed dining.
Here are our top recommendations, all of which we’ve personally tried and enjoyed:
- The Cellar at 24 – bistro style modern restaurant serving smaller sharing style menu. We found the menu fresh and food tasty with good vegetarian options.
- The Waterfront Restaurant – part of the hotel by the same name – is reliable for local seafood and of course breakfasts which are outstanding in our experience of staying here.
- Anstruther Fish and Chips have been voted as Best in Scotland in the past, and you will find them, and other similar take aways like the Wee Chippy along the Main Street.
The Rockies Restaurant – Located at the local golf club. We haven’t eaten here ourselves, but it receives high praise from both locals and visitors.
Other Things To Do in Anstruther, Fife
While the main draw is the Isle of May boat trip, don’t leave Anstruther without exploring a few local gems.
The Scottish Fisheries Museum
Tickets: Adults £11; Child up to 16 Free.
Concessions for students, seniors.
The museum shares the rich history of life in this coastal region, emphasizing fishing tales and the challenges faced by local fishermen over the years.
We spent around an hour exploring the exhibits and found it fascinating. I honestly don’t think I would have survived some of the wild seas featured in the displays back in the day!
It’s located across the road from the check-in hut for the boat trip, so take a look when you disembark as opening hours vary.
🎒Our Tip: Allow at least an hour to fully enjoy the museum, and combine it with a stroll along the harbour for the full experience.
Getting to Anstruther, Fife
The easiest way to reach Anstruther is by car from other parts of Scotland, but this time we took public transport to test it out.
The local bus from Edinburgh to Anstruther (continuing on to St Andrews) is easy if you don’t have a car. The buses are inexpensive, reliable, and once you arrive, the town is small enough to explore on foot.
Other Island Trips in Scotland
If you have time to explore further, Scotland has many other stunning island trips, and every time I visit a new one, it’s a completely fresh experience.
Islay – Known as the Whisky Isle of Scotland, it is a couple of hours’ ferry ride from the west coast town of Oban. Sample distilleries such as Lagavulin, Caol Ila, and Bowmore, or pop over to Jura for an even quieter experience
Closer to the mainland: Explore the Isles of Mull, Iona, and Staffa. Staffa is famous for its nesting puffins and unique basalt formations, making it a photographer’s paradise.
Many of these islands require advance ferry bookings, especially in summer, so plan your itinerary carefully if you want to combine them with your Isle of May trip.
