Visiting Bardsey Island: everything you need to know

Bardsey Island lies about three kilometers off the coast of the Llŷn Peninsula. The island is well over a kilometer and a half long. Although more than a hundred people lived there at the beginning of the last century, the island currently has only two permanent residents.

Daily life revolves primarily around nature conservation, agriculture, and welcoming visitors. Thanks to its remote location, Bardsey has managed to retain its peaceful character. Moreover, it was the first island in Europe to be declared a Dark Sky Sanctuary. Due to the absence of light pollution, the starry sky here is among the most beautiful in the United Kingdom.

For centuries, the island has played an important role in the history of Wales. In the early Middle Ages, a monastery was founded here and Bardsey grew into an important pilgrimage site.

According to an old legend, no fewer than 20.000 saints are buried on the island. Because of this, Bardsey earned the nickname The Island of 20,000 Saints. It is even said that three pilgrimages to Bardsey had the same spiritual value as one trip to Rome.

The island remained special later on as well. Throughout the centuries, Bardsey even had various 'kings', and many of the buildings you see today, such as the characteristic stone houses and the chapel, date from the nineteenth century. The lighthouse on the south side of the island was built as early as 1821 and remains one of Bardsey's most famous landmarks.

Most visitors come to Bardsey Island to hike. Various trails take you along the coast, over rolling hills, and towards the lighthouse on the south side of the island. Along the way, you have almost constant views of the sea and encounter sheep grazing peacefully everywhere.

Those who want to learn more about the history of the island can visit the historic abbey ruins, the small chapel, and the visitor centre. Here you will learn more about life on Bardsey Island and its unique nature.

The lighthouse has served as a landmark for shipping around Bardsey Island for over two hundred years. From this point, you look out over the rugged coastline and the strong currents for which Bardsey is known. Bardsey Island also holds a special status as Europe's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Thanks to its remote location and the virtual absence of light pollution, the island is one of the darkest places in Europe. On clear evenings, you can enjoy an impressive starry sky here and sometimes even see the Milky Way with the naked eye.

Although Bardsey Island is not large, several hiking trails have been marked out. Depending on how much time you have and how active you want to be, you can choose from four routes. With about four hours on the island, I had enough time to combine several hiking trails. I only skipped the Mountain Route due to limited time and the heat.

The Circular Route is the best walk on Bardsey Island. During this route, you walk a full circle around the island and pass by the main sights, including the farm, the chapel, the abbey ruins, the lighthouse, and the west coast. Along the way, you have constant views of the sea and get a good impression of the landscape.

• Distance: full circular walk
• Duration: approximately 3 hours
• Difficulty: medium

Those seeking a bit more of a challenge can opt for the Mountain Route. This walk takes you along the Lord Newborough path to the highest parts of the island. From here, you have a beautiful view of Bardsey Island, the coast of North Wales, and the surrounding sea.

This route is much tougher than the other hikes. I skipped this hike due to the extreme heat during my visit to the island.

• Duration: approximately 3 hours
• Difficulty: tough

Do you mainly want to visit the lighthouse, or do you not feel like walking for hours? Then the Lighthouse Route is a good choice. You walk along the south side of the island to the lighthouse and the impressive cliffs. On the way back, you also have a good chance of seeing grey seals lying on the rocks.

• Duration: approximately 1,5 hours
• Difficulty: easy

Are you mainly here for the nature, or are you waiting for the boat back? Then you can also take a short walk along the main path. Within about fifteen minutes, you will reach Porth Solfach beach and get a good impression of Bardsey Island.

• Duration: approximately 15 minutes
• Difficulty: easy

One of the main reasons to visit Bardsey Island is its unique nature. It is not without reason that the island has been designated as National Nature Reserve en Site of Special Scientific Interest. Due to its isolated location, Bardsey forms an important habitat for birds, marine mammals, and rare plants. Furthermore, the island lies on an important migration route for birds traveling between Europe and Africa.

For many people, it is a dream to have puffins (puffins) to see. I myself had never seen these colorful birds before my trip to Wales either, so I was really looking forward to my trip to Wales. There is a good chance you will spot them during the boat trip to Bardsey Island.

In recent years, the population on the island has grown again. Many puffins live especially on the east side of Bardsey Island. With their bright orange beaks and colorful appearance, they are beautiful birds to behold.

Do keep in mind that you can only see the puffins from the water. It is not possible to walk to the east side of the island, so the boat trip offers the best chance to admire them up close.

Bardsey Island is a paradise for bird lovers. There are more than 330 bird species observed. In addition to puffins, you may encounter oystercatchers, cormorants, peregrine falcons, herons, gannets, and razorbills, among others.

In the visitor centre, you will also find an information board listing the bird species found on Bardsey Island, and volunteers keep track of which birds have been spotted on a chalkboard. It is nice to take a quick look before you head out onto the island yourself.

The island is perhaps best known for the Northern Fulmar (Manx Shearwater). An estimated 27.000 pairs breed on Bardsey, making it one of the most important breeding sites in Great Britain. Since 1953, it has been doing Bardsey Bird & Field Observatory research into the birds on the island.

The waters around Bardsey Island are rich in wildlife. During your walk, don't just keep an eye on the sky, but also look towards the sea regularly. With a bit of luck, you might spot a gray seal curiously sticking its head above the water. Just before the tide comes in, several seals gather on the rocks near the mooring, allowing you to view them from surprisingly close up.

With a bit of luck, you might also spot them during the crossing or from the coast. Risso's dolphins, porpoises or other marine mammals.

Few native mammals live on the island itself. The wood mouse and the common shrew are the only two original land mammals found on Bardsey. Rabbits used to be present in large numbers, but disappeared in 1996 due to disease.

You will, however, see sheep on the island. They roam freely over large parts of the island and have shaped the landscape of Bardsey Island for centuries.

The flora of Bardsey Island is also special. In spring, parts of the island turn blue due to the flowering spring squill, followed later by sea carnation, thyme, and heather. Additionally, more than 350 species of lichens have been recorded, a sign of the clean air and pristine nature on the island.

Bardsey Island is only accessible by boat. From April through October, boats depart from Bardsey Island, depending on weather conditions. Porth Meudwy, on the west side of the Llŷn Peninsula.

The crossing is provided by Mordaith Llŷn and takes about twenty minutes. Because the sea around Bardsey Island can sometimes be rough, the boat only sails when the weather permits. A departure may be cancelled in case of strong winds or high waves.

It is wise to book your crossing online in advance, especially during the busy summer months.

From 2026, in addition to the boat trip, you will also pay a landing fee to the Bardsey Island Trust. This fee is paid upon arrival on the island and is used for the management and maintenance of Bardsey Island. Payment can be made in cash or by debit card.

Although most visitors take a day trip, it is also possible to stay overnight on Bardsey Island. There are ten simple holiday homes for rent on the island, managed by the Bardsey Island Trust.

The accommodations are completely off-grid and accommodate two to eight people. Camping is not permitted, making one of the cottages the only way to experience the unique tranquility and the impressive starry sky of Bardsey Island even after sunset.

Due to the limited number of accommodations, it is advisable to book well in advance.

If you are looking for peace and beautiful nature in Wales, Bardsey Island is highly recommended. But North Wales has much more to offer. During my five-day trip, I went in search of Wales' hidden gems where you encounter few other tourists. Among other things, I visited local entrepreneurs, went on a bike ride and a train ride, visited various castles, and stayed overnight at unique places.

Are you planning to travel to North Wales? Read the article below to find out what you can visit besides Bardsey Island.

Disclaimer: My trip to Wales was made possible in collaboration with Visit Wales. Everything you read in this article is my personal opinion/experience.