RSPB Westlight Seabird Centre on Rathlin Island

If and when you ever make the decision to visit the beautiful Rathlin Island off the coast of Ballycastle. I highly recommend that you visit the RSPB Westlight Seabird Centre. Not only does it dazzle you with the most breathtaking views, but it’s also home to one of Northern Ireland’s largest seabird colonies. Ten of thousands of Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Puffins, Razorbills and more flock to breed on the Islands cliff face. Right by the viewing platform down by the Rathlin West Lighthouse.

Speaking of the West Lighthouse, this is without a doubt another amazing reason to visit Rathlin Island. Because the West Lighthouse is upside down. And by that I mean, the light is at the base of the lighthouse, rather than the top which as you know, is how lighthouses typically look. But I will share more on Northern Ireland’s infamous Upside Down Lighthouse later on in the post.

Getting to the RSPB West Light Seabird Centre

Getting to the Seabird centre can be done by walking, which is roughly a 4.5miles hike. There is also an option to cycle, bikes are available to hire on Rathlin Island. However, if walking and cycling aren’t your jam, then there is also a Puffin bus available that do pick-ups from the ferry dock.

This costs £5 per person and is a return fair. So there is a good range of options available, all depending on what and how you’d like to get to the Seabird centre. When you take the Puffin Bus, you are also in with a chance to catch a glimpse of the rare Golden Rathlin Hare. We didn’t catch a sighting on our first visit and the bus driver told us you could walk the 4miles to the West Lighthouse and back and still not see the rare Rathlin Hare.

However, on this recent visit? We caught an amazing glimpse of not one rare Golden Rathlin Hare, but two! Playing together in a field no less and it was such a sight to see. It also made our visit to the island all the more special, I think too!

Prices & facilities at the Seabird Centre

Once you arrive at the centre and depending on how you arrived. There is a car park, with limited spaces. There is also a place to lock up your bike if cycling was your choice of transport.

When you enter the visitor centre there is a fee and this is £5 per adult and £2.50 per child. There is a range of facilities available at the centre whilst you’re there. There is a picnic area, just a few tables and there are light refreshments available at the visitors centre i.e. tea, coffee, soft drinks and water. As for snacks, there is a range of chocolate bars and crisps available from the vending machine.

There is also educational facilities and the staff at the centre are great with the kids. As you go through there are nature walks with the most spectacular views and of course, the walk down to the West Lighthouse and Seabird viewing platform.

There are toilets available at the visitors centre, this includes disabled toilets and baby changing facilities.

Current restrictions at the Seabird Centre

At the moment, due to COVID restrictions, the West lighthouse is not open to the public. However, the touch room through to the Seabird platform is currently open. Binoculars are available to use during your visit and the volunteers manning the Seabird platform will assist you with those on your arrival They are also amazing with their knowledge of the birds that visit the island to breed and are open for all sorts of questions. My lot really enjoyed asking all kinds of questions during our visit.

This visit was very different from our first one. We were able to see thousands of birds this time, whereas last time we caught the final two puffins leave the island as we visited in early August. Whereas this time we visited mid-June.

Masks are to be worn on both the Puffin bus and during your visit to the RSPB Seabird Centre. There is also no telescopes available for viewing at the RSPB Westlight Seabird centre either. Hopefully, they will be back soon though.

The whole experience and even visiting during these crazy times was still good fun. Every caution was adhered to by everyone and people could still enjoy the stunning views from the Seabird Centre platform.

I highly recommend a visit to the Seabird centre, especially if you are taking the time to visit Rathlin Island.

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also enjoy my post about visiting Rathlin Island and everything you need to know, which can be found on the blog.

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