Guided Walks
Guided walks are an excellent way of exploring the island, with commentary from one of the knowledgeable Lundy Ambassadors. During the walk, you will be provided with in-depth information about the island’s past, including stories about historical features such as the Old Light, St. Helen’s Church and the Castle, as well as information about the island’s wildlife and conservation.
The length and route will depend on the time of year and whether it is a Bideford or Ilfracombe sailing day. Guided walks take place on most boat days, typically starting from the Beach Building (on Ilfracombe boat days) and from outside the Marisco Tavern in the Village (on Bideford boat days). No booking is necessary and it’s free. Suitable footwear and clothing for the weather conditions is strongly recommended.
Rockpool Rambles
Rockpool Rambles allow you to discover the hidden life within Lundy’s rockpools, which are home to a fascinating array of interesting and unusual marine life. Rockpool rambles are an excellent way to experience some of Lundy's marine life without having to get in the water. Your guide will indicate the best places for interesting finds and help to identify unknown species. This event lasts around 1 hour and starts at the Boat Building by the jetty. This activity is heavily dependent on weather and tide and will be advertised on the Tavern noticeboard. No booking is necessary and it’s free. Suitable clothing for the weather conditions and sturdy footwear that you don’t mind getting wet are strongly recommended.
Snorkel Safaris
Going on a Snorkel Safari is the perfect introduction to Lundy’s marine life. Under the supervision of a qualified snorkel guide, you get the chance to explore the shallows of the Landing Bay, home to species such as plumose anemones, ballan wrasse, lightbulb sea squirts and many more. Each session lasts approximately 1.5 hours - including kitting-up (the hire of all equipment including wetsuits is included in the charge), a pre-snorkel brief and time in the water.
These events are designed for those staying on the island and, as places are limited, you need to book in advanced via email or in Reception once you are on the island. Timetables and prices for the season are displayed in Reception and on-line on the Lundy website. The charge covers hire of all equipment and of wetsuits. Due to the popularity of this event, it is advisable that you book well in advanced. All equipment is provided, all you need is a swimming costume and a towel. You must be a competent swimmer to participate. This activity is for children who can swim as well as for adults.
Round-the-Island boat trips
These boat trips are not held on a regular basis but could well take place during periods of calm, summer weather when sea conditions are predicted to be tranquil. They are only available for those staying on the island and will happen on days when the MS Oldenburg is not due to come over to the island.
A boat licensed to take up to 12 passengers will be chartered to come over to the island (probably from Ilfracombe) to undertake a number of circumnavigations of the island before returning to its home port. A single circumnavigation takes about one hour, starting and ending at the jetty. During the voyage you will get the opportunity to appreciate how impressive the cliffs are on the west side of the island; observe grey seals hauled out on the rocks as well as in the water; sea birds both on cliff ledges and on the sea; and the chance of encountering jellyfishes, a sunfish or even a basking shark! A guide (usually one of the Conservation Team or a Lundy Ambassador) may well be on board to provide more information about what you might see.
These trips are decided upon at fairly short notice and will be advertised on a board outside the Tavern. The cost is likely to be between £20-£30/person. They are always popular so, once advertised, you’ll need to sign up quickly!
Marine Archaeological Activities (Divers only)
Protected Wreck Days (PWDs) are designed for divers interested in marine archaeology. They provide an opportunity to dive on one or both of the MPA’s two Protected Wrecks, the Iona II and the Gull Rock site, having been told about the history of each and about what survey work has been carried out at each site by an expert.
PWDs are run by the Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS). They were first held during the Marine Festival in 2022 and proved popular.
More information about Protected Wreck Days, which the NAS run on a number of Protected Wrecks around the English coastline, can be found here.
Apart from Protected Wreck Days, the NAS are holding a fieldwork survey for volunteers at Lundy over four days during the summer of 2026. Four days of archaeological fieldwork is being planned investigating the wreck of the SS Salado. The Salado was a cargo ship that ran into the NE of Lundy in fog in 1897. The wreckage lies at 5-18 m and is very broken and scattered but initial surveys show that it has a lot of potential for further investigation, research and creating some innovative displays about its history and demise.
More information about this opportunity to gain fieldwork experience with the NAS, is available here.
