Coquet Island Island
Small Northumberland island important for seabird colonies
Off the Northumberland coast, Coquet Island hosts a Victorian lighthouse and protected seabird colonies; boat trips from Amble bring birdwatchers to see terns and other coastal species.
Coquet Island at a Glance#
Address: Coquet Island, Northumberland, England, UK
About Coquet Island#
Coquet Island is a small tidal island off the northeast coast of England, off the village of Amble in Northumberland. It is well known as a seabird breeding site and for its lighthouse.
The island supports colonies of puffins, terns and other seabirds during the breeding season and is managed with restrictions to protect wildlife. A lighthouse is the island’s principal built structure and is visible from boat tours and the adjacent coastline.
The site is primarily of interest for wildlife viewing and coastal photography; there are no public landing facilities and visits are tightly controlled. Local boat operators run wildlife-watching trips that pass the island without landing.
Coquet Island lies a short distance offshore from Amble on the Northumberland coast and is part of the coastal landscape of low cliffs, sandbars and tidal waters.
- Access: Landing on the island is restricted to protect breeding seabirds; viewing is commonly done by boat from the Northumberland coast.
- Best time: The best time to see nesting seabirds is in the breeding season, typically late spring through midsummer.
What to See#
- Lighthouse: A 19th-century lighthouse that marks the island and its surrounding shoals; it is a prominent man-made feature visible from the mainland.
- Seabird colonies: Breeding areas for seabirds, including colonies of puffins and terns that occupy the island during the spring and summer season.
How to Get to Coquet Island#
Coquet Island is viewed by boat from the Northumberland coast, with wildlife cruises commonly departing from Amble. Landing is generally prohibited to protect nesting birds; observe the island via licensed boat operators.
Tips for Visiting Coquet Island#
- Landing on the islet is restricted due to bird conservation - observe from a boat or guided wildlife cruise.
- Bring binoculars and a telephoto lens: the island is famed for its seabird colonies and for the grey seal haul-outs offshore.
- Respect local wildlife regulations - do not attempt to land or disturb nesting birds.
Best Time to Visit Coquet Island#
Best in late spring and early summer for seabird colonies, but access is limited and often restricted to boat-viewing.
Weather & Climate near Coquet Island#
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 19°C. Moderate rainfall (629 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 0° - 6° | -2° | 57 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.6h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 41 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.4h |
| March | Poor | 2° - 9° | 1° | 50 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 4° | 42 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 14.0h |
| May | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 7° | 49 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.1 m/s | 1.1 high | 16.0h |
| June | Good | 8° - 17° | 12° | 50 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.8 m/s | 1.3 high | 17.1h |
| July | Good | 10° - 19° | 15° | 50 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.5 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.6h |
| August | Good | 10° - 19° | 15° | 62 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.7 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 14.8h |
| September | Good | 9° - 16° | 12° | 53 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.4 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.6h |
| October | Acceptable | 6° - 13° | 7° | 55 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.3h |
| November | Poor | 3° - 9° | 2° | 61 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.1h |
| December | Poor | 1° - 7° | -1° | 59 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.9h |
