The RSPB(Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) manages a stretch of basalt cliffs along the island’s north coast where Northern Ireland’s largest seabird colony breeds. For reasons of safety and access over private land, visitors are not encouraged to venture along the cliffs but they can get magnificent views of the seabirds from the West Light Viewpoint.

At the West Light Viewpoint you can watch the guillemots and kittiwakes which, along with razorbills, fulmars and puffins, nest here in their thousands. If you look out to sea you may catch sight of streams of gannets flying past or be lucky enough to see Manx shearwater and skuas.

When to Visit

The West Light Viewpoint is open during the breeding season from April to August by kind permission of the owners, the Commissioners of Irish Lights. The best time to visit is May and June. Access is only under supervision of RSPB staff, who are not always available. To avoid disappointment please contact the warden before your visit.

The Warden is Liam Mc Faul,
South Cleggan,
Rathlin Island,
Ballycastle,
BT54 6RT,
Tele: +44(0)28 20763948

How to Get There

A ferry service operates throughout the year from Ballycastle. The journey time is approximately 45 minutes, with four sailings daily during the summer. The Viewpoint is situated at the West Lighthouse, 6km/4m from the harbour. A privately run minibus service operates between the harbour and the West Light Viewpoint for a small charge.

Facilities

All visitor amenities on the island are situated near the harbour in Church Bay.

THERE ARE NO TOILETS AT THE VIEWPOINT

The RSPB in Northern Ireland

The RSPB has eight nature reserves in Northern Ireland: Belfast Lough, Carlingford Lough Islands and Castleward Bay in Co. Down; Portmore Lough, Rathlin Island and Swan Island in Co. Antrim; Lough Foyle in Co. Londonderry; and Lower Lough Erne Islands in Co. Fermanagh.

The RSPB champions the conservation of birds and other biodiversity, in the UK and worldwide, the interests of wildlife, the natural environment and people.

RSPB Northern Ireland Headquarters,
Belvoir Park Forest,
Belfast,
BT8 4QT

Tele: +44 (0)28 90491547