Pleasure cruiser prepares for season of seabird trips

The RSPB has announced dates of its new season of seabird cruises to the charity’s site at Bempton Cliffs near Bridlington.

Sailing aboard pleasure cruiser the Yorkshire Belle, weekend gannet and puffin cruises will begin leaving Bridlington Harbour on Saturday, May 5, and run until July 14.

The boat will sail around Flamborough Head and along the 400ft high chalk cliffs at Bempton, giving intimate access to the birds.

Cruise co-ordinator Kim Smales said: “These fantastic cruises, for the novice and expert alike, sail around Flamborough Head and up to the RSPB reserve at Bempton Cliffs to see the hundreds of thousands of seabirds that battle to raise their young on the 400ft high cliffs.

“These include the magnificent gannets – Bempton being the only mainland gannetry in the country, the colourful puffins, kittiwakes, razorbills, guillemots and fulmars.

“The boat gets as close as possible to the cliffs so passengers can almost touch the birds, and the sight, sound and smell of the birds at such close quarters is an experience they will never forget.”

RSPB volunteers will be on board to help identify birds and loan binoculars.

The three-hour cruises will leave from the North Pier and cost £18 per adult, £9 per child under 14, or £45 for a family of two adults and four children. Cruises to see birds migrating south for winter will run from September to October.

For more details or to book email [email protected].