Puffin Tour from Edinburgh: Boat Trip & Tantallon Castle Day Tour
Search for puffins by boat, explore clifftop Tantallon Castle and spend time in North Berwick, with boat and castle tickets included
- Max 16 travellers
- Tickets included
- Ages 7+
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- Puffins by boatAn approximately two-hour wildlife cruise to the offshore islands, with the chance of puffins, gannets and seals.
- Tickets includedThe boat trip and Tantallon Castle entry are both in the price, so there’s nothing extra to book.
- Three sides of the coastWildlife, a medieval clifftop castle and a seaside town, all in one day from Edinburgh.
“The views were unreal, the puffins were adorable, and our guide was so fun and genuinely passionate…”
A puffin tour from Edinburgh: Tantallon Castle, North Berwick and a wildlife boat trip
Keep your eyes on the water: those little wings might belong to a puffin. On this Puffin Boat Trip and Castle day tour from Edinburgh, head to Scotland’s east coast for an approximately two-hour wildlife cruise, with the chance to spot puffins, gannets, seals and other seabirds around the offshore islands.
Back on land, explore Tantallon Castle’s medieval ruins above the North Sea and enjoy time for lunch, the harbour and a wander in North Berwick. The day’s order follows the tides and boat schedule. This seasonal tour welcomes travellers aged seven and over, and wildlife sightings depend on nature and conditions on the day.
- Duration1 daywildlife, castle & coast
- DepartsEdinburghtime varies with the tides
- Group sizeMax 16small scheduled group
- Ages7+seasonal wildlife tour
- Season1 May – 31 Julyselected departures
- TicketsBoat & castleboth included in the price
The guide is the part people remember
The puffins may be why you book, but it’s often the guide and the group you remember most. Your guide adds the coastal history and local stories, and plans the day around the tides.
- They plan around the tides. The boat schedule sets the order of the day, and your guide fits the castle and North Berwick around it.
- They know the coast. The Douglas family at Tantallon, Bass Rock’s gannets and good places for lunch in North Berwick.
- Everyone’s included. Families, solo travellers and couples all feel part of the group from the first stop.
“It was our first time in Scotland and both of our guides (Magnus and Georgie) were so knowledgeable, fun, and efficient!”
Your puffin tour itinerary
Route map: Edinburgh, Tantallon Castle, North Berwick, the wildlife boat trip to the offshore islands of the Firth of Forth, and back to Edinburgh.
Route shown is approximate. Your guide may change the order of stops or the roads taken on the day, depending on weather, traffic and road conditions.
1Tantallon Castle
Medieval fortress · North Sea cliffs · Bass Rock views
An imposing medieval stronghold on the cliffs above the North Sea.
- Tantallon Castle
Walk through the ruins, hear the stories of the powerful Douglas family and look out towards Bass Rock and the offshore islands.
2North Berwick
Harbour · Beach · Local cafés
Time in the seaside town for lunch and a wander.
- North Berwick
Choose a local café or restaurant, browse the town or stretch your legs beside the harbour and sandy shoreline.
Guide tip Bring a packed lunch if you have strict gluten-free or complex dietary needs.
3Puffin & wildlife boat trip
Puffins · Seals · Gannets · Offshore islands
Out onto the water towards the offshore islands of the Firth of Forth.
- The wildlife cruise
The chance to see puffins, seals, gannets and other seabirds while learning about the Firth of Forth’s marine ecosystem.
The crossing is exposed to real North Sea conditions: bring warm waterproof layers, and consider carefully whether it suits anyone prone to sea sickness
Puffins and other wildlife are wild animals, so sightings can never be guaranteed
The three parts of the day can run in a different order: the wildlife boat schedule follows the tides, and weather, sea conditions or attraction access can require changes.
Is this tour right for you?
A great fit if
- You want a good chance of seeing puffins from Edinburgh, with the boat ticket arranged for you.
- You’re travelling with children aged 7 or over.
- You’d like a castle and a seaside town as well as wildlife.
- You’re happy on a boat for about two hours in North Sea conditions.
Think again if
- You’re pregnant or have back problems. The boat trip isn’t suitable.
- You’re travelling outside May to July. Try the St Andrews & Fife coast day trip instead.
- You’re travelling with children under 7. A private tour can be planned around you.
What travellers say about this puffin tour
Google reviews from guests on our puffin boat trip & castle day tour.
I did the castle and puffin tour with Mark and it was an amazing tour! I love the small group element versus a big tour bus and got to learn a lot of interesting history and beautiful sites!
This puffin tour was everything. The views were unreal, the puffins were adorable, and our guide was so fun and genuinely passionate—it really made the whole experience feel special and personal. … Honestly, it was one of those days I’ll remember forever. Peaceful, wild, beautiful, and just the right amount of adventure.
My husband and I booked two tours out of Edinburgh(Puffins Tour and St. Andrews) and we can’t express how amazing they were! It was our first time in Scotland and both of our guides (Magnus and Georgie) were so knowledgeable, fun, and efficient! … Definitely highlights of our trip and can’t recommend them enough
What's included, and what the day costs
Included
- Wildlife and puffin boat-tour ticket (approx. two hours)
- Entry to Tantallon Castle
- Expert Scotland's Wild guide and storyteller for the day
- Transport in a comfortable, air-conditioned touring vehicle
- Coastal scenery, local history, myths and legends
- Small group, maximum 16 travellers
Not included
- Lunch and snacks (cafés in North Berwick)
- Waterproof clothing for the boat trip
Your day at a glance
- Tour
- From £142 per adult, with boat and castle tickets included (children 7–17 pay £10 less)
- Pay today
- From £71 per person (50% deposit). The balance is taken 8 days before departure.
- Lunch
- Not included. Cafés and restaurants in North Berwick; bring a packed lunch for strict dietary needs.
- Season
- Selected departures 1 May – 31 July. Departure and return times follow the tides, so check the time shown for your date.
Which Edinburgh day tour?
Three Edinburgh day tours, each with a storytelling guide.
1 day · May–July
Puffins, castle and coast
A wildlife boat trip, Tantallon Castle and North Berwick, with tickets included. Ages 7+.
From £142 pp
1 day · all year
The Fife coast
The Three Bridges, Lady’s Tower, free time in St Andrews and Dunfermline Abbey.
From £88 pp
See the St Andrews day trip →1 day · ages 7+
Castles and film locations
Hogwarts at Alnwick Castle and the Da Vinci Code’s Rosslyn Chapel.
From £96 pp
See the Alnwick day tour →Good to know before you book
- Your time depends on the tides. Check the departure time shown for your date, arrive 15 minutes early, and keep the evening flexible.
- Bring your own waterproofs. They aren’t supplied for the boat, and it feels cooler and wetter on the water than on land.
- The boat isn’t for everyone. It isn’t suitable if you’re pregnant or have back problems or injuries.
- Wildlife can’t be guaranteed. Puffins nest on the islands from May to July, but they’re wild animals.
Where to meet your guide in Edinburgh
Outside The Jolly Botanist
256–260 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8DT
Your exact departure time depends on your chosen date because the boat schedule follows the tides. Check the time shown when booking and on your confirmation, and arrive 15 minutes before it. Scheduled tours leave on time. Avoid tightly timed onward travel after the tour.
- Check-in15 min earlybefore your departure time
- DepartsVaries by datethe boat follows the tides
- BackVaries by dateallow a flexible evening
Puffin tour from Edinburgh: your questions
Where will we see puffins on this tour from Edinburgh?
On the wildlife boat trip, which lasts approximately two hours and heads towards the offshore islands of the Firth of Forth, where puffins nest from May to July. You may also see seals, gannets and other seabirds. Puffins are wild animals, so sightings can never be guaranteed.
When does the puffin tour run?
On selected dates from 1 May to 31 July 2027, the main period when puffins are nesting around the Firth of Forth islands. Availability is live in the booking calendar.
What does the tour cost?
From £142 per adult, with the boat trip and Tantallon Castle entry included (50% deposit, balance 8 days before departure). Prices vary by date.
Is there a child price?
Yes. Children aged 7 to 17 pay £10 less than the adult price, and must travel with an adult. Choose Child (7–17) when you select your travellers.
Is the wildlife boat trip included?
Yes. Your wildlife boat-tour ticket is included in the tour price, as is admission to Tantallon Castle.
How long is the cruise, and who should not take it?
The boat section lasts approximately two hours. It isn’t suitable for people who are pregnant or who have back problems or injuries, and please consider carefully whether a two-hour sea journey is right for anyone in your party who is prone to sea sickness. Conditions on the water feel considerably cooler and wetter than on land.
What time does the tour depart and return?
There’s no single fixed time: departure and return times change by date because the boat schedule follows the tides. Use the exact time shown for your selected departure, arrive 15 minutes early, and avoid tightly timed onward travel after the tour.
Where does the tour start?
Outside The Jolly Botanist, 256–260 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8DT. The tour returns to the same place.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 7. Children aged 7 and over are welcome provided the boat journey and the rest of the day are suitable for them.
How many people are on the tour?
A maximum of 16 travellers on every scheduled departure.
Will the tour run if only a few people book?
Each departure needs at least 4 travellers to run. If we have to cancel your tour for any reason, we’ll offer you another tour or a full refund.
How do I secure my place, and what is the cancellation policy?
A 50% deposit is taken when you book; the balance is collected automatically 8 days before departure. Cancellations 8 or more days before departure: full refund. 3 to 7 days before: 50% refund. Less than 3 days before, or a no-show: no refund. Full terms & conditions.
Where do we stop for lunch?
In North Berwick, where you can buy lunch from local cafés or restaurants. If you have strict gluten-free or complex dietary needs, a packed lunch is recommended.
What should I bring?
Warm layers, sturdy comfortable footwear and your own waterproof outer clothing (waterproofs aren’t supplied for the boat). Sun protection and a small reusable water bottle are worth bringing. Small bags and rucksacks are fine; contact us before booking if you need to bring larger luggage.
Can the day run in a different order?
Yes. Tantallon Castle, North Berwick and the boat trip may be visited in a different order depending on tides, boat schedules, weather, sea conditions and other operational circumstances.
What happens if the boat can’t sail?
Sea conditions and safety come first. If weather or sea conditions affect the boat trip, your guide may change the order, timings or stops.
Ready for Scotland’s wild east coast?
Check live dates and prices, secure your place from £71 per person, and we’ll see you on Morrison Street.
Questions first? Call +44 131 241 8292 (7am to 9pm UK time, every day) or email info@scotlandswild.com.
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