Calf of Man Bird Observatory and Nature Reserve
Calf of Man Bird Observatory and Nature Reserve
Calf of Man Bird Observatory and Nature Reserve
4.5
About
The island is a nature reserve and a bird observatory. You can visit for the day or stay overnight. It is an important breeding site for seabirds and tens of thousands of birds occur on migration. The Calf also has numerous sites of historical interest including two lighthouses built in 1818 by Robert Stevenson.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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4.5
29 reviews
Excellent
21
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8
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IOMtravelgirl
Douglas, UK591 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
We only went for the 3 hour stopover but it was a great day. I recommend the boat trip from Port St. Mary. It was a nice trip with seals and different sea birds as well as a peregrine falcon. Once on the Calf you can walk around and it could take around 2 hours. Of course it wasn't so isolated as we were about 20 walking around, although all spread out so you wouldn't have known it. Beautiful rugged scenery and views and plenty of curious seals popping up their heads. If you like basic living you can stay for a couple of nights. We are now thinking about it.
Written 10 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joannespence
London, UK19 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
This is such a great place to relax and have a cuppa!
Sea lions by their hundreds down on the cliffs below, lovely walks and not far from Cregnesh (another quaint spot to visit)
Could sit for hours watching the sea and birds. Nice atmosphere and a great place to grab some lunch. Walks along the cliff tops great fun too, highly recommend :0
Sea lions by their hundreds down on the cliffs below, lovely walks and not far from Cregnesh (another quaint spot to visit)
Could sit for hours watching the sea and birds. Nice atmosphere and a great place to grab some lunch. Walks along the cliff tops great fun too, highly recommend :0
Written 4 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy T
2 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
The people talking about car parks and cafes have not been to the Calf of Man, which has no facilities other than a bunkhouse which has to be pre-booked. Do the same people review the moon because they saw it in the sky?
Written 19 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hampo1964
Eastbourne, UK1,433 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
Bottom of the Isle of Man where the seas colloid which makes the sea very choppy. We saw lots of seals. You can hire a small boat and go over to the Calf of Man island on a good day. There's a good cafe but it's a bit expensive. The views are excellent and there's a mountain walk you can go on. Worth a visit.
Written 1 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
josphine w
Blackpool, UK125 contributions
Sept 2019
We went on a coach trip to this place. The views were great . We even saw three seals. There is a great cafe to have a brew.
Written 26 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IAN W
St Helens, UK4,410 contributions
Sept 2019
Great spot for fresh air in your lungs,trails to walk along,seals to be spotted,sheer unadulterated rugged countryside!
Cafe situated at the rear of a spacious free carpark,by the bus terminus,yes can even get here by public transport.
Great inexpensive day out.
Cafe situated at the rear of a spacious free carpark,by the bus terminus,yes can even get here by public transport.
Great inexpensive day out.
Written 20 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve Buckley
London, UK8,892 contributions
Sept 2019
My wife and myself are currently holidaying in the Isle of Man and earlier today we stopped off to see the Calf of Man en route from Port Erin to Castletown.
Blessed with a lovely sunny day (apparently a week ago the winds were so strong people were experiencing difficulty in even standing up!), this proved a great spot to not only see the Calf of Man (an island that is now a protected Bird Sanctuary) but to stretch our legs and see some interesting wildlife (including seals).
All in all, we had a most enjoyable 45 minute stay and would certainly recommend others to take the time to see the Calf of Man!
Blessed with a lovely sunny day (apparently a week ago the winds were so strong people were experiencing difficulty in even standing up!), this proved a great spot to not only see the Calf of Man (an island that is now a protected Bird Sanctuary) but to stretch our legs and see some interesting wildlife (including seals).
All in all, we had a most enjoyable 45 minute stay and would certainly recommend others to take the time to see the Calf of Man!
Written 7 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fbird167
Stratford-upon-Avon, UK25 contributions
July 2019
The Calf of Man is a lovely spot with plenty of convenient car parking. For once the sun was shining with no sign of rain. Nice views and walks. Seals swimming near the rocks. Very relaxing
Written 8 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Islandgirl
Dublin, Ireland72 contributions
Aug 2019
This is my favourite place for a day out to the calf ! The restaurant offers good home made food and lovely cakes and it’s situated in a great position to watch the tide changes and the seals come and go ! Thus is a must fir any visitor but actually the locks live to go there too !
Written 7 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ADRIAN C
Ellesmere Port, UK55 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
This was a wonderful trip (£20 a head return and worth every penny) to a virtually uninhabited and very beautiful place.
superb On the way there the boatman LLOYDS Clague took us in under the cliffs teaming with nesting seabirds. Plenty of shags, Manx Shearwaters, Puffins and more. On the way back a Peregrine Falcon.
The boat carries 12 and left at 15:00 allowing about three hours on the calf before returning to collect those who had been dropped off.
The scenery on the Island was stunning and the walking good.
Walked to see the two Regency light houses which still stand.
The bays were full of seals.
Note there are no facilities whatsoever so food and drink need to be taken with you and rubbish taken home. It can get cold on the journey even on a clear Spring day so best to have backup warm clothes.
superb On the way there the boatman LLOYDS Clague took us in under the cliffs teaming with nesting seabirds. Plenty of shags, Manx Shearwaters, Puffins and more. On the way back a Peregrine Falcon.
The boat carries 12 and left at 15:00 allowing about three hours on the calf before returning to collect those who had been dropped off.
The scenery on the Island was stunning and the walking good.
Walked to see the two Regency light houses which still stand.
The bays were full of seals.
Note there are no facilities whatsoever so food and drink need to be taken with you and rubbish taken home. It can get cold on the journey even on a clear Spring day so best to have backup warm clothes.
Written 13 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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