Handa Island is now closed for the season until March 2024 – we recommend checking with the ferry operator (details below) to ensure the ferry is running before commencing your trip. We look forward to welcoming you.
Each spring, tens of thousands of seabirds migrate to the magnificent Torridonian sandstone cliffs that rise from the Atlantic on the north west coast of Handa Island. This wild island is an internationally important breeding site for guillemots, razorbills and great skuas that spend the summer breeding and feeding in the rich waters around Handa.
The dramatic cliffs provide stunning ocean panoramas and a chance to spot some of our larger marine species: minke whales, bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins, grey seals and even the occasional orca or basking shark can be seen.
Donate to support our work on Handa Island
Why visit?
Highlights include:
- Internationally important seabird populations
- One of the UK’s largest guillemot colonies
- Chance to spot marine mammals
- Spectacular views
- Fascinating history
Best time to visit?
- Apr to Jul for breeding seabirds
- Mid-May to July for puffins
Visit for:
- birdwatching
- wildflowers
- coasts
- geology
- scenery
- mammals
- archaeology
- uplands
Other information
Please note that due to very large numbers of ground nesting birds, dogs are not permitted on the island.
Volunteering
There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer on Handa, from just a week at a time to a series of Assistant Ranger placements lasting from 8-21 weeks.
For more information, visit the volunteering on Handa page.