Seabirds
On the cliffs.
Travelling Britain — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY 4.0 · Colin Park — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Zairon — CC BY 4.0
The Calf of Man is a small island of about 2.5 square kilometres off the south-west tip of the Isle of Man, about 5 km in a straight line south-west of the village of Port Erin. A narrow strait called the Calf Sound separates it from the main island. «Calf» comes from an Old Norse word for a small island lying near a larger one. It was privately owned until 1939, when it was bought and given away to become a bird sanctuary; today only two seasonal residents live there, running its bird observatory, and its highest point is about 126 m. Visitors arrive by boat from Port Erin or Port St Mary and walk its paths among heather and cliffs, where seabirds nest and seals may be seen in the sound. From the Calf Sound viewpoint on the main island, the islet and its rocks can be seen clearly without crossing. It can only be reached by seasonal paid boats that depend on the sea. There are no facilities on the island, so bring food and water, and stay on the paths to protect the birds.
On the cliffs.
In the sound.
From the main island.
Off the south-west tip of the Isle of Man
By seasonal boat from Port Erin or Port St Mary.
No, bring food and water.