Visiting

Opening periods

The Observatory is normally open to visitors for overnight visits from Friday to Sunday from April to October provided a qualified Duty Officer is available. During the Spring and Autumn migration periods places are limited due to demand and to enable our volunteers to carry out ornithological and habitat management work.

Booking details

If you are booked out to the Observatory your boat will be booked for you. The boat normally leaves Donaghadee Harbour from 18:00 hours on Fridays and returns to Donaghadee at 16:00 hours on Sundays.

It is not uncommon for trips to be cancelled due to weather and changes in the availability of Duty Officers and the boat operator.

Please note that space is limited due to accommodation and boat capacity.

What to expect

Visitors to the Observatory will be guided on our activities by a Duty Officer. Generally visitors can participate in ornithological activities but this is subject to experience and the prerogative of the Duty Officer.

There are four bedrooms (two dormitory-style and two family rooms) a self-catering kitchen, a lounge and a flush toilet. 

All dormitories have beds, pillows and blankets. Visitors should bring their own sleeping bag, sheets and pillowcases. The self-catering kitchen is stocked with three gas cookers (including gas operated ovens and grills), cutlery, plates, pots, pans, kettles, one electric kettle, one toaster, dry cupboard space, cleaning supplies, kitchen roll and a sink for handwashing only. There is no hot running water and there is no microwave. A fridge is in the corridor for storage of cold food and drink.

The buildings are lit at night with low voltage energy-efficient electric lighting powered from solar PV panels on the roof, but lights should be kept off in rooms not in use as the supply is somewhat limited. Mobile phones work well on the island and there are standard 240v power sockets in the kitchen and lounge to charge phones and other small electronic devices.

All visitors must bring the following to the Observatory:

• A torch and/or a headtorch
• Food and drinking water (please bring additional supplies as your departure from CBO could be delayed due to weather)
• A mobile phone with its accompanying charger
• A sleeping bag (3 or 4 seasons recommended)
• Pillowcase(s)
• You need suitable clothing from Arctic to Tropical, wet to dry – at least one change of everything
• Sturdy footwear such as hiking boots

For the safety and comfort of all visitors, and to protect our natural environment, please note the following are not allowed on the Observatory:

• Smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes
• Charging of electronic cigarettes
• Portable heaters, including electric blankets
• Candles are strictly prohibited
• Dogs or any other pets

The Observatory carries out biosecurity checks to ensure no rodents or other invasive predators are present on the Island. If you are visiting, please check your belongings before departing ensuring that no animal and/or plant is being brought to the Island as this could have serious consequences for the Island’s natural environment.