The skies above the UK have been filled with the dancing Northern lights (Aurora Borealis) this year and this tiny Welsh island is one of the best places to see them.
Known primarily for its birdlife and ancient Celtic monastery, Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island in English) is a remote island that’s approximately 1.5 miles long and half a mile wide, with a wild and rugged terrain.
Thanks to its incredibly dark and clear skies, this tiny Welsh island is a fantastic place to see the Northern Lights, stars, and our home galaxy, the Milky Way.
Found two miles off the Llyn Peninsula in northwest Wales, Enlli can only be reached by boat. What’s more, its remote location and geographical features make it one of the darkest places in the UK, with almost zero light pollution. A nearly 548-foot-tall mountain helps limit light from the mainland.
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Known as the “Island of 20,000 saints” due to the purported number of saints buried there, Ynys Enlli’s history stretches back thousands of years and in the 6th century it became a focal point for the Celtic Christian Church when St Cadfan founded a monastery there.
Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Ynys Enlli is also a haven for wildlife and home to a significant colony of Manx shearwaters and other bird species like storm petrels. The island has no modern amenities such as wi-fi or regular electricity, and cold, fresh water is drawn directly from wells.
The Bardsey Island Trust, established in 1977, now manages the island, focusing on conservation and promoting its historical and natural significance. While Ynys Enlli has long been popular with day trippers and birders, the trust is focusing on its dark skies to become an astrotourism hotspot in the UK.
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Enlli suddenly garnered huge global interest when it received International Dark Sky Sanctuary certification from the International Dark Skies Association (IDA) in February 2023. It joined 17 other sites worldwide and became Europe’s first with such a designation.
International Dark Sky Sanctuaries (IDSS) are typically situated in remote locations with low light pollution and exceptional starry nights. With its new designation, the small Welsh island follows specific dark sky policies implemented to protect and maintain the darkness of the core zone so that overnight visitors can enjoy big starry skies and the elusive Northern Lights – when they appear.
These include careful light management plans, protection of nocturnal habitats, ensuring public enjoyment of the clear night sky, and promoting its unique astro-offerings. The IDA also required a lighting management plan and photographic evidence for this certification.
As visitor demand grows, the Bardsey Island Trust aims to continue protecting the dark skies above Ynys Enlli by raising awareness of this unique location in Wales and promoting the importance of the dark skies locally and nationally.
The increased aurora displays in the UK have massively driven interest in dark sky sites like Ynys Enlli, with visitors hoping to glimpse the elusive northern lights and star-filled skies.
While it’s long been a popular spot for day trippers, the island offers basic self-catering accommodation in various houses for overnight stays. These rustic and simply furnished accommodations, which include electric-free lofts and single cottages outfitted with LED lamps, are scattered across the island’s north side.
They’re only available from April to October, and demand is sky-high. In 2024/25, star seekers and aurora chasers should move fast to secure a spot. If you manage to secure overnight accommodation, you can wander the island as the sun sets and get your camera ready for a celestial spectacle.
As the darkness intensifies and the temperature drops on the island, the dark skies above Ynys Enlli become a luminous tapestry of stars, planets, and the ethereal glow of our home galaxy-the Milky Way-all visible to the naked eye.
If you’re really lucky, you might even be treated to a Northern Lights show. Ensure you have an Aurora app on your phone to receive alerts and be ready to see them as soon as they appear.
While sightings of the Northern Lights in the UK are relatively rare compared to higher-latitude regions, you can take some steps to better your chances of witnessing the shimmering Aurora Borealis.
- Choose Dark Sky locations: Opt for destinations like Ynys Enlli with minimal light pollution, such as national parks, coastal areas, and remote islands.
- Check the weather forecast: To maximise your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, plan your trip during periods of low cloud cover and minimal rain. Websites like the Met Office provide detailed weather forecasts for specific regions across the UK.
- Keep an eye on solar activity: Stay informed about solar activity, as geomagnetic storms triggered by solar flares and coronal mass ejections increase the likelihood of auroral displays. SpaceWeatherLive.com and the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Centre offer real-time data and forecasts on solar activity and geomagnetic conditions.
- Download Aurora tracking apps: Use Aurora tracking apps to receive alerts and updates on potential Northern Lights sightings. Apps like My Aurora Forecast and AuroraWatch UK provide notifications based on geomagnetic activity levels and aurora forecasts.