Discover Ynys Enlli – The Mystical Island of Bardsey
Published on 28 Apr 2025 by Amy GreenwoodYnys Enlli, the mystical island also known as Bardsey, sits just two miles off the tip of North Wales’ stunning Llyn Peninsula. Once a thriving fishing and farming community, the island is now a peaceful haven, home to just a handful of permanent residents, and seasonal visitors, all drawn by its wild beauty, rich wildlife, and timeless tranquillity.
History, Myth and Legend…
Welsh for ‘the island of the tides’, Enlli has a long history steeped in myth and legend, there’s evidence of settlement as far back as the Iron Age, and for centuries it was home to a long-established monastic community.
It’s believed that a monastery was founded on the island in the 6th century, and the ruins of the later 13th-century Abbey of St Mary can still be seen today. Pilgrims visited in their thousands, with three journeys to Bardsey said to equal one to Rome. For many, it was their final destination, a peaceful place to live out their last days, earning Bardsey its famous nickname ‘the island of 20,000 saints’.
And it may not be just pilgrims who rest beneath its sacred soil. Some say the island is the real-life Avalon, the legendary resting place of King Arthur – a theory inspired by the Welsh word ‘afal’ (apple), and the island’s long-lost apple orchards, believed to be remnants of the ancient abbey gardens.
After the dissolution of the monasteries, Bardsey was left to pirates and smugglers, until the re-establishment of a farming and fishing community in the mid-18th century. In 1821, a lighthouse was built on the island’s southern tip, and the keepers and their families became part of the small island community. But by the mid-20th century, most islanders had moved to the mainland.
Today, this enchanting island is cared for by the Bardsey Island Trust, which protects and promotes it as a place of scientific, historical, and spiritual importance. Wonderfully peaceful and beautifully unspoilt, it remains a truly special place. In 2023, it was recognised as one of the world’s best spots for stargazing, earning International Dark Sky Sanctuary status, thanks to its remote location and crystal-clear night skies.
A Haven for Wildlife
The island may only have a handful of human residents, but it’s a haven for wildlife, from puffins and choughs to seals, and rare wildflowers, there’s a wealth of wildlife to discover.
A colony of around 200 grey seals inhabit the island’s rocky bays, with Risso’s dolphins and harbour porpoises often spotted nearby. The island also plays host to 20,000 breeding pairs of Manx shearwater, and it’s a key stop for migratory birds as they criss-cross the globe.
At the heart of the island’s conservation efforts is the Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory, which monitors the wide variety of birdlife including choughs, oystercatchers, and the most characterful of all seabirds, puffins. It’s also common to see peregrine falcons, wheatears, warblers, herons and little owls, as well as sea birds such as gannets, razorbills and shags.
Life on the Island
Today, only a handful of people live on Enlli year-round: farmers Gareth Roberts and Steve and Jo Porter, the team at the Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory, and the island wardens who welcome and look after seasonal visitors.
Though the community may be small, the spirit of the island is very much alive and continues to draw visitors from far and wide. And while it might feel incredibly remote, Bardsey is surprisingly easy to reach – these days you don’t need to be a pilgrim or a pirate to get there, but you do need a sense of adventure, a decent pair of shoes, and maybe a waterproof (this is Wales, after all).
Whether you’re interested in the wildlife, the history, or just the views, here’s how to make your own Bardsey pilgrimage…
Plan Your Bardsey Adventure
Bardsey Boat Trips, run by experienced local boatman Colin Evans, will whisk you across the water from Porth Meudwy to the natural harbour of Y Cafn. If you’re lucky, you’ll be greeted by a family of seals playfully bobbing in the water.
Colin, whose parents lived on the island for many years, has a wealth of local knowledge and shares fascinating stories about the island’s history, wildlife, and community.
You’ll get around four hours to explore the island – plenty of time to wander the footpaths, visit the tiny church and abbey ruins, stroll the shoreline, or hike out to the Trinity House lighthouse. You can also pop into the Bird Observatory, take a look inside the old schoolroom, or enjoy a pit stop at Tŷ Pellaf farm, which serves drinks, ice cream, snacks and homemade cakes.
Boat trips run daily from March to October (weather dependent). To book, give Colin a call or drop a text to 07971 769 895.
Why Visit Bardsey?
For centuries Ynys Enlli was a place of pilgrimage, and it continues to attract visitors from far and wide. Whether you’re drawn by its spiritual history, enchanted by its myths, or simply looking for a peaceful escape into nature, this magical island offers something truly special. Whatever your reasons for visiting, a day trip to Bardsey is an experience not to be missed.
