Boat Trip to the Sept-Îles Reserve

What it is

The Sept-Îles (Seven Islands) are an archipelago off Perros-Guirec, a few kilometres from the coast, and form a seabird nature reserve. It is managed by the LPO, the French bird protection league, and about 40,000 birds breed there. The island of Rouzic, white with gannets, is home to France's only colony of northern gannets; in spring you also see puffins, which leave around mid-July, and grey seals are frequently seen.

You cannot land on the reserve's islands. The boat goes round them at close range, with commentary from the crew, and on one of the trips it stops at the Île aux Moines, the island with the Sept-Îles lighthouse and the only one where landing is allowed.

Who runs it

Armor Navigation has its maritime station on Trestraou beach, in Perros-Guirec. Departures:

• 1 h 45 trip: goes round Rouzic, Malban and Bono and returns along the Pink Granite Coast. €22 per person over 12, €16 for ages 3 to 12, free for under-3s. Animals pay €5.
• 2 h 15 trip: adds the Ploumanac'h coastline. €24.50 and €17.50 for ages 3 to 12. It only departs when the tidal coefficients allow it.
• 2 h 30 trip with a stop on the Île aux Moines: about 40 minutes ashore. €24.50 and €17.50. Only in season and if landing is possible; animals not allowed. The island's paths are steep and uneven, with no benches or toilets, and the landing is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

They depart from Trestraou from April to September; in July and August also from Ploumanac'h and Trégastel. Each week's timetable is published the previous Saturday, because it depends on the sea.

In July and August the LPO also runs, three times a week, a trip of about 2 hours by boat with a naturalist guide, from the Trestraou maritime station: €22 and €16.50 for under-12s. Book by phone on 02 96 91 91 40.

How to book and when to arrive

Armor Navigation sells online (you receive the ticket by email; check your spam folder), by phone and at its ticket offices. In July and August book ahead. Show up 30 minutes before departure: depending on the state of the sea, boarding may be brought forward by 15 minutes.

If you have reduced mobility or are with a pushchair, board at Trestraou: at Trégastel and Ploumanac'h access is not adapted.

Getting to Trestraou

The maritime station is above Trestraou beach. In summer, the car parks at place Adolphine et Jean Siffre and Rohellou are paid from 4 July to 30 August; the Kerabram one is free and, from 6 July to 31 August, has a free shuttle to the beach every 15 minutes. If you sleep at the Domaine de Trestraou, you walk.

When to go

For puffins, from April to early July. The gannets of Rouzic can be seen all season. In a heavy swell trips may be cancelled; in fog, you see little. Wrap up even if it is warm on land: at sea it blows.

What to bring

A windcheater, sunglasses and binoculars if you have them. With small children, something to eat and an extra layer. If you make the stop, footwear with grip.

On your return, the customs officers' path starts next to the maritime station. To learn more about the reserve's birds, the LPO station on the Île-Grande.