The 2024 booking season will run from the end of May until early September.
Bookings will open 9am on Thursday 1st February 2024 on a first come first served basis.

A unique Island Escape, the Calf is the ideal location to enjoy bird life, flora and fauna. Around 33 species of birds breed on the Island annually, around 10 of which are sea birds. The 616 acre island is owned by Manx National Heritage and estate and ornithological wardens are resident at the bird observatory and look after the island’s population of resident and migrant birds.

Self- catering hostel / bunkhouse style accommodation is available on the Calf for up to 8 visitors. Please note that as the guest accommodation is part of a working bird observatory, accommodation is basic with shared bathroom facilities, shower facilities are not available. This is unique accommodation and very different to the Island Escapes holiday cottages.

All bookings for visitors wishing to stay overnight on the Calf are now taken with full payment in advance.

A stay on the Calf is only suitable for those who are fit enough to cope with the terrain and conditions. Visitors need to bring their own food supplies and a sleeping bag.

Travelling to the Island is a unique experience and is booked via local boatmen who arrange the boat journey to and from the Calf. Day trips can also be arranged directly with the boatmen operating ‘Scraayl’, ‘Shona Elizabeth’, ‘Kirree Varrey’ or 'Penguin' – please see our visitor information for contact details for each vessel operator.

If you are planning to stay overnight, it is important to pre-book your journey directly with the boatmen and your overnight accommodation online.

Minimum stay 2 nights, check in Monday or Wednesday only.
Minimum stay 3 nights for Friday check in only.
Both Check in and check out days are only permitted on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday

PLEASE NOTE THAT BOOKINGS MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO OTHER PARTIES AND ANY SUCH ARRANGEMENTS WILL RESULT IN CANCELLATION OF THE BOOKING