Anglesey in Spring: What to See and Do in March, April & May
The first warm day of March arrives without warning. One morning the Menai Strait is steel-grey and wind-whipped; the next, it’s a mirror reflecting the still-bare oaks of Plas Newydd. Spring on Anglesey doesn’t announce itself — it seeps in gradually, then all at once.
This is the island’s quiet season, after the winter storms and before the summer crowds. Beaches that will be packed in August are yours alone. The coastal path is firm underfoot. And if you time it right, you’ll catch one of Britain’s great wildlife spectacles: the return of the puffins to South Stack.
March — the awakening
March is a month of transitions. The first half can feel like winter’s stubborn grip; the second half brings the earliest wildflowers and noticeably longer evenings.
What to see:
The gorse blazes first. By mid-March, the coastal headlands around Rhoscolyn and Penmon are studded with yellow, their coconut scent carrying on the wind. Look for early primroses in sheltered lanes and the first green shoots of wild garlic in the woodlands around Newborough.
Grey seals are pupping through late winter into early March around Llanddwyn Island and Puffin Island. Keep your distance — 50 metres minimum — but a long lens from the coastal path rewards patience.
What to do:
This is prime walking season. The Anglesey Coastal Path is quiet, the ground is drying out, and you can cover serious mileage without the summer heat. The stretch from Moelfre to Amlwch passes Red Wharf Bay’s vast tidal flats and the Victorian harbour at Amlwch Port — allow a full day.
Beaumaris Castle is uncrowded enough to properly explore every tower and wall walk. The spring light through the arrow slits is worth the Cadw entry fee alone.
April — puffin season begins
The defining event of Anglesey’s spring is the return of the puffins to South Stack RSPB Reserve on Holy Island. They arrive in early April, fresh from wintering at sea, and the cliffs come alive.
What to see:
Head to Ellin’s Tower, the RSPB’s seabird centre perched above the lighthouse. Bring binoculars — the puffins nest in burrows on the cliffs opposite, and a good pair of 8x42s makes all the difference. The tower’s volunteers know exactly where to look and which burrows are active.
The cliffs also host razorbills, guillemots, and fulmars. By late April, the noise is extraordinary — thousands of seabirds stacking the cliff face like a living apartment block.
Away from South Stack, April is bluebell time. The woods at Plas Newydd National Trust put on a reliable show, carpeting the ground beneath ancient oaks. Newborough Forest has pockets of blue too, though you’ll need to venture off the main tracks.
What to do:
Book a boat trip to Puffin Island from Beaumaris Pier. Despite its name, the island’s puffin colony was wiped out by rats decades ago — they’ve been eradicated but the birds haven’t yet returned in numbers. The trip is still worthwhile for grey seals, cormorants, and close-up views of the medieval priory ruins. Seacoast Safaris runs regular departures when weather allows.
Coasteering season opens in April. The water is cold — 10–12°C — but a thick wetsuit and the adrenaline of cliff jumping keep you warm. Anglesey Outdoors runs sessions around the Holy Island sea cliffs, where you’ll likely have the caves and gullies to yourself.
May — the island in bloom
By May, Anglesey feels properly alive. Days stretch past 9pm, the sea warms enough for the brave to swim without a wetsuit, and the hedgerows are thick with cow parsley and red campion.
What to see:
The tern colony at Cemlyn Bay reaches its peak. This shingle lagoon on the north coast hosts one of Britain’s largest Sandwich tern breeding sites — up to 2,500 pairs — plus Arctic and common terns. Watch from the raised path that runs along the shingle bar; there’s a small hide at the eastern end. The North Wales Wildlife Trust manages the site.
Wild garlic is in full flower in the damp woodlands. The pungent smell hits you before you see it. Good spots include the woods behind Llanddwyn Beach and the valley above Moelfre.
What to do:
The beaches are empty and warming. Newborough Beach stretches for miles — walk south to Llanddwyn Island and you might not see another person until you reach the lighthouse. Trearddur Bay on Holy Island has rock pools worth hours of exploration at low tide.
If you’re ready to get wet, sea kayaking around Holy Island is spectacular in settled May weather. Guided kayak trips from Rhoscolyn explore sea caves and hidden coves that you can’t reach on foot.
Practical notes for spring visitors
Weather: March averages 8–10°C; May reaches 14–16°C. Rain is possible any day — pack layers and a waterproof shell. The wind is the variable: calm days feel warm, but an easterly can cut through. Check the Met Office coastal forecast before committing to exposed headland walks.
Accommodation: Spring is shoulder season, which means availability is good and prices are lower than July–August. Self-catering cottages book up around Easter and the May bank holidays; midweek stays are easier to find.
What to bring: Binoculars for wildlife watching. A tide table app — Red Wharf Bay, Llanddwyn, and Cemlyn all reward timing your visit to the tides. Walking boots rather than trainers; the coastal path has muddy sections into April.
Getting here: The A55 from Chester takes around 90 minutes to Menai Bridge. Bank holiday traffic can add 30–45 minutes at the Britannia Bridge bottleneck — leave early or late.
A spring weekend itinerary
Day 1: Drive to South Stack for the morning (arrive by 10am for active puffins). Lunch at The Oyster Catcher in Rhosneigr — 25 minutes south. Afternoon walk on Newborough Beach to Llanddwyn Island, returning before the tide turns.
Day 2: Beaumaris Castle in the morning. Boat trip to Puffin Island at midday. Finish with seafood at Dylan’s on the Menai Strait, watching the water turn gold as the sun sets behind the mountains.
Spring on Anglesey is the island at its most honest — wild edges, empty paths, and the slow unfurling of a Welsh year. Come before the crowds do.