Bardsey Island — Ynys Enlli in Welsh, meaning "Island in the Currents" — sits 3 km off the tip of the Llŷn Peninsula, separated by one of the most treacherous tidal races in Wales. For medieval pilgrims, three journeys to Bardsey equalled one to Rome. The island was said to be the burial place of 20,000 saints, and the ruins of the 13th-century St Mary's Abbey still stand at the northern end.
The crossing from Aberdaron takes about 20 minutes on a calm day, but the Bardsey Sound lives up to its reputation — trips are weather-dependent and cancellations are common. On the island, the permanent population numbers fewer than ten. Seals haul out on the rocks, Manx shearwaters breed in great numbers, and during migration the bird observatory records species rarely seen on the British mainland.
You can rent one of the island's stone cottages for a week at a time through the Bardsey Island Trust. Day trips run from Pwllheli during summer months. Book well in advance — both are popular.