We went last summer. I thought you couldn't book, you just have to turn up and take your chance. There's no allocated pitches but there's obviously a limit as to how many people / units they can have on the island.
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if you can be there earlier friday afternoon, or at the worst FIRST THING sat, ie 0800 you should invariably get on, the queues soon after that are horrendous, and can result in disappointment after a long wait on the causeway to get near reception. That said the worst times usually B/H weekends, though can be a risk any weekend in the school hols. Obviously the weekends are worst, so if you can travel very early it is worth it. I got in easter a couple of years ago at 0800, and the site was declared full by 0900! ALWAYS CHECK THE CAUSEWAY ACCESS TIMES_____ you do NOT want to sit at one end waiting up to six hours for a spring tide to recede before proceeding...trust me! Causeway tidal data available on their website
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Hi I would reiterate everything that RAMDIRVE777 has said above but dont be put off as its a great place to camp and as its soooo huge you will probably get a pitch.
I dont like to say this but Ive been twice and have to say the booking in staff are not the happiest campers Ive met so they may not be much help if you phone either.
I would definitely go and get there for 8.00 am when it opens, thats what Ive done and never failed.
You can't book for Shell Island - it's simply turn up and hope!
We went on a Bank Holiday last year mid-day Friday and the queues to check-in were horrible - BUT they did go down quickly. I didn't worry about not being able to get on though, the island is HUGE (campsite-wise) and it takes a LOT of campers to fill it. In fact, it's the biggest tenting site in Europe with over 300 acres. That said, it has been known to be full (albeit not very often).
You can arrive any time between 8am and sunset. Be sure to arrive early on a Bank Holiday weekend to get a nice spot overlooking the sea if that's your choice (it's windy on the edge though!).
Claire
------------- Claire x
Jan 2013 - Skiing, Kühtai, Austria
May - Swiss Farm
Fforest Ffields
Aug - Saumur, France
Oct - Somewhere...
Jan '14 - Skiing, Les Houches
Was there last week, you will love it, if you can get there the evening before it will be easier as they queue at 4 in the morning on busy weekends but as said its huge so you should get on.
Been many times to shell even when half empty compared with normal sites the full sign will go up it's to do with the 20 metres between tents. Well worth a visit. But would recommend take own sanitation and watching the tide table. Will be there next week can't wait.
------------- Yesterday is already a dream and tomorrow is only a vision, but today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
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You can't book! You turn up - if there is room, there is room. On admission, you have to drive around and find a place to pitch that is either 20m away from the nearest other camp or less in the dunes so long as you don't invade other campers' privacy.
People turned away from the gates get frustrated because they often see whole fields practically empty whilst being told the site is full and they can't come in. Lots of large family groups go there, pitching closer together than the 20m rule because they have each othe's consent. That fills the site to capacity even when the fields close to the gate (least popular because of distance from the beach and exposure to the wind) remain almost empty. The owners say their hands are tied - it's due to council regs.
Fridays and Saturdays in August are a real gamble with a big chance that you won't get on at all. I'd highly recommend getting there on Tuesday or Wednesday. Ring first to check but there are still no guarantees. It's a popular place and for good reason. We can't wait to get back this year!
I'd also recommend bringing your own chemical toilet. Nuff said!