How to Visit Skomer Island to See Puffins: When to Go, What to Expect, and Family Tips
Did you know there is a tiny island, a stone’s throw from the Pembrokeshire coast, where you can find one of the UK’s most magical wildlife encounters? On the tiny island of Skomer, tens of thousands of Atlantic puffins arrive each spring to breed and raise their young. Just a short 15-minute boat ride from Martin’s Haven, Pembrokeshire, this remote Welsh island offers a rare chance to get close to puffins in their natural habitat — and it’s one of the most accessible places in the UK to do so.
Our family visited Skomer Island in July 2025, and it was a trip we’ll never forget. The sight of puffins waddling along the ground and diving off cliffs with fish-filled beaks was unforgettable. In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The best time to see puffins on Skomer Island
- How to get there and book your boat trip
- What to bring (and what to expect)
- What it’s like to explore Skomer as a family
- Why puffin conservation matters — and how you can help
Whether you’re a bird lover, photographer, or planning a nature-focused family adventure, this guide will help you plan a successful and meaningful visit.
Let’s explore what makes Skomer Island so special — and help you decide if it’s the right trip for you and your family.
For more Wales adventures, check out our itinerary for 10 days in North Wales, including plenty of castles, waterfalls and family hikes. This is a 2 part itinerary, find Part 2 includes the mountains of Eryri and beautiful Anglesey. And if you fancy trying wild camping, check out our family guide to wild camping with kids.
What is it like visiting Skomer Island during Puffin season?
An account from our family visit to Skomer in early July 2025.
As we near the island, towards the end of our 15 minute boat ride, a distinctive silhouette with furiously flapping wings streaks through the sky above the boat. Through my salt-spray covered glasses, I spy more of these endearing creatures, bobbing happily on the water, before diving beneath the surface in search of prey.
We are travelling with Pembrokeshire Island boat trips, on a small vessel named the Dale Queen. During the journey our skipper explains the island’s conservation status and significance, not just for Puffins but many other birds besides. This tiny Welsh island, we discover, is home to half the world’s population of Manx Shearwater, alongside Curlew, Gannets, Choughs, owls, a variety of Gulls and many other birds besides.
The boat docks, and we head up the 87 steps to meet a conservation volunteer. There are respectfully hushed squeals of delight. Eyes open wide and hands covering mouths in excitement. To our amazement, not one, not two, but thousands of Puffins line the grass to either side of the path. As if they have heard how popular they are, they strut and preen and are completely unfazed by our boat full of excited visitors. Some are so bold they come right up to the path, tilting their heads curiously to one side. One curious fellow walks straight up to the lens of a camera, watching his own reflection. The camera’s owner seems happy to risk a scratched lens in the sheer joy of the interaction.
During our initiation talk we learn the rules of the island. The golden rule – stick to the path. The entire island, we learn, is covered by the burrows of nesting birds. Becky, our volunteer, explains that a misplaced foot, bag or tripod leg could destroy a burrow or even kill a bird. Talk complete, we head off following the anti-clockwise, 4.5 mile path around the island.
Although there are many species of birds, all but the most dedicated ornithologists are here for the puffins. They are the stars of the show and they know it! Bold and brave, they strut about their business showing off bright orange beaks. A volunteer explains that the birds develop the vivid colours in their beaks ready for the breeding season. They arrive in full breeding colours, ready to impress. Both male and female Puffins develop the distinctive colouring. They are charming, charismatic and pretty hilarious too.
Most puffins gather near the sea cliffs, but the rest of the island is equally worth exploring. We walk through waist high bracken (unpalatable for rabbits and thus thriving on the island) following the path, marvel at birds soaring alongside the cliffs and admire the powerful waves crashing against rocky coves far below.
My youngest son and I spend an hour on one spot of the path when we reach ‘The Wick’, a prime puffin area. He is desperate to see a puffling, which usually remain safe in their burrow. We take our place between the photographers and ornithologists and examine every burrow carefully. After a tip off from a volunteer, he is rewarded by the sight of a puffling, still adorably fluffy and fragile, emerging from the burrow for a few moments. Satisfied, my son sits down on the path and spends half an hour watching the puffling pop in and out of its burrow. Occasionally, a cloud of earth appears as a nearby Puffin improves their home, or carefully carries an unwanted stone in his beak to place on the ground outside.
The birds, which look slightly comical on land, excel in the water and are able to dive up to 60feet for food. One of the most exciting moments is watching for a Puffin to arrive with a beak full of fish. They fly up, furiously flapping their wings and appearing for all the world like an over-sized humming bird, before hurtling at break-neck speed towards the ground and instantly scurrying into the burrow. We soon realise the need for speed: any Puffins taking their time soon become prey for the resident Gulls, who stand ready to snatch their food, reminding me of many an ice cream lost to the flying opportunists. One bold puffin flies over the cliff and straight toward us, before landing at our feet and disappearing down his burrow. Our seven year old turns to me, eyes bright, and quietly exclaims, “We’ll remember this forever Mum.”
After the 30 days nurture period has finished, the adult Puffins abruptly depart, returning to a life at sea. The Pufflings, now ready to fledge, are left to follow their instincts and leap from the island’s cliffs to begin their marine life. The island will be left to the many other animal inhabitants until spring next year.
As for us, after a full day of exploring, we reluctantly return to the boat and head home. The visit has exceeded our expectations and was simply magical.
FAQs
When is the best time to see Puffins on Skomer Island?
Puffins arrive in April and stay through to the end of July, with peak viewing in May and June when they’re nesting and feeding their chicks.
Pufflings begin to emerge from late May, and by late July, most puffins leave for the open sea. April sees the island carpeted in bluebells and is another lovely time to visit.
How do I visit Skomer to see Puffins?
To land on Skomer, you must book a Skomer Island Day Trip via Pembrokeshire Island Boat Trips. Boats depart from Martin’s Haven, and each trip gives you about 4.5 hours on the island.
👉 Tip: Book early — tickets often sell out weeks or even months in advance during puffin season.
Is visiting Skomer island worth it?
If you’re hoping to see puffins and other incredible birdlife, Skomer Island is absolutely worth a visit. Keep in mind that this is very much a wildlife trip and the island is an area of Special Scientific Interest and a Marine Conservation Zone. The focus is on conservation and preserving the habitat for the species that call Skomer home. There are very limited facilities – just a couple of composting toilets at the centre of the island. However, this is a truly enthralling, magical experience for anyone interested in wildlife.
How much does it cost to visit Skomer for a day trip?
| Dates | Adults (12+) | Children (2–11) |
|---|---|---|
| April 1–13 | £40 | £30 |
| April 14 – July 31 | £44 | £30 |
| August – September | £30 | £24 |
Under 2s travel free on the lap of an adult.
What should I bring on my visit?
Skomer is a remote, wild island with very limited shelter and no shops, so you’ll need to come fully prepared. Here’s a packing checklist:
🧥 Weather Protection
- Lightweight raincoat or waterproof jacket
- Jumper or fleece (it can be windy, even in summer)
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Umbrella (optional, but handy for shelter)
👟 Footwear
- Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
- The island’s paths are uneven, rocky, and sometimes muddy
🥪 Food & Drink
- Packed lunch and snacks
- At least one large water bottle per person
- All rubbish must be taken home — there are no bins on the island
📷 Optional Gear
- Binoculars for birdwatching
- Camera with zoom lens
- Power bank (there are no charging facilities)
Is a visit to Skomer Island suitable for children?
Yes. It’s a wonderful place to show nature-loving kids. You will need to bear a few things in mind when deciding if it’s for you:
- You must stay on marked paths at all times
- There are no shops or playgrounds
- A carrier for small children, the paths are narrow in places
- The full route takes about 2.5 hours to walk
- Toilets are only available in the centre of the island
- There are 87 steep steps at the start
Our children (ages 7, 10, and 13) loved it — especially seeing puffins up close. It’s a great opportunity to immerse your family in connection with nature and teach environmental responsibility.
“We’ll remember this forever.” James, age 7
When is Skomer puffin season?
April – July
How fit do you need to be to visit Skomer Island and see the puffins?
- Climb 87 stairs after disembarking
- Walk up to 4.5 miles on uneven ground
- Get on and off the boat with minimal assistance
Shorter walking routes are available if you’re not up for the full island loop.
Why do Puffins only visit from April to July?
Puffins visit Skomer annually to breed and raise their chicks. Puffins return to the same burrow, with the same partner, year after year. Once the eggs have hatched, the adults nurture the puffling for 30 days, feeding them with sandeels and sardines, until they are ready to take on life on the ocean alone.
Are Puffins endangered?
Despite their iconic status, puffins are now on the red list of UK Birds of Conservation Concern. As sea birds who spend the majority of their lives living at sea, they are deeply tied to the fates of our oceans. Atlantic Puffins face many threats, including overfishing, habitat loss and climate change.
Fortunately numbers of puffins in Wales are increasing, due to positive conservation policies and practices, including a ban on sandeel fishing, marine conservation zones and carefully controlled tourism.
How can I help with Puffin conservation?
During your visit
- Stick to the path at all times
- Take all rubbish home with you
- Follow the path anti-clockwise around the island
- Maintain a respectful distance from the wildlife
Good practices for puffin conservation
- When buying fish, look for the blue MSC tick, denoting food which has been caught or reared following a set of sustainable fishing standards.
- Reduce or eliminate single-use plastic. This reduces the amount of plastic that Puffins, and other sea birds, encounter. The plastic can be mistaken for food and fed to young puffins.
- Organise or join a beach clean. Even a few minutes is helpful.
- Take steps to reduce your family’s carbon footprint: Holidaying closer to home, reducing the consumption of animal products, reducing food waste and opting for sustainable transport such as walking, biking, bus or train are all great ways.
- Join a wildlife trust such as the Welsh Wildlife Trust, to discover more ways to help and find out more about Puffins and other Welsh Wildlife.
What sort of Puffins are in the UK and on Skomer?
The puffins we see in the UK are Atlantic Puffins. Just 10% of the European population live in the UK.
What other wildlife can I see on Skomer island?
- Manx Shearwater
- Puffin
- Herring Gull
- Kittiwake
- Great black-backed Gull
- Cormorant
- Gannet
- Curlew
- Oystercatcher
- Razorbill
- Seal
- Rabbit
- ‘Skomer’ vole
- Porpoise
- Short-eared owl
- Peregrine
- Buzzard
- Kestrel
Visiting Skomer was a very special experience for our family – it was a powerful reminder of the beauty and fragility of our natural world. Seeing thousands of puffins thriving in this carefully protected habitat sparked a sense of wonder in our children. It is impossible to see these creatures and not feel moved to protect our seas and the animals which rely upon them.
As puffin numbers decline in other parts of the UK, Skomer stands out as a conservation success story, showing what’s possible when tourism, science, and local communities work together. If you’re looking for a UK wildlife experience that inspires, educates, and stays with you forever, add Skomer to your list.
Planning your own Skomer adventure? Have questions or want to share your puffin story? Drop a comment below — we’d love to hear from you!
One response to “How to Visit Skomer Island to See Puffins: When to Go, What to Expect, and Family Tips”
Hi, would love to go here one day. Great photos.