If you are visiting Pembrokeshire between April and August, you will be here at the same time as the Skomer Island Puffins! If you fancy seeing these all too cute and now famous birds, here’s everything you need to know about visiting the puffins on Skomer Island.

 

Skomer Island Puffins

 

WHERE is Skomer Island?

Skomer Island is located in Jack Sound, less than a mile off the coast of Pembrokeshire. The island is less than 3km² and is one of the most important seabird sites in the UK. The puffin population is thriving here, and it’s one of the best places to see puffins anywhere, let alone Pembrokeshire!

 

Puffins Skomer Island

When are there puffins on Skomer Island?

Puffins arrive on Skomer Island in April, and stay until August. They can take time to settle, and the best time to see large numbers of puffins is from mid-June to mid-July. They may be considered the island’s main attraction by many, but there’s even more to see! There’s the chance to see manx shearwaters, dolphins, porpoise, seals, razorbills and more incredible flora and fauna on Skomer.

 

Pembrokeshire Boat Trip

HOW CAN I VISIT SKOMER Island?

If you’re staying on the St Davids Peninsula, there are two ways you can visit Skomer Island.

To land on Skomer, there’s only one place to be, and that’s Martin’s Haven, about an hour’s drive from St Davids. In the past, the boat has always run on a first-come, first-served basis, but it’s now possible to book online. After a 15-minute crossing on the Dale Princess, you can spend hours walking around the island and, of course, puffin spotting!

If you don’t fancy the drive and would like to see Pembrokeshire puffins from the sea, then you can take a boat trip from St Justinians, home to St Davids lifeboat station. Falcon Boats run trips to Skomer and are a fantastic option.

 

Pembrokeshire Puffins

Is there anything I need to know about landing on Skomer?

Like anywhere that’s home to so much wildlife, there are some things to bear in mind when visiting Skomer Island. Here are a few, and make sure to have a read of the advice when booking your trip.

  • As it’s home to puffins, rabbits and shearwater, there isn’t much of Skomer that hasn’t been burrowed. This means it’s very important to stick to the designated paths.
  • Dress appropriately for whatever weather you’re likely to encounter, and wear good footwear for walking.
  • Dogs are not allowed on Skomer.
  • A certain level of fitness is required, as there are 87(!) steps that lead up from the jetty, and the ground is uneven.
  • There aren’t any cafe facilities on the island (although you can buy water) so make sure to pack a picnic!

 

Day dreaming about days spent on skomer? BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY IN PEMBROKESHIRE!

 

3 responses to “Skomer Island Puffins”

  1. […] A bigger once in a lifetime opportunity if you’re staying between April and August is to book a trip to Skomer Island to see the […]

  2. Jenny Lundak says:

    We will be traveling by train. Is there transportation from a town with a railway station to Martin’s Haven? We would appreciate any information.

    • stdavidsescapes says:

      Thanks Jenny, for the most up to date information when you come to visit is to the check the Pembrokeshire Islands Boat Trips here. I visited in June and it was a magical experience.

      The 400 Puffin Shuttle is a coastal route that runs between our departure point in Martin’s Haven & St Davids. This route operates daily from 25th May to 29th September 2024.
      You can find a list of all Pembrokeshire bus routes here.

      The Fflecsi bus service – Select the Milford Zone
      Instead of operating a fixed route and a set timetable, Fflecsi operates within a set zone and is available anytime between 7.30am and 6.30pm (Monday to Saturday). Customers can book by downloading the Fflecsi App from the App Store or Play Store. Alternatively you can book by phoning 0300 234 0300 (Mon-Sat: 7am-7pm/Sun: 9am-6pm).

      Taxi Services are available and will cost approximately £22-£25 from Milford Haven area and £35 from Haverfordwest.

      The closest train station is in Milford Haven – 11 miles away.

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