Off the Pembrokeshire coast, reached by boat from Martin’s Haven, Wales

Skomer Island

Mixed-habitat reserve

Place photograph

9.1

Wildland

Full day

Time

Paid

Cost

Wild

Feel

CoastalRemote countrysideHillsWildlife loversPhotographersWalkersFamilies

Why it's Wildland

9.1

A short boat crossing leads to a wild island of cliff-edge paths and one of Britain’s most important seabird colonies, with puffins, guillemots, razorbills and Manx shearwaters among its seasonal inhabitants.

Skomer makes a day out of the journey itself: a boat approach, a cliff-edged island walk and an extraordinary concentration of seabirds. It is especially compelling from May to July, when puffins are present; stay on the paths to protect nesting birds.

Wild · Dramatic · Big-sky

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Off the Pembrokeshire coast, reached by boat from Martin’s Haven, Wales

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The experience

Make this a planned full-day wildlife visit, not a spontaneous coastal stroll: book the boat and landing, allow time for the crossing and island walk, and keep to the paths. The National Park describes a 4-mile (6.4 km), three-hour island walk; the day-trip source says the boat journey takes about 20 minutes.

Things to do

Walk the island’s cliff-edge paths

Explore the island on foot and take in its cliff-edge character. The National Park gives a 4-mile (6.4 km) walk taking about three hours; stay on footpaths throughout.

About 3 hours

Look for puffins

Puffins begin arriving in mid-April, are present from May to July and have left by the end of July, according to the Wildlife Trust. Keep to paths and observe without disturbing nesting birds.

Watch for other island wildlife

The supplied sources name guillemots, razorbills, Manx shearwaters, choughs, short-eared owls, gulls and seals. Which species you see depends on season; check the Wildlife Trust’s current seasonal information.

Notice the seasonal flowers

The Wildlife Trust timeline lists bluebells in April–May; the National Park walk information notes bluebells in May/June and heather in August/September. Timing may vary.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 3 hours on the island, plus boat travel and check-in

Quick island wildlife walk

01
Book a landing trip and check the current boat timetable before setting out.
02
Take the boat from Martin’s Haven and listen to the island welcome briefing.
03
Follow the island footpaths for a focused walk, watching for seasonal seabirds from the paths.
04
Return on the boat allocated to your outward journey; the supplied day-trip information says visitors cannot choose a different return time.

Half day · Full day

Make a full wildlife day of it

01
Arrive at Martin’s Haven one hour before departure, as advised in the supplied Wildlife Trust video transcript.
02
Take the boat crossing and look out for seabirds and seals en route.
03
Spend the island visit exploring the footpaths rather than stopping at only one viewing area.
04
Use the National Park’s 4-mile (6.4 km), three-hour walk as a guide to the island outing; follow current island instructions and stay on the paths.
05
Return according to the boat operator’s allocated return time.

Verified history

The supplied sources establish Skomer as a National Nature Reserve and describe its importance as a seabird colony. They do not provide a substantiated historical narrative for the island.

Hidden details

The 87 steps from the landing — The Wildlife Trust’s visitor video says visitors climb 87 steps after landing to reach the welcome talk. This is a useful detail for planning the visit and considering access needs.

A season that changes by the month — The Wildlife Trust’s seasonal timeline distinguishes the timing of puffins, seabirds, seals, owls and bluebells. Check it close to your visit rather than assuming every species is present throughout the season.

When to go

April · May · June · July · August · September · Follow the booked boat departure and return timetable; the supplied sources do not establish a preferred time of day for wildlife viewing.

Day trips are listed for April–August, with a reduced schedule in September. Puffins arrive from mid-April, are present May–July and have left by the end of July. The seasonal sources also identify other wildlife and flowers across spring and summer.

The National Park describes the route as an island walk along cliff edges. Check the forecast and current operator guidance before travelling; the supplied sources do not give specific weather thresholds or cancellation rules.

The route

surface: Unpaved paths; some sections are steep and uneven
distance: 4.0 miles (6.4 km)
duration: 3 hours
start point: Skomer Island landing point
parking start: Boat access from Martin’s Haven; the supplied Wildlife Trust video identifies the National Trust Martin’s Haven car park and advises arriving one hour before departure.

Cliff-edge island walk
Seasonal puffins, guillemots and razorbills
Other seasonal wildlife including choughs, short-eared owls, gulls and seals

What to look for

01
Look for puffins, guillemots and razorbills during their spring and summer season
02
the supplied sources also identify Manx shearwaters, choughs, short-eared owls, gulls and seals. Notice the bluebells in spring and heather later in summer, and watch for wildlife from the paths without approaching nesting areas.

Best time to go

April–September for day trips; May–July for puffins. Bluebells are listed for April–May, and the National Park walk notes heather in August–September.

May to July is the clearest choice for puffins. The Wildlife Trust says they arrive from mid-April, are present May–July and have left by the end of July. Check the seasonal wildlife information before booking.

How long to spend

Full day

Perfect for

Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Walkers · Families

Before you go

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Practical information

Opening & access

A landing visit requires a boat crossing and island landing fee. The supplied Wildlife Trust source says day trips operate April–August, Tuesday to Sunday, with a reduced schedule in September; check current availability and booking details before travelling. Visitors must stay on footpaths.

Check before visiting

Parking

The supplied Wildlife Trust video transcript identifies the National Trust Martin’s Haven car park and advises arriving one hour before the boat. Parking payment and app arrangements can change; check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

The supplied Wildlife Trust video transcript says toilets are available on the route at the mainland check-in. Check current arrangements before visiting.

Check before visiting

Food & drink

The supplied Wildlife Trust video transcript says refreshments and snacks are available to buy at the mainland check-in; it also mentions water for sale at the island welcome point. Check current availability.

Check before visiting

Dogs

No dogs are allowed on the island, according to the supplied Pembrokeshire Coast National Park walk information.

Accessibility

The island route includes steep and uneven paths and 87 steps from the landing point to the welcome talk, according to the supplied Wildlife Trust video transcript. The National Park describes the walk as cliff-edge. Check with the operator about individual access needs before booking.

Check before visiting

Cost

Paid

Water

Sea