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

Skomer Island

Mixed-habitat reserve

Place photograph

9.4

Wildland

Half day

Time

Paid

Cost

Wild

Feel

CoastalRemote countrysideWildlife loversPhotographersWalkers

Why it's Wildland

9.4

A small island with an extraordinary seabird presence: puffins, guillemots, razorbills and Manx shearwaters share the cliffs and slopes, while bluebells bring spring colour.

Skomer is a genuine wildlife destination, not simply a scenic island. Its internationally important seabird colonies make a landing feel like entering the rhythm of a living colony; the experience changes sharply with the season.

Wild · Atmospheric · Big-sky

Find your way

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

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The experience

Book a landing trip from Martin’s Haven, then spend the island visit walking the marked footpaths and watching seabirds from a respectful distance. The published island walk is 4 miles and takes about 3 hours; keep to paths and check the boat timetable before setting out.

Things to do

Walk the island footpaths

Explore the island on foot; the National Park describes a 4-mile (6.4 km) island walk with cliff-edge character. Stay on footpaths.

About 3 hours

Watch the puffin colony

Puffins arrive from mid-April, are present from May to July, and begin leaving in mid-July. Observe from the footpaths and avoid disturbing wildlife.

Look for spring bluebells

Bluebells are listed among the island’s seasonal wildlife highlights.

Scan the cliffs for seabirds

Look for guillemots and razorbills, as well as puffins during their season. The island is an important seabird colony.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Allow for the booked boat schedule and island landing; check current timings before travel.

Quick island landing

01
Book a day trip and landing fee with the authorised operator.
02
Take the boat from Martin’s Haven to Skomer.
03
Use the island footpaths for a shorter wildlife-focused visit; remain on the paths and allow time for the allocated return boat.

Half day · About 3 hours walking, plus boat travel.

The Skomer island walk

01
Book the crossing and landing fee from Martin’s Haven.
02
Walk the island route, described by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park as 4 miles (6.4 km).
03
Pause to watch seabirds and look for seasonal wildlife, keeping to footpaths.
04
Return on the boat time allocated to your outward journey.

Verified history

The supplied sources establish Skomer’s significance as a National Nature Reserve and internationally important seabird island, but do not provide enough historical detail to support a fuller history account.

Hidden details

A seasonal wildlife calendar — The island’s wildlife changes through the year: puffins are present from mid-April to July, Manx shearwaters from April to September, and choughs year-round, according to the supplied seasonal timeline.

When to go

April · May · June · July · Check the booked boat departure and return schedule; the supplied sources do not identify a best time of day for wildlife viewing.

Mid-April to July is the puffin season, with May–July offering the core period when puffins are present. Bluebells are listed for April–May. Other seabirds and wildlife have different seasonal windows.

Check the marine forecast and current boat status before travel. The supplied sources do not give specific weather thresholds or cancellation guidance.

The route

distance: 4.0 miles (6.4 km)
duration: 3 hours
difficulty: Check before visiting; the source describes a cliff-edge island walk but does not grade difficulty.
start point: Skomer Island landing point; reached by boat from Martin’s Haven.
parking start: Check before visiting; parking details are not given in the supplied sources.
shorter alternative: A shorter visit may be possible, but no shorter route is specified in the supplied sources.

Island and cliff-edge walking
Puffins, razorbills and guillemots in season
Choughs and seals are also noted by the National Park

What to look for

01
Watch for puffins, guillemots and razorbills on the cliffs
02
look for Manx shearwaters in season, choughs year-round, and bluebells in spring. Grey seals are reported year-round, with lower numbers from May to July.

Best time to go

April–July for breeding seabirds; puffins are present from mid-April to the end of July, with May–July the strongest window. Bluebells are listed for April–May.

May to July for puffins alongside other breeding seabirds. April–May also brings bluebells; visit in the season that best matches the wildlife you hope to see.

How long to spend

Half day

Perfect for

Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Walkers

Before you go

Website Google Maps

Address

Haverfordwest SA62 3BJ

Website

welshwildlife.org

Listed hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Check before visiting.

Google rating

5.0 · 241 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

Island visits require a boat crossing and landing fee; day trips must be booked. The supplied sources describe seasonal services, so check current dates and arrangements before travelling.

Check before visiting

Parking

Check before visiting; the supplied sources identify Martin’s Haven as the boat departure point but do not give parking details.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed on the island.

Accessibility

The source row reports no wheelchair-accessible car park or entrance. The island walk is described as a cliff-edge route; check current access information with the operator before booking.

Check before visiting

Cost

Paid

Water

Sea