How to see puffins on Skomer Island using public transport

Puffins are undoubtedly among the most charismatic of birds. But despite their obvious appeal, most people never actually get to see them. Why? Cause it takes a little bit of effort. I fell in love with puffins in Iceland, but the boat tour I took from Reykjavik to the island they live on allowed me to see them only from a distance, so I decided to go to a place where I could see them up close. My choice was Skomer Island in Wales. As I did not want to rent a car because my left side driving skills are limited, I decided to go by public transport and here is how I did that. But let me start with some introduction about puffins just in case you are not so familiar with them.145 puffins skomer thesanetravel.comP1205570

Who are puffins?

Puffins got their name because of their distinct appearance. Their downy feathers make them appear puffed. The nicknames “clowns of the sea” and “sea parrots” are appearance-based. Both are references to the birds' colourful facial markings and beaks. Puffins have a black back, white underparts, a distinctive black head with prominent pale cheeks and a tall, flattened, brightly-coloured bill. The puffin's red and black eye-markings and bright orange legs make them look comical. 166 puffins skomer thesanetravel.comP1205639Estimates about the number of puffins in the world vary from 6 to 14 million. Despite being just 26–29 cm in length, Atlantic puffins are extremely tough, braving storm-tossed seas throughout autumn and winter, out of sight of land. Puffins eat fish, especially sand eels. They are one of the few birds able to carry multiple small fish crosswise in their unique hinged beaks. Puffins are very social birds, forming immense colonies together. When a puffin is around 3–5 years old, it will choose a partner at sea to mate with for life.135 puffins skomer thesanetravel.comP1205479138 puffins skomer thesanetravel.comP1205511144 puffins skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 150308147 puffins skomer thesanetravel.comP1205593152 puffins skomer thesanetravel.comP1205656156 puffins skomer thesanetravel.comP1205683158 puffins skomer thesanetravel.comP1205711159 puffins skomer thesanetravel.comP1205553161 puffins skomer thesanetravel.comP1205755162 puffins skomer thesanetravel.comP1205781163 puffins skomer thesanetravel.comP1205767

April to mid-August is the breeding season for puffins. They create burrows, about 90 cm (3 ft.), either in the soil or between rocks. At the back of the burrow, they build a nest lined with grasses, seaweed, and feathers. After the female lays a single egg, both parents take turns incubating the egg for about 40 days.10 puffins live skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 132253169 puffins skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 150021

Where do puffins live?

For most of the year, Atlantic puffins live on the open ocean, with a range spanning from the eastern coast of Canada and the northern United States to the western coast of Europe and northern Russia. About 60% of the world’s Puffin population lives in or near Iceland. There are more than 1 million puffins in different parts of the UK, living predominantly on islands.133 puffins skomer thesanetravel.comP1205538

The best places to see puffins in the UK

A few places, such as the Bullers of Buchan north of Aberdeen and Bempton in Yorkshire, have small mainland colonies, but most are on islands. Easier puffinries to reach by boat include the Farne Islands off Seahouses in Northumberland, the Isle of May from Anstruther in Fife and Skomer Island from Martin’s Haven in Wales.120 skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 150504

Best time to see puffins

You can see puffinries from late April to August, but June and July are the best months to see them as at this time they are busy feeding their single chick. So now it is time to get back to our Skomer Island trip planning.

First step: buying boat tickets to Skomer

To make your trip as efficient as possible, I suggest you secure a booking for a boat to Skomer. Better do it as early as possible when they start selling tickets for a particular season. For example, I bought my ticket online on the 2nd of February for a boat trip on the 14th of June. The boat goes to Skomer five times a day from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. except for Mondays. The boat is not big and my best estimate is that there are about 50 places on it. Travel time is roughly half an hour. Time on the island is limited to five hours. Be aware that boat trips will not operate in bad weather.

OK, you got your boat ticket; let’s plan the other parts of your itinerary.

How to get to Skomer Island by public transport

I assume that Cardiff is a good starting point for your trip if you visit from overseas. You would want to get to Martin’s Haven as it is where the boat departs for Skomer Island. Most likely, your puffin trip from and to Cardiff will take three days. One day getting there, one day visiting Skomer, and one day returning back to Cardiff. There are trains to Milford Haven from Cardiff several times a day. The trip takes about three hours. You can go to Milford Haven or Haverfordwest stations. Both are a similar distance from Martin’s Haven, which is a place from where boats to Skomer Island depart. If you plan to use the bus to get to Marloes afterwards, then Milford Haven is closer because of the bus route. You can hop on public bus number 315, which is going to Marloes from Haverfordwest with a stop at Milford Haven. Marloes is 3.5 kilometres from Martin’s Haven. 41 how to get to skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 094526It's advisable to book your accommodation in Marloes after you come back from Skomer. In this case, you can leave your unnecessary luggage there before going to Martin's Haven. The simplest way is to walk this last part. If you have time, it is possible to do this section by the coast, taking a short coastal walk. Then the hike will be longer, about 5 kilometres or so, but much more scenic. There is also Puffin Shuttle or bus number 400 going from Marloes to Martin’s Haven, but you have to check the timetable or call the operator to make sure it is operating. In 2022, for example, it was operating just once a week on Wednesdays. If you want to take the Puffin bus from Marloes, then your schedule will be like this: Arrive from Haverfordwest or Milford Haven to Marloes by bus number 315 at 10.05 a.m. and change to bus number 400 for a five-minute ride to Martin’s Haven. Then your safe bet for boat departure time would be 11.30 a.m. if bus number 400 does not show up and you have to walk to Martin’s Haven instead.40 how to get to skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 093551

Lockley Lodge Visitor Centre

Arrive one hour earlier at Lockley Lodge Visitor Centre to check-in and get your boat boarding pass. At the centre, you can buy an information booklet about Skomer island, souvenirs and some snacks and drinks.54 lockley lodge skomer thesanetravel.comP120529355 lockley lodge skomer thesanetravel.comP1205326 There are also toilets near the boat boarding point and a drinking water tap to fill your water bottle for free. The boat trip is only 30 minutes to Skomer.

What to bring

Wear suitable clothing and footwear for unpredictable weather conditions. Skomer has no catering facilities; however, water can be bought on the island. Therefore, you will need to bring your own food and beverages; drinks and snacks can be purchased at Lockley Lodge Visitor Centre. Even if sometimes you can see puffins very close, it is a good idea to bring binoculars because large colonies of birds are on cliffs relatively far away from pathways. You can also rent a binocular near the pier on Skomer, and I highly recommend doing it if you do not have your own. 60 what to bring skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 134836Keep in mind that dogs are not allowed on the island to protect wildlife and the environment.

Practical tips for visiting Skomer

Skomer is the largest of Pembrokeshire’s islands at almost 300 hectares (730 acres). It is owned by NRW (Natural Resources Wales) and managed by The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales. Access to the jetty at Martin’s Haven is over a rather steep set of steps and uneven footpath, and the island has 87 steep steps to climb from where the boat lands. 42 how to get to skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 114910Therefore, a certain level of fitness is required to access the island. Toilets are located just in one place at the old farm, so be warned. 64 practical skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 123305There are no trees on the island and many people with binoculars... The island is very exposed and there is a very little shelter or shade. 102 skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 130706103 skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 133400104 skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 131825After arriving, listen to a ranger for rules on the island and the best tips to plan your walk. 43 how to get to skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 115551The golden rule is to stay on designated paths at all times to prevent damage to puffin’s burrows.  44 practical skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 132207

Your time at Skomer will be limited to five hours. Use your time wisely. 105 skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 134251Despite short distances, you are likely to use most of your time watching puffins and taking lots of pictures like me, with only enough left to take a brief 15-minute lunch break. Following the ranger’s advice, I walked around the island counterclockwise to get to Wick, where most puffins are visible, late in the afternoon when they are more active.111 skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 143050118 skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 150239121 skomer thesanetravel.com20220614 150524

Other wildlife at Skomer

Besides puffins, the colony of Manx Shearwater on Skomer is possibly the largest in the world, and the Storm Petrel, Guillemot and Razorbill colonies are relatively large. Visitors can see these birds from a much greater distance than puffins, so it is when binoculars can be very helpful. Guillemots come to land only to nest, spending the rest of its life at sea. Dark brown and white, not as black as the similar razorbill, it has a 'bridled' form with a white ring around the eye and stripe behind it.70 other skomer thesanetravel.comP120545577 other skomer thesanetravel.comP1205852

The razorbill is a medium-sized seabird. It has a white belly, a black head, and a thick black beak which is deep and blunt, unlike the thinner bill of the similar guillemot.71 other skomer thesanetravel.comP120546575 other skomer thesanetravel.comP1205826

Skomer Island is home to half the world's population of Manx shearwater. More than 300,000 pairs of these birds breed in the colony. Unfortunately, you will most likely be unable to spot them as they can only return to feed their chicks under the cover of darkness. Since I did not see any animals myself, I will not comment on them.

If you like Skomer, think about visiting other places in Pembrokeshire, Southwest Wales. 

Summary

First, book your boat trip from Martin’s Haven to Skomer Island online in February for your trip in June. From my personal experience, the most suitable dates for booking a boat trip would be in early June within a certain timeframe, around 11.30 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. Allocate at least three days for your adventure. Go to Cardiff a day before your Skomer trip. Start your journey from Cardiff in the early afternoon, at the latest, by taking a train to Milford Haven or Haverfordwest and staying there overnight. The train trip takes about three hours to Milford Haven. In the morning, take a bus number 315 to Marloes, arriving there a bit after 10 a.m. If you are lucky, change to Puffin Shuttle for a five-minute ride to Martin’s Haven, where boats to Skomer Island depart. 180 puffin bus thesanetravel.comP1205917If not, you will have to walk 3.5 to 5 kilometres to Martin’s Haven, depending on your chosen path. 170 to lobster pot thesanetravel.com20220614 171241183to lobster pot thesanetravel.com20220614 172924Check-in at Lockley Lodge Visitor Centre one hour before your boat departure time to get your boarding pass. After arrival, listen to the ranger’s advice and enjoy your five hours on the island. After returning to Martin’s Haven, walk back to Marloes and stay overnight at Lobster Pot Inn or other accommodation. 171 lobster pot inn thesanetravel.comP1205916174 to lobster pot thesanetravel.com20220614 180511175 to lobster pot thesanetravel.com20220614 180537178 to lobster pot thesanetravel.com20220615 083900Advance booking through booking.com is highly recommendable. In the morning, take bus number 315 back to Milford Haven or Haverfordwest to continue your trip back to Cardiff by train. 181 bus 315 thesanetravel.comP1205919Have an awesome journey!

Like it? Pin it!

PuffinsS

What did you think? Have you seen puffins on your travels? I’d love to hear from you so please add your comment below.

  • Published by Anita on July 01, 2022
  •  

    Author: Anita Sane

    Anita 03 18

    About the author
    Anita is a part-time traveller, passionate photographer and a retired career woman from Latvia, 
    travelling mostly solo for more than 15 years. She is a skilled travel planner who plans and executes her travels by herself. Anita wants to show you how to travel the world and open your mind to new experiences. Follow her on FacebookInstagramPinterestTwitter and Bloglovin.

     

    Gravatar
    Lots of helpful advice and great pictures. Thanks
    Gravatar
    Listen, I never knew about puffins before. I am so glad I came across your post. The seabird looks adorable. I would love to watch them in person one day.
    Gravatar
    Thank you for taking me on a lovely bird-watching journey in Whales! I love the walking and busing side of this trip. I hope to get to Whales one day.
    Gravatar
    Great post, I've always wanted to see puffins on Skomer Island! Thanks for sharing all your helpful tips, I'm definitely feeling inspired to book a trip there now.
    Gravatar
    Terri
    Your puffin photos are magnificent! Now I must visit Wales. Great article.
    Gravatar
    Puffin watching sounds like such a fun activity! They are such fascinating little creatures. Thanks for sharing this informative guide and your great photos!
    Gravatar
    Such an informative post with great tips! Also - LOVE all of your puffin photos, you captured some great ones!
    Gravatar
    Fiona Mai
    Love all your photos of these adorable puffins! Also, thank you for sharing valuable tips regarding visiting Skomer. I've been to Wales several times but not yet to this part of Pembrokeshire, and it definitely looks like an ideal place for my family and I to spend a short holiday.
    Gravatar
    Chantelle
    I would LOVE to see the puffins! So fun!
    Gravatar
    Julie
    Puffins are so cute! Thank you for this very informative post. I don't like driving and usually have to rely on public transportation when I travel. So I found this very helpful.
    Gravatar
    As a local, I would say that is a pretty fair assessment of how to get to Skomer by public transport. I would also hope that anyone visiting Skomer would also have time to visit a few more wildlife sites in Pembrokeshire - I guess I'd better write about some of them!

    Incidentally, in one of your photos, I first thought 'how come you included a photograph of my husband? But of course you didn't. It's just that the clothes and most of the camera gear were the same - as well as the colour and length of hair! And anyway, we haven't been to the islands since before the pandemic. Which also means we haven't been on the new boat. The old boat, the Dale Princess, took 50 passengers. This new one, the Dale Queen, is bigger, and takes more passengers.

    Gravatar
    Linda (LD Holland)
    We were sad we missed puffins on our visit to Iceland. We did see them in Newfoundland - but only from a distance. Great to know that if we add Skomer Island to our plans to visit Wales, we might actually get to see them close up. They are so adorable! And your pics show they are such characters too. Definitely worth planning a trip to the island.

    1000 Characters left


    Related Articles

    What to see in Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO heritage site, in a day

    DIY street art tour London

    One of seven man-made marvels of London: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

    Free Joomla templates by Ltheme