Puffin Watching in the UK: The Best Islands and When to Go

Puffins spend most of their lives far out at sea. They come to land only to breed, arriving on Britain's islands and cliffs in spring and leaving again by the end of July. For those few months they are among the most popular wildlife sights in the country, and on some islands you can sit within a few metres of them as they come and go from their burrows.

At a glance

When: roughly mid April to late July, best in May, June and early July. Where: islands off Wales, Northumberland and Scotland, and a few mainland cliffs. Cost: boat trips and landing fees vary. Book: early, especially for landing trips.

The best places

Skomer, Pembrokeshire

Skomer is probably the best place in Britain to see puffins up close: tens of thousands breed on the island, and they are famously unbothered by visitors on the paths. Boats run from Martin's Haven, near Marloes, from April to August, on most days except Mondays. Numbers on the island are limited each day, and the crossing depends on the sea, so check sailings and booking arrangements before you go. Stay nearby in St Davids or elsewhere in Pembrokeshire.

The Farne Islands, Northumberland

Boats leave from Seahouses harbour for the National Trust's Farne Islands, home to large colonies of puffins and other seabirds. Some trips land on Inner Farne, where you walk among nesting birds; others sail round the islands. Arctic terns nest by the paths and will dive at your head in defence of their nests, so wear a hat.

Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire

The RSPB reserve near Bridlington and Flamborough is one of the best mainland seabird sites in Britain, with huge numbers of gannets, guillemots and kittiwakes, and puffins in smaller numbers. No boat needed.

Scotland

The Isle of May, reached by boat from Anstruther in Fife, has a large puffin colony. Off Mull, boat trips to the Treshnish island of Lunga offer some of the closest puffin encounters in Britain. In Shetland, the cliffs at Sumburgh Head are an easy mainland viewpoint.

Timing a visit

Puffins come and go

Puffins arrive in April, but numbers ashore vary from day to day as they feed at sea. From late May, once chicks hatch, adults fly in with beaks full of small fish, which is the classic puffin photograph.

Do not leave it too late

By the end of July most puffins have left for the open sea. A trip in June or early July is the safest bet.

Practical notes

Island crossings are cancelled in rough weather, so allow a spare day. Take warm, waterproof clothes even in summer, and food and water, as most islands have no facilities. Seabird colonies are sensitive to disturbance and to bird flu, and access can change at short notice, so check before travelling.

For more, see our guides to wildlife staycations and UK island staycations.