About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
Key Facts
Location: Pembrokeshire
Size: 292ha
Highpoint: 79m
Access: Skomer boat trips
Map: OS Explorer OL36
Departure point: Skomer Island ferry, Martin’s Haven, SA62 3BJ. What3Words bucked.inherits.tall. Grid ref. SM 7603 0913
Only one kilometre off the coast of Pembrokeshire this is an island of exposed headlands, dramatic sea stacks, and sheltered bays that is famed for its extraordinary wildlife. It is the seasonal home to half the world’s population of Manx shearwaters and the largest colony of Atlantic puffin in southern Britain. It is also home to the unique Skomer vole, three species of stick insect, glow-worms and slow-worms with plenty of offshore life that includes dolphins and porpoise, which are often spotted on the boat trip across Jack Sound, along with good views of Midland Isle.
Top things to do on Skomer Island:
- Walk around Skomer Island
- Stay overnight on Skomer Island to watch the Manx shearwaters
- Enjoy the springtime bluebell extravaganza
- Puffins Skomer Island
Best time to visit Skomer Island
Skomer Island is open to visitors April until end of September. Skomer Island puffins are on the island from April until August. The best time to see them is generally from mid-June to mid-July. To catch the iconic shot of puffins with sand eels in their beaks visit when the chicks have hatched and the parents are feeding them – generally towards the end of June. The Skomer Island bluebells are at their best from the end of May to early June.
How to get to Skomer Island
Skomer Island boat trips and very popular, particularly during key sea bird nesting season. The Skomer Island boat sails from Martin’s Haven every day (weather dependent) except Monday from end March to end September.
https://www.welshwildlife.org/skomer-island-day-trips . Parking is available at the Martin’s Haven National Trust carpark (charges for non-members).
Making the short hop from the mainland, the Dale Princess crosses the swirling waters of Jack’s Sound, passing striking offshore rock formations and sheltered coves. You’ll see diving gannets and rafts of puffins, as well as dolphins and porpoises. It is a tantalizing taste of what’s to come.
The Skomer Island Boat timetable
The Skomer Island Boat leaves Martin’s Haven every 30 minutes from 1000 – 1200 every day. Online pre-booking is essential. On the day of the trip you’ll need to check-in an hour before you depart. In adverse weather you’ll be notified of trip cancellations via email, usually around 7am on the day.
Skomer Island Accommodation
Overnight self-catering accommodation in the island’s Old Farm with a communal kitchen and lovely cosy lounge with log burner and island library. Guests are offered a nightly bird log and talks from conservation experts. Booking is essential, and usually needs to be booked well in advance. Book Skomer Island accommodation here. https://www.welshwildlife.org/skomer-island-hostel-booking
Accommodation near Skomer Island can be found in Little Haven, Broad Haven and St Ishmaels.
Food on Skomer Island
There is no café or shop on Skomer, so this is definitely an island to bring a picnic. Drinking water is not available on the island so bring plenty (bottled water can be purchased from the Visitor Centre in St Martins). There are several compost toilets on Skomer at the Farm.
Skomer Island Dogs
Dogs are not permitted on Skomer Island, or on the boat trips to the island.
About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
Key Facts
- Location: Pembrokeshire
- Size: 292 hectares
- Terrain: Grass paths; beware of Manx shearwater and puffin burrows
- Access: Skomer Island boat trip
- Height gain: 188 metres
- Map: OS Explorer OL36
- Starting point: Jetty, North Haven. Lat/Long 51.737663, -5.281560. GR SM 73524 09426
Wildlife on Skomer Island is one of its key draws, along with it being one of the best places to see puffins in the UK. It is also home to half the world’s population of Manx shearwaters and the extraordinary nightly nature spectacle of thousands of these birds returning to their burrows after a night fishing. A coastal walk around Skomer Island is a wonderful way to experience it all.
Highlights of Skomer Island
-
- Stay over to experience the Manx shearwater spectacle after dark
- Seashore foraging with the wardens
- Watch the seal pups on The Garland Stone
- Watch the swirling, noisy bird colonies of The Wick
- Go bug hunting for glow worms
Skomer Island walk route
From Skomer Island jetty, walk up the steps and steep track for an initial briefing by the wardens. Leave their hut and walk along the stone track past the island office and The Neck. After 250m or so, at a small crossroads in the bracken, turn L along the smaller path following signs to The Wick.
Cross the small footbridge and V-shaped gully of South Stream and after 200m, turn L at the junction signed ‘Wick Head, Skomer Head and The Farm’ then follow signs to the Mew Stone.
At the Mew Stone viewpoint continue along the path and follow signs to The Wick. Just before the The Wick a roped walkway protects the bird burrows and the extensive rock strata of the cove come into view. Find the ruins of the Iron Age village slightly inland. Continue to follow signs to Skomer Head and the Garland Stone, passing The Basin cove on the way.
Scramble onto the rocks of Skomer Head for great views back to the Mew Stone, The Wick, and The Basin, and to watch the gannets dive. Retrace your steps back to the main path and continue north, following signs for the Garland Stone.
Almost opposite the Garland Stone, turn R inland towards the farmhouse, passing ancient stone cairns. After 700m or so, a wooden walkway bypasses the boggy areas of North Stream.
Walk through the Farm House complex and leave it by the first path on L, following the sign to ‘North Haven and Boat’. Pass the trig point on R and descend through the bracken, with views across to the industrial complex of Milford Haven. Pass Harold’s Stone and the lime kiln close by as you return to the jetty.
Activities on Skomer Island
Best things to do on Skomer Island
Nestled off the stunning Pembrokeshire coast of Wales, Skomer Island captivates with its windswept cliffs, [...]
Apr
