Island Wildlife Encounters in the UK

1. Alderney, Channel Islands

Alderney is a wildlife haven wrapped in quiet charm — from nesting gannets and puffins to roaming blonde hedgehogs found nowhere else in the UK. Its rugged cliffs, heathlands, and golden beaches make it a fantastic destination for nature-loving families and walkers.
• Best sightings: Gannets and puffins (April–July), blonde hedgehogs (year-round)
• Access: Flights from Southampton or Guernsey, or ferry from Guernsey (seasonal)
• Top tip: Take the Alderney Railway or Alderney Coast Path to reach the best bird hides and viewing spots

More information on things to do on Alderney here

2. Herm, Channel Islands

This car-free island is a gentle wildlife haven, where butterflies, seabirds, and marine life thrive along its quiet trails and beaches. Best explored on foot, Herm offers close encounters without the crowds, including the most southerly puffin colony.
• Best sightings: Seabirds (spring/summer), seals, butterflies and wildflowers
• Access: Passenger ferry from St Peter Port, Guernsey (20 mins)
• Top tip: Walk the full coastal loop for seal sightings and peaceful views over Sark and Jethou

More information on things to do on Herm

3. Wallasea Island, Essex

Once farmland, Wallasea has been transformed into a vast wetland paradise, part of the RSPB’s pioneering rewilding project. Its lagoons, saltmarshes, and mudflats are now alive with waders, raptors, and seasonal migrants.
• Best sightings: Avocets and spoonbills (spring/summer), marsh harriers, Brent geese (winter)
• Access: By car or bike, or ferry from Burnham-on-Crouch; no public transport directly to site
• Top tip: Bring binoculars and follow the sea wall trail — sightings are best near the Jubilee Marsh and at high tide

More information on things to do on Wallasea here

4. Farne Islands, Northumberland

A wildlife spectacle just off the Northumberland coast, the Farne Islands are famous for their puffins and one of the largest grey seal colonies in England.

• Highlights: Puffin colonies, seal pups in autumn, Arctic terns
• Access: Boat trips from Seahouses
• Top tip: Wear a hat — the terns can be feisty during nesting season!

More information on things to do on the Farne Islands here

5. Coquet Island, Northumberland

Just offshore from Amble, Coquet Island is a protected seabird sanctuary famous for its rare roseate terns. Though public access to the island is restricted to protect wildlife, boat trips offer fantastic close-up views of puffins, terns, and seals basking on the rocks.

• Best sightings:Roseate terns (May-July), puffins and seals (spring/summer)
  • Access: Boat trips from Amble Harbour (no landing allowed)
  • Top tip: Choose a wildlife cruise during nesting season for the most action and bring a zoom lens or binoculars

6. South Stack, Anglesey, Wales

Not technically an island (it’s connected by a footbridge), but South Stack deserves a spot for its incredible seabird cliffs. Watch choughs, peregrines, and guillemots nest on towering rocks.

• Highlights: RSPB reserve, lighthouse views, accessible for all ages
• Access: Drive or bus from Holyhead; or walk from Breakwater Country Park – link to walk blog
• Top tip: Visit the RSPB centre for interactive exhibits

More information on things to do on Anglesey here

7. Skomer Island, Wales

Each spring and summer, Skomer comes alive with puffins — thousands of them nesting in burrows just feet from walking paths. It’s also home to seals, razorbills, and the elusive Manx shearwater.

• Best time to visit: April to July for puffins; autumn for seal pups
• Access: Boat from Martin’s Haven (weather dependent)
• Top tip: Numbers are capped — book your boat early!

More information on things to do on the Pembrokeshire Islands here visiting Skomer

8. Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides, Scotland

Mull is a hotspot for marine and birdlife. Spot white-tailed sea eagles soaring above, otters playing along the coast, and dolphins or whales on boat trips to nearby Staffa or the Treshnish Isles.

• Best sightings: Sea eagles (year-round), whales and dolphins (May–September)
• Access: Ferry from Oban
• Top tip: Book a wildlife boat tour to maximise sightings

More information on things to do on the Isle of Mull here

9. Isle of Noss, Shetland

Noss is a seabird sanctuary just off Shetland’s east coast, offering jaw-dropping cliffside views and one of the UK’s most spectacular wildlife spectacles. Thousands of gannets, puffins, guillemots, and fulmars nest here, and the island’s boat trips often include seals and porpoises too.
• Best sightings: Gannets and puffins (April–August), seals and porpoises (summer)
• Access: Boat from Lerwick to Bressay + seasonal inflatable boat to Noss (May–August)
• Top tip: Bring binoculars and walk the full cliff loop for the best views

10. Isle of May, Firth of Forth, Scotland

Close to Edinburgh, Isle of May is packed with puffins and seals, making it a great day trip for families or photographers. The island also has a historic lighthouse and dramatic cliff views.

• Best time: April to August for puffins; autumn for seals
• Access: Seasonal boat trips from Anstruther or North Berwick
• Top tip: Bring binoculars and a windproof jacket!

11. Bass Rock, Firth of Forth

Rising dramatically from the Firth of Forth, Bass Rock is home to the world’s largest colony of northern gannets. Though landing is restricted, boat trips from North Berwick offer incredible views of tens of thousands of birds circling its white-streaked cliffs — a true natural spectacle.
• Best sightings: Gannets (March–October), seals and other seabirds (spring/summer)
• Access: Boat tours from North Berwick (cruises or RIB trips – no public landing)
• Top tip: Visit the Scottish Seabird Centre before or after your trip to learn more and watch live feeds from the rock

12. Isle of Handa

Handa is a spectacular nature reserve famed for its towering sea cliffs and thriving seabird colonies. Managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the island is home to puffins, razorbills, great skuas, and guillemots — all best seen along its dramatic cliffside walking trail.
• Best sightings: Puffins (May–July), great skuas and guillemots (spring/summer)
• Access: Small passenger boat from Tarbet (April–September, weather dependent)
• Top tip: Bring sturdy shoes and binoculars — the 4-mile loop trail offers the best views and birdwatching opportunities

13. Unst, Shetland

Unst is a wild frontier of dramatic cliffs, rare Arctic flora, and incredible seabird colonies. As the UK’s northernmost inhabited island, it’s a hotspot for puffins, skuas, and even occasional orcas offshore. The Hermaness Nature Reserve offers one of Britain’s best coastal wildlife walks.
• Best sightings: Puffins (May–July), great skuas (summer), orcas (occasional – spring/summer)
• Access: Ferries from mainland Shetland via Yell (drive or bus from Lerwick)
• Top tip: Hike to the Hermaness cliffs for unforgettable views of Muckle Flugga and thousands of nesting seabirds

14. North Ronaldsay, Orkney

Britain’s most remote inhabited island is famous for its rare seaweed-eating sheep and rich birdlife. Flat, open, and windswept, it’s a hotspot for migrant species, shorebirds, and peaceful coastal walks.
• Best sightings: Waders and rare migrants (spring/autumn), seaweed-eating sheep (year-round)
• Access: Flights from Kirkwall or ferry (seasonal, long crossing)
• Top tip: Visit the bird observatory during migration season for expert-led sightings

More information on things to do in North Ronaldsay here

15. South Uist, Outer Hebrides

A vast and varied island of mountains, machair, and lochs, South Uist is a paradise for birds and otters. Its west coast is lined with wildflower-strewn dunes, ideal for breeding waders and corncrakes.
• Best sightings: Corncrakes (May–July), hen harriers, otters
• Access: Ferry from Oban or Barra; causeway links to Benbecula
• Top tip: Explore the machair at dawn for your best chance of hearing a corncrake

More information on things to do in South Uist here

16. Eriskay, Outer Hebrides

Tiny but teeming with life, Eriskay is known for its pristine beaches, wild ponies, and marine visitors. Watch for otters along the shore and dolphins playing in the Sound of Barra.
• Best sightings: Eriskay ponies (year-round), otters, dolphins (spring–autumn)
• Access: Bus or drive across the causeway from South Uist; ferry from Barra
• Top tip: Take the coastal walk from the ferry slipway for panoramic views and wildlife spotting

More information on things to do in Eriskay here

17. Isle of Jura, Scotland

A wild, whisky-scented island with more red deer than people, Jura is ideal for spotting large mammals and birds of prey. Its rugged landscape is home to golden eagles, otters, and remote hiking trails.
• Best sightings: Red deer (year-round), golden eagles, otters
• Access: Ferry from Islay; passenger ferry from Tayvallich (summer only)
• Top tip: Visit early or late in the day when deer and otters are most active near the shore