Skomer Island at a glance
Skomer lies off Martin's Haven in west Pembrokeshire. The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales looks after the island and its wildlife. You reach it by a short boat ride from Martin's Haven, and the ticket covers both the crossing and the landing. Each crossing takes about 15 minutes, and you get about 4.5 hours on the island.
The 2026 landing season runs from 1 April to 30 September, but not every day, so check your date before you book. Puffins are the main draw, but they are only on the island for part of that season, and nobody can promise a sighting.
Our pick: a boat trip around Ramsey Island
This trip does not go to Skomer and has no landing, so it is no substitute for a Skomer ticket. It is the nearest wildlife boat trip we can show for a day on the sea; puffins appear only in season and no sighting is guaranteed.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Skomer and island boat trips
Boat trips and wildlife tours around Skomer and the Pembrokeshire islands, with live prices and availability.
Skomer landing tickets and prices
2026 day prices before the booking fee.
| Ticket | 1 to 15 April | 16 April to 31 July | August to September |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult, 12 and over | £42 | £46 | £32 |
| Child, 2 to 11 | £30 | £30 | £24 |
| Toddler on an adult's lap | Free | Free | Free |
Booking adds a 6 percent fee, and even a toddler needs a ticket. Book online ahead. On the day, check in at Lockley Lodge 1 hour before departure. If the operator cancels, you get a refund. Otherwise the ticket is not refundable. For most visitors, a ticket from 16 April to 31 July suits a puffin visit, even though it costs the most.
Landings do not run every day. Check the date you want while you book.
When to see the puffins
Spring to early summer.
Puffins arrive in mid-April and are regular on the island from May to July. From mid-July they begin to leave, and by the end of July most are gone. A trip in August or September is not a puffin trip, though the ticket costs less.
The spring count in 2026 came to 52,019 puffins, up from 43,626 in 2025. The count covers birds on land, in the air and on the water, so it is not the number you will see on a given day. Check our Pembrokeshire weather page for the month that suits you.
Skomer Island boat trips and Martin's Haven
Getting to the quay and what to expect.
Parking at Martin's Haven
The National Trust car park charges £4 for up to 3 hours or £8 for a day for a car. Members, Blue Badge holders and motorbikes park free. Pay by coins or JustPark. Overnight stays and camping are not allowed.
By bus from St Davids
The Puffin Shuttle 400 runs daily from 23 May to 27 September 2026. The morning bus leaves St Davids New Street at 08:40 and reaches Martin's Haven at 10:10. The ride takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, so leave time for check-in before your boat.
Coast Path and coastal buses →On the island
Dogs are not allowed. The landing involves 87 steep steps, so it is not an easy trip for anyone who struggles with stairs. Pack water and layers, because the island is open to the weather.
Overnight stays
Individual hostel stays are still possible. Since 2026 there are no commercial overnight trips for groups.
Seals and other wildlife
Look, but keep your distance.
Seal pups are born on quiet beaches from August to November, and adults can be seen all year. Keep away from beaches with pups, and never touch, feed or swim with seals. From a boat, keep at least 20 m away, preferably 50 m, and never come between a mother and her pup.
For dolphins and porpoises, boats should stay under 5 knots and keep at least 50 m away unless the animals approach on their own. For other ways to see the coast from the water, see our boat trips page or browse all Pembrokeshire tours.
Questions about Skomer
Is a puffin sighting guaranteed?
No. Puffins arrive in mid-April, are regular from May to July and begin to leave in mid-July. The weather and the tide affect what you see on the day.
How much does a Skomer ticket cost in 2026?
An adult ticket costs £42 from 1 to 15 April, £46 from 16 April to 31 July and £32 in August and September. A child ticket costs £30, then £24 in August and September. Booking adds a 6 percent fee.
Where do I check in?
At Lockley Lodge, 1 hour before the boat leaves. Book online before you travel.
Can I bring my dog?
No, dogs are not allowed on the island.
Is Skomer suitable for people with limited mobility?
The landing has 87 steep steps, so plan carefully if stairs are hard for you.
Can I get there without a car?
Yes, from 23 May to 27 September 2026 the Puffin Shuttle 400 runs from St Davids to Martin's Haven. Check the times against your boat before you book.