Skellig Michael is one of the best places to see puffins in Ireland, and for a lot of people they’re the main reason to come. If you’re hoping to see them, here are ten things worth knowing before you go.
1. Timing matters
Puffins only come to Skellig Island for the summer. They usually arrive in April and stay until early August, and most have gone back out to sea by the middle of August. Outside those months you won’t see many.
Late May to July is the best time. That’s when they’re busy nesting and there are the most birds around.
2. It’s a boat trip out
Skellig Michael is about 12 kilometres (8 miles) off the coast of County Kerry. The trip out from Portmagee takes about 45 minutes each way, and the Atlantic can be rough. If you get seasick, take something before you get on, dress warmly and keep your eyes on the horizon.
The trip out is part of the day. You get good views of the coast, and you might see seals, dolphins and other seabirds on the way.
3. Landing is limited, so book early
Getting onto Skellig Michael is tightly controlled to protect the birds and the old monastery, which is why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Boats fill up in puffin season, so book your Skellig Michael boat tour early if you have fixed dates.
4. Puffins spend a lot of the day at sea
You’ll often see puffins sitting on the water around the Skelligs, and you can get a good look at them from the boat. When the boat gets close they tend to dive under, so keep your camera ready. Binoculars help too if you have them.
5. They’re fun to watch
You’ll see them standing up straight on the ledges, popping in and out of their burrows, and flying in low over the water. They’re not great at landing, and watching them come in is one of the best bits.
6. They’re very good divers
Puffins use their wings to swim underwater and their feet to steer. They dive down to catch small fish like sand eels and come back up quickly.
7. The beak changes colour
The bright orange beak is at its best in the breeding season. In winter the colour fades, which is why photos from spring and early summer look so bright.
8. They’re smaller than you’d think
An Atlantic puffin is only about 30 cm long. A lot of people expect them to be bigger, especially after seeing photos.
9. They come back to the same place
Puffins often return to the same burrow every year, and pairs tend to stay together from one season to the next. They usually raise one chick a year, which is why a good breeding season matters so much.
10. They need protecting
Puffin numbers have dropped in parts of the North Atlantic because of changes in fish stocks and sea temperatures. Skellig Michael and the area around it, including the gannet colony on Small Skellig, are protected to keep disturbance down while the birds are breeding.
What to bring
It’s usually colder on the water than on land, so bring layers and a waterproof jacket. Sun cream is worth bringing too, along with a camera with a zoom lens. Binoculars aren’t essential but they help.
Wear shoes with good grip for moving around the deck. Our tours don’t land, so you’ll be watching the puffins and other birds from the boat.
Planning your visit
Puffin season is short, so plan ahead. You can see what we offer on our boat tour page, and it’s best to book early if your dates are fixed.
The weather can cancel trips, so try to leave yourself a spare day in Kerry if you can.
Come between late spring and early summer, bring warm clothes and give the birds some space, and you’ve a very good chance of seeing plenty of puffins. We’ll look after the rest.