Porpoise of Life Productions ltd

Skomer Island, off the coast of Pembrokeshire, is home to one of the UK’s most important puffin colonies, and one of its greatest conservation success stories. Strict limits on visitor numbers and access have helped protect vulnerable seabird habitats from invasive species, and the results are clear.

When I last visited in 2023, the population was estimated at around 42,000 individuals. In 2024, numbers broke records with 43,626 puffins counted. This is a remarkable increase for a species under pressure across much of its range.
Despite this success, puffins still face threats including rising sea temperatures, pollution, and declining stocks of sand eels, their favoured prey. Continued monitoring and marine protection remain vital.
To see puffins for yourself, boat trips run throughout the spring and summer – but you’ll need to book early, as places fill quickly.