National park · United Kingdom
SkomerYnys Sgomer
Go only with a booked boat slot: Martin's Haven crossing 15–20 min, landing fee on top, 250 visitors a day, no boats on Mondays (except bank holidays), April–October.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
3 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (3 km²)
approximate
Established
1946
Best months
Apr–Jun
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
At a glance
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Area
- 3 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (3 km²)
- Roughly 3 km by 2 km of land; the surrounding sea is a statutory Marine Nature Reserve (check).
- Established
- 1946
- Best months
- Apr–Jun
- Permits
- For some areas
Skomer is a 3 by 2 km island about 1 km off the Pembrokeshire coast near Marloes, managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. It is a working seabird site first and a walk second: puffins in burrows from April to July, Manx shearwaters that only come ashore in darkness, and a cliff-edge path network with no roads. Visitor numbers are capped, boats run in a morning window and the island closes to day visitors on Mondays. Treat it as a booked half day, not a spontaneous stop.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1959National Nature Reserve; the island is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (check).
- Ramsar wetlandListed wetland of international importance for its seabird colonies (check).
Size and age
3 km² (1 sq mi)1 sq mi (3 km²) · national park since 1946
Roughly 3 km by 2 km of land; the surrounding sea is a statutory Marine Nature Reserve (check).
Why go
- Puffins at close range on the cliff paths in the breeding season, without a boat trip to a distant colony.
- A car-free island: tracks, heath and sea cliffs, and nothing else to do but walk and watch.
- The Manx shearwater night return, one of the loudest wildlife events in Britain, seen only by people staying overnight.
- Bluebell and red campion cover in May and June, plus Iron Age house remains and stone circles on the same walk.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanNo boats; island closed to day visitors
- FebNo boats; seabirds at sea
- MarNo boats; early arrivals only
- AprBoats start; puffins back on land; shearwaters from mid-month
- MayPeak puffins, bluebells; book ahead
- JunPuffins still present; campion in flower
- JulPuffins leave late in the month; chicks fledge
- AugFew puffins; shearwater chicks; boats weather-dependent
- SepQuieter; migrants passing; seals pupping later
- OctBoats wind down; crossings cancelled in rough weather
- NovNo boats
- DecNo boats
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PuffinsApr–Jul · Close views from the path; they leave the island late in July. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Manx shearwatersApr–Sep · At sea by day, ashore only at night; seen by overnight guests. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Razorbill, guillemot, chough and short-eared owlApr–Jul · Breeding birds on the cliffs. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Bluebells and red campionMay–Jun | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Seals, porpoises and dolphins offshoreApr–Oct · From the cliffs, with patience; keep your distance. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Rare migrant birdsApr–May, Sep–Oct · Spring and autumn passage. | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Martin's Haven
Boat from the mainland jetty, 15–20 min; sailings run daily except Monday (bank holiday Mondays excepted), April to October, in a morning window from about 10:00 to noon.Boat from the mainland jetty, 15–20 min; sailings run daily except Monday (bank holiday Mondays excepted), April to October, in a morning window from about 10:00 AM to noon.
15–20 min
From Marloes
Road or coast path to Martin's Haven, then the boat.
10 min by road
From Haverfordwest
Drive or bus towards Marloes and Martin's Haven; a car is the practical option for the early boat.
40–50 min
From Pembrokeshire
Where to base, what else to walk and how the coast path links up.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Landing jetty and steps | The only arrival point; steep steps climb from the water to the track. | Open to ticket holders. |
| The centre and Old Farm | Warden accommodation, the converted farm bunkhouse and the main track junction. | Open; farm is for booked guests. |
| Cliff path circuit | The loop around the island edge past the main seabird colonies and viewpoints. | Open; stay on the path. |
| The Neck | Eastern end beyond the warden's accommodation. | Out of bounds to visitors. |
Sketch map
- 1Martin's Haven jetty · Gate≈51.736, -5.314Mainland departure point; approximate.Map ↗
- 2Skomer landing jetty · Gate≈51.736, -5.303Approximate.Map ↗
- 3The Old Farm · Sleep≈51.738, -5.294Map ↗
- 4Cliff path viewpoint · Viewpoint≈51.734, -5.288Approximate; the path runs the island edge.Map ↗
- 5The Neck · Trail≈51.732, -5.278Closed to visitors; approximate.Map ↗
- 6Marloes · Town≈51.731, -5.194Nearest mainland village; approximate.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions on and around the island, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landing fee (Wildlife Trust) | Free | person | Charged on top of the boat fare; the Trust sets it by season — check the current rate before booking (check). |
| Return boat, Martin's Haven to Skomer | Free | person | Operator-set and seasonal; book online in advance (check). |
| Old Farm self-catering, per person per night | GBP 30–60 (≈ US$40–80) | person per night | 2026 estimate; varies by room and season, booked through the Wildlife Trust. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day visit slot permit or guide
Overnight stay permit or guide
Park rules
- Stay on the paths
- Puffin and shearwater burrows are in the ground beside the track; walking off-path can collapse them.
- The Neck is closed
- The eastern end beyond the warden's accommodation is out of bounds to visitors.
- No drones
- Not allowed over the seabird colonies; the island is a nature reserve (check).
- No dogs
- Not permitted on the island (check).
- No shops
- Bring everything you need; bottled water is the only thing sold on the island.
- Keep distance from seals and cetaceans
- Watch from the cliffs; do not approach animals in the water.
Where to stay
In the park
The Old Farm
Basic self-catering rooms in the converted farm at the centre of the island; two twin rooms, a triple, a family room and a five-bed room. Booked through the Wildlife Trust; including a Sunday night means you get the Monday, when there are no day visitors.
Near the park
Marloes and Martin's Haven
Closest mainland bases for the morning boat; limited accommodation, so book early.
Near the park
Haverfordwest
Larger town with more beds and services, about 40–50 min from the jetty.
Safety
Steep steps and cliff edges medium
Weather cancelling boats medium
No facilities or shelter low
Mobile signal and internet low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The jetty steps and rough tracks make most of the island unsuitable for wheelchairs and limited mobility.
- There is no road, no vehicle access and no step-free route from the landing point.
- The boat crossing itself is short but can be rough; ask the operator about boarding assistance.
Visiting lightly
- Book through the Wildlife Trust so landing fees fund the reserve and its wardens.
- Keep to the path: burrows underfoot are the colony.
- Take all rubbish back to the mainland; nothing is collected on the island.
- Do not use playback or torches to draw out shearwaters at night; watch quietly from the paths.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Skomer?
There is no single published entry price: you pay a return boat fare from Martin's Haven plus a landing fee set by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, which varies by season. Both are booked together online in advance. Check the current rates on the Wildlife Trust's Skomer page before you book, and note that the landing fee is separate from the boat fare.
What are the best hikes in Skomer?
The cliff path circuit is the main walk: a 3–4 hour loop around the island edge past the seabird colonies, rough in places with steep steps at the jetty. Shorter options are the walk from the landing to the Old Farm and out to the nearest puffin burrows, and the flower walk over the heath in May and June. The Neck, at the eastern end, is out of bounds.
When is the best time to visit Skomer?
April to July for puffins, with May and June best for both birds and flowers. Boats run April to October, daily except Mondays (bank holiday Mondays excepted), in a morning window from about 10:00 to noon. Manx shearwaters need an overnight stay, as they come ashore only after dark.
Do I need to book Skomer in advance?
Yes. Visitor numbers are capped at about 250 a day and the Trust introduced a booking system in 2020. Book online before you travel, especially for May and June weekends, and expect crossings to be cancelled in rough weather.
Can I stay overnight on Skomer?
Yes, at the Old Farm, a basic self-catering bunkhouse in the centre of the island booked through the Wildlife Trust. It is the only way to see the Manx shearwater night return. Including a Sunday night is worthwhile because there are no day visitors on Mondays.
Is there anywhere to eat or buy supplies on Skomer?
No. There are no shops or cafés; bottled water is the only thing sold. Bring food, water and waterproofs for the whole visit.
How do I get to Skomer?
Boats leave from Martin's Haven on the Pembrokeshire coast near Marloes, a 15–20 minute crossing. Most visitors drive to Martin's Haven; from Haverfordwest it is about 40–50 minutes by road.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go