Where Can I see Puffins in the UK (by a wildlife photographer)
I’ve photographed over 350 species of bird around the UK, but puffins are my favourite subjects by far.
Puffins are among the most captivating seabirds in the world. With their colourful beaks and expressive faces, it’s no wonder so many people want to see them in person. But where can you see puffins in the UK?
Fortunately, these charming birds return to the UK’s shores each summer to breed. Arriving in April, they nest in burrows, raising a single chick—called a puffling—before heading back out to sea in late July.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Where can I see puffins in the UK?” this guide lists the best locations across the country to spot them in their natural habitat.
This post will detail 10 places where nature lovers can go to see puffins in the UK.
Where Can I see Puffins in Scotland?
Hermaness Nature Reserve – Unst, Shetland
Situated at the northernmost tip of the UK, Hermaness Nature Reserve on Unst is a haven for seabirds. Here, you can see puffins alongside fulmars, gannets, guillemots, and shags. The great skua (known locally as bonxies) also nests here, so be prepared for their dramatic dive-bombing defence tactics.
Hermaness is accessible via two interisland ferries from the Shetland mainland, and visitors can even park overnight at the reserve.
Places to Stay on Shetland when Puffin Watching
Isle of May, Fife
The Isle of May is a great location to watch puffins on Scotland’s East coast. The island lies in the Firth of Forth and is home to a massive colony of 250,000 seabirds, including 46,000 puffins.
Visitors can access the island by ferry from Anstruther on the north coast of the Firth, or from Dunbar or North Berwick to the south.
Be aware that because of the recent Avian flu epidemic, quarantine protocols are in place for visitors. All boots must be clean of mud, and disinfectant foot baths are in use. The awful disease decimated seabirds around the UK’s coastline; therefore, we must take every precaution.
Lunga, Treshnish Isles
The Treshnish Isles are a group of eight islands in the Hebridean archipelago. All are uninhabited, which makes them very attractive to breeding seabirds. The largest, Lunga, only covers about 80 hectares, but still hosts tens of thousands of seabirds, including puffins.
Because the puffin views are so good, the National Trust for Scotland warns visitors to stay at least 2m away!
The boat trip to the Treshnish Isles offers other spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities. Basking sharks, whales and white-tailed sea eagles are all possible.
Fair Isle, Shetland
Fair Isle is a legendary bird watching spot, with an astounding record of rarities seen on the island. Located midway between the Orkney and Shetland Islands, it is quite inaccessible to the casual puffin spotter. The Good Shepherd ferry takes 12 passengers 3 times a week, and a small plane flies daily from Shetland. A twice weekly flight runs from Orkney.
Visitors can join the 45 permanent residents and 20,000 puffins, and stay at the Fair Isle Bird Observatory. Note that this is closed at the time of writing, because of a fire, but scheduled to reopen in late Spring 2025). Auld Haa guest house, on the south of the island, also has 2 rooms.
Once on the island, puffins are easily available. You’ll probably be able to see them from your bedroom window. The Bird Observatory, when operating fully, offers a range of free activities for guests, including walks and talks.
The Bird Observatory talks target serious bird watchers, focusing on Fair Isle’s many rare birds, rather than casual tourists primarily interested in puffins. TBH, you probably won’t have made the effort to get to Fair Isle if you only want to see puffins.
Where can I see Puffins in England, UK?
Farne Islands, Northumberland
The Farne Islands are one of the best places to see puffins in England. The best way to access the islands is by one of the boat trips which leave from Seahouses.
Run by the National Trust, the Farne Islands have had a troubled few years. Closed to the public because of an outbreak of bird flu, Inner Farne is now open again and affords visitors with point blank views of puffins.
As well as puffins, the other specialty of Inner Farne is the breeding colony of Arctic Terns. These nest close to the paths to gain human protection from gulls. They are, however, fiercely territorial and will protect their nests from perceived threats. They do this by pooing on visitors or even dive bombing them and pecking at their heads. Wear a hat!
RSPB Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire
Bempton Cliffs reserve is the only place on mainland England to see puffins. This flagship RSPB reserve allows visitors to stroll along the clifftop viewing the tens of thousands of seabirds which make their home there.
The clifftops have viewing platforms offering excellent views of the puffins, razorbills and guillemots which nest there. Expert volunteers man these platforms to help visitors identify the birds on show.
Another option for puffin watchers is to join a bird watching cruise. Operators run boat trips from nearby Bridlington, which get right under the cliffs and give close-up views of the birds.
Other specialties of the reserve are tree sparrows, peregrine falcons and gannets. The reserve has even seen an albatross take up summer residence. “Albert” the black-browed albatross visited the cliffs regularly for a few years.
The entire area of Bempton and Flamborough Head is a paradise for birdwatchers. Bridlington is a great place to base yourself to explore the area.
Places to Stay in Bridlington When Puffin Watching
Lundy Island
Lundy Island, in the Bristol Channel, is a fantastic place to see puffins and other nesting seabirds. In fact, the name Lundy is old Norse for Puffin Island.
Most visitors get to the island on its supply ship, the MS Oldenburg. This departs from Ilfracombe and Biddeford on different days, so check the timetable. The service caters for day trippers or visitors can stay over at one of 23 cottages, varying in size from one bed to fourteen. Camping is also available. The rooms have been repurposed from original buildings, including a lighthouse and a 13th-century castle.
The best places to see puffins on Lundy are at Jenny’s Cove and St. Philip’s Stone, both on the west coast of the island. The island covers 3 miles by a mile and is perfect for walking. Explore the island’s strangely named landmarks like Mermaid’s Hole, Devil’s Slide and Dead Cow Point.
Where can I See Puffins in Wales, UK?
Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire
Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, provides unparalleled closeup puffin viewing. I once carried a big 600mm lens and camera up the cliff path, only for a puffin to walk between the legs of my tripod.
Boats leave from Martins Haven with a car park 5 minutes from the embarkation point. The boat trip takes about 20 minutes, but the waters can be rough in this area, so check on the day that boats are running.
The island is also an internationally important breeding site for Manx Shearwaters. Other highlights include Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes, seals and a herd of red deer.
Overnight stays on the island are possible. However, you must book these in advance. Accommodation is very limited and very popular.
Ynys Lawd, (South Stack), Anglesey
The RSPB reserve of Ynys Lawd (South Stack) on the Welsh island of Anglesey is a great place to see puffins when they arrive to breed. Ynys Lawd is a wonderful reserve with a mixture of habitats from rugged Anglesey heathland to the stark cliffs constantly battered by the Irish Sea.
The reserve has three trails requiring varying degrees of effort. Fortunately, the easiest is the puffin trail. Other bird species visible on the reserve are Chough, Peregrine, and Ravens. The seas around the cliffs may give up harbour porpoises, dolphins and seals.
Ynys Lawd has some interesting features other than puffins, including a lighthouse, an iron age fort, and a Roman watchtower.
Places to Stay on Anglesey when Watching Puffins
Where Can I See Puffins in Northern Ireland, UK?
Rathlin Island, County Antrim
Rathlin Island is probably the best puffin watching spot in Northern Ireland.
Accessibly by ferry from Ballycastle, a bus service runs from the drop-off point to the West Light Seabird Centre. From here, visitors have access to Northern Ireland’s largest seabird colony. As well as puffins, the cliffs abound with gannets, guillemots, razorbills and fulmar.
A variety of trails around the island give the chance of seeing wild hares, peregrines, and lapwings.
The island has a long history too. Humans first inhabited Rathlin as far back as 6000 years ago. It was the first Irish island to be conquered by the Vikings. Legend has it that Robert the Bruce had his famous encounter with a spider in a cave on the island, “If at first you don’t succeed, try again.”
It’s not known whether this related to him seeing puffins, but Rathlin is definitely a great answer to the question, “Where can I see puffins in the UK.”
The Ultimate Guide to Watching Puffins in the UK
When Can I see Puffins in the UK?
Puffins spend a large amount of time at sea. The full name for the puffins we see in the UK is the Atlantic Puffin. This name is well-earned as they spend most of the year in the storm-tossed ocean, far from land.
The only time to see puffins in the UK is when they come ashore to breed between late April and July.
What is a Baby Puffin Called?
Just when you thought these adorable birds couldn’t get any cuter, a baby puffin is called a puffling. That’s off the charts cuteness.
What do Puffins Eat?
Puffins eat small fish, like herring and hake, but their favourite food is the sand eel. They collect these on fishing expeditions and fly home with multiple eels in their multi-coloured beaks.
What Should I Take When Puffin Watching?
The chances are, you’ll have taken a boat trip to see puffins, so wear layered clothing to cover all options. Given the vagaries of the British weather, waterproofs are a must too. Puffin watching usually includes some walking on rough paths, so make sure you wear sturdy, comfortable footwear.
At most sites, you’ll need binoculars to get close-up views of these wonderful birds. However, at some locations, they can be very comfortable with humans and they’ll come within feet of you.
Take a camera! You won’t want to leave without hundreds of photos of these wonderful birds.
Where Can I see Puffins in the UK – Dos and Don’ts
Remember that these are wild birds and respect them as such. Don’t stroke them or get too close to them. Under no circumstances disturb their burrows. There will probably be a chick inside, and the stress caused could be fatal.
Many of the island sites are vermin free. Make sure your bags are securely closed before travelling. Rats getting onto these islands could be devastating to the birds.
Enjoy! We’re lucky enough to have one of the world’s most charismatic birds visiting our shores.
Conclusion
So, there we have it! The ultimate answer to, “Where can I see puffins in the UK.”
Take the opportunity this summer to go see the ‘sea parrots’ which visit our shores each year. Don’t forget to plan your trips because many sites have limited access.
Related Posts