Join us on the island of Skomer for a three-day trip to photograph charismatic puffins and Manx shearwaters at the height of the breeding season.
The Atlantic puffin is one of the most photogenic seabirds, and Skomer is the perfect place to build a portfolio of images of this seabird. Spending three full days on the island (with two nights accommodation) allows us to escape the throng of day visitors and photograph these attractive birds without disturbance. The birds are particularly nonchalant about human presence and go about their daily business unconcerned, which provides a plethora of superb photographic opportunities.
As well seeing as puffins, there will also be a chance to witness the phenomenon of Manx shearwaters arriving as darkness falls. Around 70,000 birds arrive after sunset to find their breeding burrows, a magical experience that can only be experienced when overnighting on the island.
Read Wildlife Photographer Bret Charman's blog from a previous trip to photograph Skomer's puffins.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Ferry to Skomer; start photographing puffins
Meet at Martins Haven in time for a morning ferry to Skomer Island. After dropping our baggage at our accommodation and a briefing from the warden, we set off in search of puffins, which come and go along the cliff tops all day long as they return from fishing trips, providing a plethora of photographic opportunities. As the light starts to fade and day visitors return to the mainland the warm evening light is superb for photography. You can spend as much - or as little - time as you wish photographing birds, with your leader on hand to advise on technique and help whenever needed.
At the end of a busy day we can enjoy the wonderful spectacle of Manx shearwaters returning to their nesting burrows, before heading back to our accommodation for dinner and bed.
To make the most of your stay we recommend you join your leader on an early photo session as the puffins leave their burrows for another day’s fishing. As the first day visitors have yet to arrive, the photography is unhindered and the birds suffer minimum disturbance.
We can continue to photograph throughout the day, or alternatively just relax and enjoy this island escape.
In the afternoon and evening, we recommend you try varying styles using different techniques. However you wish to spend the evening – whether taking intimate portraits, in-flight shots, or puffins in the landscape – there should be opportunities to tick all the boxes. You can choose whether you want to watch the shearwaters again, or have an early night. Your leader will be around in the evening to discuss digital darkroom techniques.
Day3: Early morning puffin photography
On our last day on the island there is time in the morning to add further images to a growing portfolio. There will be an opportunity for another early start, for anyone who wishes, to try and optimise the soft morning light and the absence of day visitors.
After a final early morning session it is time to pack our bags for our departure and have breakfast. Later, we walk to the jetty with our bags where we board the ferry for the return trip to Martins Haven.
Key info
Duration and price excluding international flights: 3 daysfrom £825 pp
Trip type:
Group Tour
Group Size:
5–6
When to go: May-Jul
Group Departures: Please contact us for departure date details.
Ben is a published wildlife photographer with over 10 years experience, specialising in British mammals and birds.
Ben has been shortlisted in many high end competitions such as the British Wildlife Photography Awards and looks to further improve on this in the near future.
Ben has travelled to many countries from a young age including North and Central America, as well more widely in Europe. Ben's fascination for travelling helped fuel his passion for wildlife photography and couple with his infectious enthusiasm, he is an excellent young leader.
Emma is a popular and experienced wildlife photographer and tour guide, whose images have been printed in wildlife photography magazines.
Emma first entered the wildlife travel industry eight years ago, and now combines her role as a wildlife travel consultant with time in the field, leading wildlife photography trips. With a lifelong passion for travel and wildlife, she has a particular love for the smaller, often overlooked creatures of the world, specialising in macrophotography. She leads trips to a diverse range of destinations including Botswana, Bulgaria and Antarctica, and has travelled to all seven continents.
Much of Matt's early years were spent looking under rocks for creatures, and this passion for the natural world never faded. Family holidays were spent collecting scorpions and catching lizards!
Whilst studying wildlife management at college Matt did a work placement in Guatemala with sea turtles and this really sparked a love of travel that has since taken him to over 40 countries, always in pursuit of new wildlife and wild places to discover and photograph. He has worked as an ecologist for 15 years, specialising in reptiles and bats, but he really is a generalist naturalist who loves all lifeforms. Photography has become something of an obsession for Matt, and combining it with being in nature gives him great joy. He likes to photograph a diversity of subjects and landscapes and attempt to capture an element of mystery and magic in his images. Matt believes that exploring the wonders of the natural world is the most beautiful of things and a privilege to share with others.
Skomer Island - Ynys Sgomer in Welsh - is situated off the lovely Pembrokeshire coast, and is famed for its wildlife. Some 50% of the world population of Manx shearwaters nests here, and the colony of Atlantic puffins is the largest in southern Britain, while its one unique mammal - the Skomer vole - is endemic.
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Where: Wales
Ideal for viewing: Atlantic puffin, Manx shearwater, short-eared owl, Skomer vole, grey seal
The old farm buildings at the heart of Skomer Island have been thoroughly refurbished to provide simple hostel-style self-catering accommodation for visitors and researchers from April through until October - an overnight stay allows guests to explore in peace after day visitors have returned to the mainland.
Find Out More about The Old Farm
