Skomer Island
Monk Haven Retreat is the perfect place to stay for those wishing to visit Skomer Island, as we are just a short drive away.
It couldn’t be easier to visit Skomer Island whilst staying in our accommodation.
Please be aware that there are NO SKOMER LANDINGS ON MONDAYS.
Visitors to Skomer invariably come for the wildlife and the abundance and variety of seabirds. The main season for Puffins is from May to the end of July. The puffins actually arrive in April, however they are often out fishing until the afternoon.
During Spring the island is a colourful affair with bluebells, mingled with pink campion and the White sea campion carpeting the ground on which the birds land. It becomes a fantastic vista, with swathes of colour as far as the eye can see.
During the Autumn Skomer is home to a large seal colony, as the breeding season begins and the seals have their pups.
Skomer is a world renowned seabird paradise, home to one of the largest breeding colonies of Puffins as well as the world’s largest colony of Manx Shearwaters. Skomer is an enchanting island of sheltered and exposed headlands, offshore rocks and shaded inlets just off the coast of Pembrokeshire.
Both Skomer and the nearby island of Skokholm are special areas of conservation, with the waters around Skomer being the only marine reserve in Wales. You can read more about these Islands on the Welsh Wildlife Website.
DAVID ATTENBOROUGH stayed with us
We had a very special visitor last Summer (2022) when David Attenborough and his film crew visited us twice while filming on Skomer Island for the new series Wild Isles .
He stayed here with his daughter and crew and actually filmed a small sequence for the series in our gardens.
What an honour!
Getting to the Island
The island is within easy reach of the mainland. The ferry leaves the embarkation point at Martins Haven (a 5/10 minute drive from Monk Haven) from 10am, 11 am and noon every day (except Mondays).
You have to order and pay for the boat crossing and landing fee online – www.pembrokeshire-islands.co.uk
The Boat trip to the island takes approximately 15 minutes and you will be told the time of your return trip. Usually you will have around 5 hours on the island to enjoy the spectacular experience of various nesting birds and wildlife.
(Please note that the island is very exposed. There is no shelter apart from the farmhouse, not even a tree. It is very easy to get wind and sun burn so ensure you take sunscreen with you and a hat).
The only facilities on the island are toilets by the old farmhouse . There are no cafes etc. so you will need to bring a packed lunch and drinks, including water, with you. We would be more than happy to provide you with a lovely packed lunch from the Monk Haven kitchen.
As well as providing the boat for your trip over to Skomer, the Dale Sailing Company also offer round-the-island cruises each day, a wonderful way to see the wildlife of this special island. They also offer evening cruises on certain days of the week. For more information on this please look at their website.
Simply Stunning
Pembrokeshire, well known for it’s sweeping sands and rustic award winning coastline has something for everyone.
Whether you are looking for a breath taking walk, an adventorous get-a-way with activities galore or a simple relaxing break we can help.