Puffins in Ireland: The Complete Guide to When and Where to See Them
Ever since I was a kid reading Puffin paperbacks, I’ve loved that crazy looking bird. The Atlantic puffin is a funky cross visually, at least between a colourful toucan and a dapper little penguin. In Ireland, puffins (members of the auk family) ride out the harshest Atlantic conditions and, when they come ashore to breed, they’re fascinating to see up close at a respectful distance.
Check out my Northern Ireland Travel Tips Guide before you go
Where to see Puffins in Ireland
Cliffs of Moher (official conservation info: Cliffs of Moher seabirds via Clare County Council)
Skellig Islands & Blasket Islands (Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site see official listing at unesco.org)
Hornhead and Malin Head Donegal
Puffin Island (Oileán na gCánóg) Kerry (managed by BirdWatch Ireland)
Rathlin Island N. Ireland (RSPB West Light Seabird Centre) one of Northern Ireland’s many hidden gems
- Puffins in Ireland: The Complete Guide to When and Where to See Them
- Where to see Puffins in Ireland
- Atlantic Puffin Facts
- Puffin Sanctuary Ireland
- Where to find puffins in Ireland
- Puffins and Climate Change
- The best time to see puffins – when can you see puffins in Ireland?
- How to see puffins at Cliffs of Moher
- Seeing Puffins in Ireland from a boat
- Puffins in Howth
- Puffins at the Skelligs and Blasket Islands
- Donegal Puffins – Hornhead, Malin Head and Tory Island
- Puffin Island (Oileán na gCánóg) Kerry
- Puffins in Northern Ireland
- Puffins in Ireland at The Gobbins
- Wildlife‑friendly viewing tips
- Exploring the fascinating regions of Ireland
Atlantic Puffin Facts
The Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) has orange webbed feet with sharp claws, stands about 20 cm tall, and has a wingspan up to ~63 cm. Their bright bills broaden and become more colourful during the breeding season. Around Ireland, puffins feed mainly on sandeels and small fish such as sprat and herring. See species profiles at BirdWatch Ireland and the RSPB.
Puffins’ plumage is black and white, and their multicoloured bill sports a blue base with orange and yellow plates. Fun fact: under UV light, parts of the bill fluoresce documented in peer‑reviewed research.
The puffin is the provincial bird of Newfoundland and Labrador. Most Atlantic puffins breed in Iceland (around 60% of the global population), with important colonies in Ireland, the UK, Norway, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland. Global status: Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Puffins belong to the auk family. The great auk once widespread was flightless and is now extinct. Other Irish auks include the little auk, common guillemot, black guillemot, and razorbill, many nesting alongside puffins on sea cliffs and stacks.
Puffin Sanctuary Ireland
Key Irish puffin strongholds include offshore islands such as Skellig Michael, the Blaskets, and protected cliff systems like the Cliffs of Moher and Loop Head. In Northern Ireland, the RSPB West Light Seabird Centre on Rathlin Island is a flagship site. Always follow local protection guidelines.
Atlantic puffins spend most of the year at sea and come ashore to breed on rocky cliffs and islands from spring into late summer, feeding chicks largely on sandeels and sprat.
Where to find puffins in Ireland
In Ireland, puffins breed mainly on the west coast with a few colonies on the east (notably Ireland’s Eye). They favour sea cliffs and stacks where ground predators are scarce. They nest in burrows often repurposed rabbit holes.
Puffins can live 20–30 years. They typically start breeding around age five and lay a single egg, which hatches after 40 days of incubation.
Pufflings remain in the burrow for roughly six weeks before fledging at night and heading out to sea.
Pairs are generally faithful to their burrow and often to each other, returning year after year. Courtship includes “billing,” where they rub beaks; both parents share incubation and feeding duties. For more behaviour notes, see the RSPB puffin guide.
Puffins and Climate Change
Puffin populations are declining in parts of their range. Warming seas and shifting prey (especially sandeels) reduce food for adults and chicks. The species was uplisted to Vulnerable by the IUCN in 2015. Conservation advice: BirdWatch Ireland.
As sea temperatures rise, key forage fish move or decline, leaving puffins with fewer high‑energy meals for their pufflings.
The best time to see puffins – when can you see puffins in Ireland?
Puffins return to nesting areas from late March into April. Peak viewing is typically May–July when adults are commuting with bills full of fish. By mid‑August most have departed. Always check local updates, as timing varies by colony and year.
How to see puffins at Cliffs of Moher
At the Cliffs of Moher, you can spot breeding puffins in season among tens of thousands of seabirds. Look from the main viewpoints or consider a sea cruise to view ledges hidden from the clifftops. See official seabird info at the Cliffs of Moher site.
Entry to the Cliffs visitor experience is ticketed; prices and inclusions change, so check the official site for current rates. O’Brien’s Tower access is an additional charge when open. Parking is included with standard tickets.
Alternatively, Guerin’s Path offers access about 1 km from the visitor centre for a separate fee.
If you fancy a hike, park in nearby Liscannor or Doolin and follow the marked coastal paths. At Nag’s Head (the southern end), there’s a small car park with an honesty box; from there it’s a 15–20 minute walk to the cliff edge.
The Loop Head Peninsula near Kilkee is a phenomenal drive and walk. Puffins are regularly seen in season, particularly near the Bridges of Ross. Bring a long lens if you’re shooting from clifftops; boat trips usually offer closer views of ledges.
Seeing Puffins in Ireland from a boat
This is often the best way to see puffins without approaching nesting areas on foot. Choose licensed operators who follow wildlife guidelines and keep safe distances.
From Doolin, seasonal cruises run beneath the Cliffs of Moher; prices vary by operator and season check current schedules and conditions.
In Northern Ireland, look for seabird boat tours serving Rathlin and the Causeway Coast (availability varies with weather and season).
Puffins in Howth
If you’re not visiting the Wild Atlantic Way or Northern Ireland, take a short boat trip from Howth near Dublin to reach Ireland’s Eye.
Ireland’s Eye
Ireland’s Eye sits just off Dublin’s northside. A 15‑minute boat ride from Howth gets you to a small, mostly wild island with nesting seabirds including puffins in season.
The only signs of settlement are a Martello tower and church ruins. It’s one of the few east‑coast places to see puffins.
Access is by small boat from Howth’s West Pier in summer. Landings are typically on the north side near the Martello tower. Paths can be rough, wet, and slippery wear good footwear and keep a respectful distance from burrows and cliff edges. Some of the better viewing spots are behind the Martello tower.
Puffins at the Skelligs and Blasket Islands
The Skelligs and Blasket Islands are key breeding grounds. Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to puffins and an early monastic settlement and a famous Star Wars filming location.
Filming raised conservation concerns; production schedules were arranged to minimise disturbance, and puffins visible on camera were transformed into “porgs” in post‑production.
Puffins arrive on the Skelligs from mid‑April and have mostly left by mid‑August. Weather and sea conditions are often rough; cancellations are common.
The best way to see Skellig puffins is from a boat without landing. Landing permits for Skellig Michael are tightly controlled for conservation; scenic cruises are more widely available. Prices vary check licensed operators for current options. Some tours combine Skellig and Blasket routes and allow Blasket landings.
Eco‑style tours circle Skellig Michael and Little Skellig for close views of seabird colonies and the monastic site (from the water). The Skelligs make a memorable side trip on the Ring of Kerry.
Saltee Island Wexford
The Saltee Islands lie 5 km off Kilmore Quay, County Wexford. Great Saltee is one of Ireland’s best‑known bird sanctuaries and a favourite with day‑trippers and birders.
This is not an island for the mobility‑challenged: landings are wet, rocks are slippery, and paths are unmarked. There are no facilities pack in, pack out.
Great Saltee is privately owned; day visitors are permitted during set hours (typically 11:00–16:30 confirm locally). Please respect the following:
* Please pay careful attention to the cliff areas as the ground is unsteady and may give way.
* Please remember you are in a remote location and help might be slow.
* No camping is allowed on the islands at any time. The lighting of fires is strictly forbidden.
* Please take with you any rubbish you might have as rare birds and rabbits could be harmed.
* The use of DRONES is strictly forbidden as it is intrusive and a danger to the birds.
* Dogs are not allowed on the Islands for obvious reasons.
Local boatmen operate seasonal landings from Kilmore Quay; prices vary enquire at the harbour.
Donegal Puffins – Hornhead, Malin Head and Tory Island
Tory Island puffins
Tory Island lies off the far northwest Donegal coast. Puffins nest on the northern cliffs. The island is designated a Special Protection Area (SPA) for seabirds.
Visiting Tory in spring and summer brings the cliffs alive with seabirds and a dose of island culture and folklore on the side. Ferries to Tory run from Magheroarty beach (seasonal schedules; check before travel). Across the bay from Dunfanaghy, Horn Head forms part of Sheephaven Bay.
Horn Head hosts one of Ireland’s largest mainland seabird colonies, including guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, and puffins. Scan the cliffs in calm weather. At Malin Head on the Inishowen Peninsula, coastal walks and headlands offer seasonal chances of puffins and other seabirds.
Puffin Island (Oileán na gCánóg) Kerry
Puffin Island (Oileán na gCánóg) off the County Kerry coast sits among several small uninhabited islands. It’s owned by BirdWatch Ireland and is a critical seabird sanctuary.
There’s no pier; landings involve scrambling over rocks and are tightly controlled. Access is by approved conservation visits only enquire via BirdWatch Ireland for current arrangements.
Puffins in Northern Ireland
Rathlin Island, N. Ireland
Rathlin Island lies six miles off the Causeway Coast and is accessible by ferry from Ballycastle. It’s home to one of the UK’s great seabird colonies, including puffins in season.
Ferries take 20–40 minutes depending on the vessel; fares and timetables change check the operator’s site and book ahead in peak season. Parking is available in Ballycastle. On arrival, seasonal transport runs to the RSPB West Light Seabird Centre on the island’s west side. Allow time for the cliff‑top walkways and the “upside‑down” lighthouse. Check bus schedules so you can make your return ferry.
From the Seabird Centre, there are 200+ steps down to viewing platforms by the “upside‑down” lighthouse challenging if you have mobility issues. Opening hours and admission change seasonally see the RSPB site for current details. The site links with the Rathlin Trail.
Puffins in Ireland at The Gobbins
Puffins also nest along sections of The Gobbins cliffs on the County Antrim coast. Path works were designed to minimise disturbance to wildlife.
The Gobbins Coastal Path must be booked in advance. Wear proper gear (boots with good tread and ankle support). It’s strenuous and unsuitable for many with mobility limitations.
Expect roughly 3 miles of narrow path, steep gradients (up to 1:4), and many uneven steps about the equivalent of 50 flights of stairs.Ticket prices change check the official site for current rates and requirements.
Wildlife‑friendly viewing tips
- Stay on marked paths and keep well back from cliff edges and burrows.
- Use a long lens; never approach nests for a closer photo.
- Drones are prohibited at most colonies (and always a bad idea near seabirds).
- Keep dogs away from seabird sites.
Those are the most reliable places to find Atlantic puffins across Ireland. Have you managed to spot any yet?
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