Puffins in May

We saw puffins from the Moher boat trip from Doolin. It's not an "up close" experience like Skellig Michael, and I'm not sure a 4 year old would pick them out from among the swarm of seabirds. We've never walked the cliff, so I don't know if they nest along the trail. Hopefully someone else can chirp in.

There’s information about seeing puffins in Ireland here.

Another website says

"The puffins are challenging to spot here as they nest on Goat Island... not far from the Visitor Centre. Your best chance to see them is in the4 early morning or early evening. You’ll need binoculars and a long lens to spot them”

Delving deeper into Google, it seems that Goat Island is actually a sea stack and the puffins nest on the top of it...

Puffins nest in burrows so the chances of any burrowing on the top of the actual cliffs is zilch as there are just too many people. Anywhere they are nesting is probably much too dangerous for people to reach and see them...

During May-July the puffins on Skellig Island are right next to the stairway to the beehives. If you sit on a step, they will walk over to you and might walk onto your hand. My wife dropped a scrunchie (red elastic hair band) on the step by accident and a puffin ran over and grabbed it. The ranger said it would be the envy of the colony with such a prize.

Walking onto the grassy areas where they actually nest is a terrible idea as you not only disturb them, but you can crush their nesting cavities and eggs/young. There are also shearwaters using cavities and they are inside during daylight.

On the Moher boat trip, they are flying and fishing within perhaps 100 yards of the boat, with a mix of other species. Binoculars or good eyes required. On Rathlin Island, they have mostly retreated from the closer encounters due to rats and ferrets, but you can get a good look.

There is a lot more of that kind of up close contact in Scotland. We've seen them in Washington and Oregon, as well.

Wow @ jjgurley. I loved your story about the scunchy. I hadn't realized puffins were comfortable with people in that way or that they were collectors. I need to do some more research before our puffin excursions next month. Unfortunately, we will not be landing anywhere during our puffin viewing so that may need to be yet another trip.

We've only seen them on Skellig Michael. They were right next to us! An amazing experience but unfortunately I don't think young children are allowed (which makes sense having been there.) I have heard up in northern Co. Donegal you can see the puffins during their season but I have yet to see them there.
As for visiting the cliffs, you can drive to the visitors center and walk around from there. Lots of parking.
The seas can be rough heading out to the Aran Islands even in the summer. You might consider the puddle jumper plane instead. I have never flown there but my understanding from others on the forum is that is easy, fast and inexpensive. An idea if seasickness is an issue.

On the English Farne Islands the puffins are happy for people to be a few feet away from them. The terns will attack though.

A couple of years ago we booked Dingle Boat Tours’ rib boat ride out and around Blasket Island and saw the puffins along with dolphins and seals. But probably not a good idea unless you can take something beforehand.

Puffins are easily seen and plentiful at Westman Island in Iceland -- just a short walk from the overlook parking lot (late July/August) and not remotely phased by people. Highlight of the trip....have not managed seeing them in Ireland.