Puffins on Inishmore?

We did not see any during our 3 days on Inishmore during July.

(We did see countless puffins -- up close and personal -- on Skellig Michael a week later. So if that's part of your trip I think you'll be pretty much guaranteed to see them there).

That's great intel! Thanks!

On two trips staying on Inishmore, I’ve never seen even a single puffin. The June 2011 trip included the Cliffs of Moher, and I didn't spot any there, either. On that 2011 trip, in the last week of June, I saw tons of them on Skellig Michael, as david describes.

Heimaey, an island in the Westman Islands of Iceland is supposed to be another big puffin location.

Again, great info! My next question is, is Skellig Michael doable for seniors in fairly good health? Seems like a steep climb from what I've read.

There’s a long, long “staircase” on a trail. You get off the boat that shuttles you to the island, and have a set amount of time to go as high as you can, or choose to go, before needing to turn back around and catch the boat for the mainland. In 2011, there was just a single stretch with a handrail - the steps are made from rocks and stone slabs.

If the seas are too choppy, the boats don’t sail. Even if the water is calm enough, it can still make the boats a little tippy at the docking site, and getting in or out of the boat could be the biggest challenge.

There’s a saddle about 2/3 of the way to the top, a relatively wide, green, open space. That’s where a lot of people ended their climb that day, rather than pushing for the monks’ beehive huts and church ruins at the top. The puffins were actually on the lower parts of the trail, flying and going in and out of their burrows close to the trail. Do you hike on the Grand Mesa? Any steep, stepped trails?

The climb up Skellig Michael is a bit demanding, but it's a pretty intense experience for a lot of reasons, with puffins all over the place, zooming right by your head, waddling by and disappearing down into holes...it's pretty surreal, and that can go a long way to distract you from your aching calves. Plus, the fear of certain death if you slip does tend to concentrate your attention on your footing, so the resulting adrenaline surge can give you a surprising energy boost. Expect to hear your heart pounding.

If your knees are serviceable, you'll make it. Bring hiking poles -- they can help steady you, and in a pinch you can use them to spear any puffins that are getting too close for comfort. (Just kidding about the spearing part...they'll stay out of your face). Once you see the place, you will find a way to get up all those stairs.

10 years ago I could hold my own on Grand Mesa, but doubt I could today. Would love to see a puffin close up but not sure enough to endure what you describe. Many thanks!

@jimokearns - Well, it's not a race. When I was there, there were no shortage of not-terribly-fit, slightly unsteady folks who still seemed to be doing OK making it up and down alright. And if do you want to get some serious facetime with puffins, you would be hard pressed to find a better place to do that. Yes, of course, one needs to take it seriously -- it would be easy to fall and that would be nasty -- but everyone we saw was taking their safety quite seriously.

The biggest challenge, I think, is getting to actually do the landing on the island -- depends on sea conditions on the morning of your trip (must book ahead to get a place), and no guarantees they will go, you find out the morning of your trip if its on or not. But if you do get the green light...oh boy, it's worth it.

Here are some photos I took that should give you an idea of what it's like, so you can decide if you are up for it...

The Climb Up Skellig Michael  (click any photo for a better view)

The rewards are evident. It's a very amazing place. Have a great trip either way.

@David What great photos! We would have loved to go there the last time we were in Ireland but the weather was not cooperating. I would want some hiking poles to do it now. The stairs going down look scary as I have a fear of heights and falling.

Those photos..,wow!!! I’ve been put off from going because of the possibility of bad weather forcing a cancellation. But now I’m desperate to get there.

Great photos, David! Love the puffins! However, my older sister, would be joining me, and I would have serious reservations about her making the trip. I may check out the Cliffs of Moher boat cruise as a possible puffin siting option. Really appreciate all the great feedback! I'm really impressed with the RS forum! Love that folks are so generous with their tips and experiences!