Stories from Kayak King
Skomer Island: a sea kayaking adventure
A five o’clock start, breakfast from Tupperware tubs and a sea as calm as glass. Some days on the Pembrokeshire coast stay with you long after the paddles are put away.
From the Kayak King archive. This is a personal sea kayaking adventure from our past. Our beginner tours run from Fishguard and do not visit Skomer Island.
An early start at Martin’s Haven
We set off as the sun rose over the horizon. The early light was beautiful, the water was quiet and we were in high spirits. With a whole day ahead of us, it felt like the perfect beginning to an adventure.
Across Jack Sound
Between Skomer and the mainland lies Jack Sound, a stretch of water known for its strong tidal streams, reefs and demanding conditions. On this occasion our carefully timed crossing was calm.
That peaceful appearance should never be mistaken for an easy route. This was a trip for experienced sea kayakers, planned around the tides and conditions.
A different view of the island
Skomer is famous for its puffins, but the island has much more to offer. From the water we watched razorbills and guillemots, enjoyed the shape of the cliffs and took in a coastline full of life.
Seeing it from a kayak made the day feel wonderfully unhurried. There was time to notice the birds, the changing light and the details that are easy to miss when you are moving quickly.
An unforgettable seal encounter
The most surprising part of the day came when a curious grey seal swam alongside us. At one point Libby said her kayak felt heavy: the seal was beneath the hull. We stopped paddling and watched before moving away when the encounter became too close.
It was an unusual moment from an old story, not something to seek out or repeat. Seals are wild animals. We do not approach, touch or feed them, and we give them room to carry on undisturbed.
For today’s wildlife guidance, follow the Pembrokeshire Marine Code and the island’s current visitor advice.