Puffin Island lies to the northeast of Trwyn Penmon (Penmon headland), approximately half a mile offshore. The area’s stunning scenery and wildlife can be appreciated from its comprehensive public right of way network. The Anglesey Coastal Path follows the coastline from Penmon village and Caim, taking in the historical sites of Penmon Church and Priory, the 400-year-old dovecote and the impressive deer park.

Puffin Island is not accessible to the public without the permission of the landowner, however there are boat trips around the island during the summer months from nearby Beaumaris. The whole area is very important for sea birds and waders, and Puffin Island has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and a Special Protection Area (SPA). It has a large sea bird colony, with considerable numbers of adults returning in the spring to breed. The dominant species include razorbills, shag, guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars, herring gulls, lesser black-backed gulls, and great black-backed gulls.

The area is of European importance for its breeding population of cormorant and is also an important roosting area for oystercatchers. Puffins were once common on the island, although they are today quite scarce. On the occasions when they breed here, they lay their eggs in cracks between the rocks, as the island’s craggy substrate prevents them from digging burrows in which to nest, as is their more common habit. The coast and rocky shore support many interesting and diverse marine communities, with a broad range of plants and animals, including seaweeds, lichen, molluscs, marine worms, sea squirts, sponges, crabs, anemones, and rock-boring animals. Grey seals can often be seen hauled out on the shore, and harbour porpoise can occasionally be spotted feeding in the tidal streams.