Isle of May

The Isle of May, off Scotland's east coast, is a haven for birds, most notably the adorable and well-known puffin. You can take a boat from the fishing village of Anstruther in Fife's East Neuk to the island for a couple of hours of exploration. As an important National Nature Reserve, it's critical that you stick to the paths that circle the island, as puffins burrow underground to have their babies and can't be disturbed. From April to mid-August, 120,000 puffins call this island home, and you can get close enough to see them in great detail as they cling to the high cliff edges and duck and dive into the sea.

Because the island is only 1.5km long, you will have enough time to walk around it, relax for a bite to eat, and spend time watching and photographing the birds. There are large colonies of shags, guillemots, and razorbills, so your walk around the south of the island will be accompanied by a thunderous chorus of birdsong. On the May Princess, as you approach the island, you will see some of the island's 160 seals. If the seas are calm, the boat will circle the island, allowing you to see the spectacular scenery from the sea.

Location: Scotland