  We construct optical beams in free space with robust skyrmionic structures in
their polarization fields, both in the electric spin vector for near-circular
fields and in the polarization direction for near-linear fields, and for both
Bloch (spiral) and N\'eel (hedgehog) textures. These structures are made
possible by the spin-orbit coupling of tightly-focused nonparaxial optics as
applied to higher-order Full-Poincar\'e beams, as well as by standing-wave
configurations comprising forwards- and backwards-propagating waves. Our
constructions show near-uniform circular and linear polarizations, providing a
high degree of topological protection in the absence of nonlinear interactions,
and they open the door to the use of topological light for the creation,
detection and manipulation of skyrmions in magnetic devices and spinor
condensates.
