All our boat tours
Choose your Skellig boat trip
We run boat trips from Portmagee, County Kerry, to the Skellig Islands. You can sail around both islands, land on Skellig Michael, or go out to see puffins, seals and whales. Details for each trip are below, including times, ages and prices.
Skellig Islands boat tour
We sail around Skellig Michael and Little Skellig without landing, so there is no climbing and all ages can come. You see the monastery from the sea and pass close to the gannet colony on Little Skellig. Read more about the Skellig Islands boat tour.
All ages. About 2.5 to 3 hours. April to October.
Skellig Michael landing tour
You land on Skellig Michael and climb 618 stone steps to the monastery, with about 2.5 hours on the island. The steps are steep and have no handrails, so you need good fitness. Read more about the Skellig Michael landing tour.
Age 14 and over only. About 5 to 6 hours in total. Mid-May to the end of September.
Private charter
Hire your own boat and skipper for your group so you can choose the route and the pace. Good for families, small groups and photographers.
All ages. Route and pace to suit you.
Portmagee harbour tour
A short trip around Portmagee harbour and under the Valentia Island bridge. You may see seals and seabirds, and the skipper talks about local history.
All ages. About 1 hour.
Puffin Island and Kerry Cliffs
We sail past the Kerry Cliffs and around Puffin Island. Puffins nest there from April to August, and you may also see razorbills, guillemots, fulmars and grey seals.
All ages.
Skellig Coast whale watching
We look for minke whales, fin whales, dolphins and basking sharks in the waters off the Iveragh Peninsula, but sightings are never guaranteed.
Age 5 and over. About 4 hours.
Why choose us
Why book your Skellig trip with us
We are a family-run company based at The Marina in Portmagee, and every tour is run by a licensed skipper from the area.
Skippers from the Kerry coast
Our skippers grew up on this coast and know the currents and the landing points around the Skelligs.
Time for questions and photos
We keep our groups small, so you have time to ask the skipper questions and take photos.
Licensed boats and life jackets
Our boats are commercially licensed and insured, with a life jacket for every passenger, and we only sail when the sea is safe.
If we cancel for weather
If we cancel because of the weather, we offer you another date or a full refund. If you cancel more than 48 hours before departure, you get a full refund. Within 48 hours there is no refund unless we can fill your place.
Compare our two Skellig tours
Our approach
How we run our Skellig tours
Every tour leaves from Portmagee with one of our licensed local skippers. Here is what to expect on board.
Licensed local skippers
Our skippers are licensed, were born in the area and talk about the history and wildlife of the islands on every trip.
Wildlife and history commentary
Every tour includes a live talk that covers the monastery, the Star Wars filming, puffins, gannets, seals and other sea life.
Comfort and safety
Our boats have covered seating and life jackets for everyone, and wet weather gear is available.
