How to Plan a Skellig Michael Trip from Portmagee

A trip to Skellig Michael starts in Portmagee, a small village in County Kerry. The island is about 12 km off the coast of the Iveragh Peninsula.

This guide explains how to plan your Skellig Michael trip, covering booking, getting here, what to bring, the weather and which tour to choose.

Book early

You can only land on Skellig Michael from mid-May to the end of September, weather permitting. The OPW limits how many people can land each day, and places often sell out months ahead, so book as early as you can.

If you want to see puffins, come between late April and early August, and most are there in May, June and July. Our guide to the best time to visit goes through the season month by month.

Landing tour or boat tour?

We run two tours to the Skellig Islands, which suit different people, so read both before you book.

The landing tour

The Skellig Michael Landing Tour takes about 5 to 6 hours in total, with about 2.5 hours on the island.

Most people spend that time climbing to the monastery. The island is 218 metres high, and 618 stone steps with no handrails lead up to the monastery.

You need good fitness, and the tour is for ages 14 and over only. It is not suitable if you have mobility problems, vertigo or serious health concerns.

Adult tickets cost €150, and there are no student or group rates.

Landing is never guaranteed, because it depends on the sea on the day.

The boat tour (no landing)

The Skellig Islands Boat Tour does not land, but it circles Skellig Michael and Little Skellig and takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.

It is open to all ages and runs from April to October, weather permitting. You see the cliffs of Skellig Michael and the gannet colony on Little Skellig, one of the biggest in the world.

It is a good choice if you do not want to climb, have young children or could not get a landing place.

For boat tour prices, call us on +353 66 948 8022 or email info@skelligmichael.ie.

You can compare both tours on our Portmagee boat trips page.

Getting to Portmagee

All our tours leave from Portmagee Marina, and driving times to Portmagee are roughly as follows.

From Killarney, about 1 hour 20 minutes.
From Cork, about 2.5 hours.
From Shannon Airport, about 3 hours.
From Dublin, about 4.5 hours.

Kerry’s country roads are narrow and slow, so allow more time than your map suggests.

There is free parking in the village, a short walk from the pier. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure to park and check in.

Where to stay

Staying nearby the night before means less driving on the day of your tour.

Portmagee. The closest base, with guesthouses and hostels near the marina.
Valentia Island. Linked to Portmagee by a bridge. It has the site of the first transatlantic telegraph cable and the Tetrapod Trackways, which are very old fossil footprints.
Ballinskelligs. Across the bay, with a beach and the ruins of a 12th-century priory. The Skellig monks moved here when they left the island.
Waterville. A larger village south of Portmagee, with more hotels and places to eat.

A visitor looking across the sea to Little Skellig

What to bring

The weather can change quickly, even in summer, and there is no shelter on Skellig Michael, so come prepared.

Footwear. Wear walking boots with good grip and ankle support, because trainers, sandals and smooth soles are not safe on the steps.
Waterproofs. Bring a waterproof jacket and trousers, as there is often sea spray on the boat.
Layers. It can be much colder on the island than on the mainland, so wear layers you can add or remove during the climb.
Sun protection. Bring sun cream and a hat, because you can burn even on a cloudy day.
Food and water. Bring your own food and at least 1 litre of water per person.
A bag for litter. There are no bins on the island, so you take everything home.

There are no toilets, shops or bins on Skellig Michael. We provide life jackets on every tour, and we have wet weather gear if you need it.

Weather and cancellations

Every tour depends on safe sea conditions, and if we cancel for 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.

If you can, leave a spare day in your plans, which gives you a second chance if your trip is cancelled.

Visitors walking down the steps on Skellig Michael, with the sea below

On the island

The steps are steep, narrow and uneven and get slippery in mist or rain, so go at a steady pace and stay on the paths.

Follow the instructions of the OPW guides on the island, including where you can eat. The island is remote, so help takes a long time to arrive if someone falls.

Our guide to the Skellig Michael steps explains the climb in more detail.

Do not touch, lean on or move any stones on the huts and walls. Puffin and shearwater burrows lie right beside the paths, and they can collapse if you step off the steps.