FAQ
Questions about our Skellig Michael tours
These are the questions we are asked most about our Skellig tours from Portmagee. If your question is not here, call us on +353 66 948 8022 or contact us. Our office is open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 3pm.
Planning your trip
Where do the tours leave from?
All our tours leave from the pier in Portmagee, on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry. The Ring of Kerry goes around this peninsula. Portmagee is a small fishing village with pubs, restaurants and places to stay.
Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your departure. This gives you time to park, check in and hear the safety briefing. Read more in our guide to Portmagee.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Book as early as you can, especially for the landing tour. The OPW limits how many people can land on Skellig Michael each day, and landing places can sell out weeks or months ahead in summer.
Our boat tours and harbour tours can also fill up in July and August. Booking early holds your place and lets us contact you if the weather means we need to change your date. See how to book a Skellig tour.
How much does a Skellig tour cost?
Skellig Michael landing tour. €150 per adult. Age 14 and over only. There are no student or group rates.
For prices for the boat tour and our other tours, call us on +353 66 948 8022 or email info@skelligmichael.ie.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear warm layers and bring a waterproof jacket. It can be cool and windy on the open sea, even on a sunny day. We also have wet weather gear if you need it.
Wear shoes with good grip, such as walking shoes or trainers with a good tread. Do not wear sandals or flip-flops.
Bring sunscreen, a hat, a water bottle and a small backpack. If you get seasick, take medication before you leave, as the crossing can be rough.
How long are the tours?
Skellig Michael landing tour. About 5 to 6 hours, with about 2.5 hours on the island.
Skellig Islands boat tour. About 2.5 to 3 hours.
Skellig Coast whale watching. About 4 hours.
Portmagee harbour tour. About 1 hour. It suits younger children or anyone short on time.
Full details of every tour, including the Puffin Island and Kerry Cliffs tour, are on our Portmagee boat trips page.
Is there parking in Portmagee?
Yes. There is free parking in Portmagee village, a short walk from the pier. In June, July and August the spaces fill up early in the morning, so allow time to find one.
Portmagee is about 1 hour 20 minutes by car from Killarney and 2.5 hours from Cork. It is about 3 hours from Shannon Airport and 4.5 hours from Dublin.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you cancel more than 48 hours before departure, you get a full refund. If you cancel within 48 hours, there is no refund unless we can fill your place.
If we cancel because of the weather, we offer you another date or a full refund. If your plans change, please tell us as soon as you can. We can then offer your place to someone on our waiting list.
About the Skellig Islands
What are the Skellig Islands?
The Skellig Islands are two small rocky islands about 12 km off the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry.
Skellig Michael (Sceilg Mhichíl) is 218 metres high. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Monks founded a monastery at the top around the 6th century.
You can still see six stone beehive huts, two oratories and a church, reached by 618 stone steps. Little Skellig has one of the biggest gannet colonies in the world. Read more on our Skellig Michael history page.
Can I land on Skellig Michael?
Yes, we run licensed landing tours from Portmagee. Our Skellig Michael landing tour runs from mid-May to the end of September, weather permitting. It is for ages 14 and over.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) limits how many people can land each day, so landing tours sell out quickly. You get about 2.5 hours on the island to climb the 618 steps and see the monastery. Landing is never guaranteed, because it depends on the sea.
How fit do I need to be for the landing tour?
You need good fitness. There are 618 stone steps up to the monastery, with no handrails. The steps are steep and uneven, with open edges in places.
You should be steady on your feet and comfortable with heights. Our guide to the Skellig Michael steps explains how to prepare.
Are there toilets on Skellig Michael?
No. There are no toilets, shelter, bins or shops on the island. Bring water and a snack, and take all your rubbish home with you.
When is the best time to visit the Skellig Islands?
Landing tours run from mid-May to the end of September. Our boat tours around the islands run from April to October.
May, June and July are the best months for puffins. June and July have the longest days and often the calmest seas.
August and September are often quieter, and the weather can still be good. Early and late in the season the sea can be rougher. Our guide to the best time to visit goes through the season month by month.
What happens if the weather cancels my tour?
All our tours depend on safe sea conditions. If the sea is not safe, we contact you as early as we can to move your tour to another date. If no other date suits you, we give you a full refund.
We still sail in light rain and cloud. We suggest you book early in your holiday, so there is time to rebook if the weather stops us.
Are the tours suitable for children?
Most of them are. The Skellig Islands boat tour, the Portmagee harbour tour and the Puffin Island and Kerry Cliffs tour are for all ages. The whale watching tour is for ages 5 and over.
The Skellig Michael landing tour is only for ages 14 and over. The climb is steep and uneven, and there are no handrails on the 618 steps.
We provide life jackets for everyone on every tour.
Will I see puffins on a Skellig tour?
Puffins nest on the Skellig Islands from about late April to early August. Most are there in May, June and July, but sightings are never guaranteed.
The islands also have storm petrels, Manx shearwaters, razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars and grey seals. You can see the gannets on Little Skellig from the boat on both our Skellig tours.
Read more in our puffin guide and our guide to the birds of the Skellig Islands.