Most people come to Portmagee to visit Skellig Michael, but the sea around the islands is also home to whales, dolphins and basking sharks.
You may see dolphins on the way out on our Skellig island tours. If whales are what you want to see, our Skellig Coast whale watching trip spends its time looking for them.
Sightings are never guaranteed, because the animals move freely and no skipper can promise what you will see on the day.
The whale watching trip
The Skellig Coast Whale Watching trip takes about 4 hours, leaves from Portmagee and is open to anyone aged 5 and over. We look for minke whales, fin whales, dolphins and basking sharks, and you can find more details on our whale watching trip page.
What you might see
Common dolphins
Common dolphins are fast, active and very social, and they often ride the wave at the front of the boat, which is called bow riding. We sometimes see pods of 30 or 40 dolphins swimming alongside the boat.
Dolphins live in these waters all year, but they are most active in the warmer months, when there are plenty of small fish to eat.
Minke whales
The minke whale is the one we see most often here. It is the smallest of the great whales but is still 8 to 10 metres long.
Minkes have dark, smooth bodies with a white band on each flipper. They are often shy and rarely leap out of the water, so the best way to spot one is to look for the blow.
The blow is a puff of mist that rises when the whale breathes at the surface. You may then see the curved fin on its back.
Fin whales
Fin whales are also seen on some trips, although like all the animals on this page they are never guaranteed.
Basking sharks
Basking sharks are not whales, but we look for them on this trip too. They are the second largest fish in the world.
In late spring and early summer they feed on plankton at the surface, often with their mouths wide open. They are harmless to people and move slowly, which often gives you a long look from the deck.
How our skippers look for wildlife
Our skippers grew up in Portmagee and know the tides, the currents and where herring and mackerel gather.
They also watch how the seabirds are diving and how the surface of the water looks, as both can show where the fish are. Even so, some trips see a lot and some see very little.
Can you see dolphins on other Skellig island tours?
Sometimes. Dolphins do swim alongside our boats on the way to the Skelligs, but our landing tour and boat tour are planned around the islands.
If whales and dolphins are your main interest, book the whale watching trip.
On any trip near the islands you may also see gannets from Little Skellig, which has one of the biggest gannet colonies in the world. Read more in our guide to the birds of the Skellig Islands.
Private charters
If you want more time on the water, you can book a private charter. You get your own boat and skipper for your group, with the route and pace to suit you.
Charters suit photographers, keen wildlife watchers and families who want to take their time. Contact us to arrange one.
How we watch whales and dolphins
We follow guidelines for watching whales and dolphins so that we do not disturb them. Our skippers keep their distance, approach slowly at a steady speed and never surround a pod. They also limit the time spent with any one group of animals.
What to bring
It is often several degrees cooler at sea than on land, even on a sunny day.
- Warm layers. Bring a windproof or waterproof jacket, even if it is warm in Portmagee.
- Flat shoes. Wear flat shoes with rubber soles, as decks can be slippery.
- Binoculars. We keep a safe distance, so binoculars help you see more.
- Sun cream. Sun reflecting off the water can burn you before you notice.
Every tour has life jackets for everyone, our boats have covered seating, and we have wet weather gear if you need it.
Getting to Portmagee
The whale watching trip leaves from Portmagee, like all our tours, and there is free parking in the village a short walk from the pier.
Please arrive at least 30 minutes before departure to park and check in. For more on the village, read our Portmagee guide.
Weather and cancellations
All our trips depend 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.
You can send us a booking request or call us on +353 66 948 8022.