Boat tours from Portmagee, Co. Kerry
Skellig Michael tours from Portmagee
Our Skellig Michael tours leave from Portmagee in County Kerry. You can land on Skellig Michael or sail around both Skellig Islands. We also run harbour, puffin and whale watching trips and private charters.
Skellig Michael and Little Skellig
Skellig Michael is an island about 12 km off the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry. It rises 218 metres from the sea. Monks founded a monastery there around the 6th century, and the island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Little Skellig is close by and has one of the biggest gannet colonies in the world. Our local skippers take you out to both islands from Portmagee.
See all our boat trips
Explore the Skellig Coast
Our Skellig Michael tours
Skellig Islands boat tour
We sail around Skellig Michael and Little Skellig without landing. You see the monastery, the gannet colony and seals from the sea.
Skellig Michael landing tour
You land on Skellig Michael and climb 618 stone steps to the monastery. You have about 2.5 hours on the island, and the boat also goes around Little Skellig.
Portmagee harbour tour
A short trip around Portmagee harbour and under the Valentia Island bridge. You may see seals and seabirds on the way.
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.
Skellig Coast whale watching
We go out into the waters off the Iveragh Peninsula to look for minke whales, fin whales, dolphins and basking sharks. Sightings are never guaranteed.
About us
A family-run tour company in Portmagee
We are a family-run company based at The Marina in Portmagee, on the Wild Atlantic Way. Our skippers grew up on the Skellig coast.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Skellig Michael has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Its monastery dates from around the 6th century.
Local skippers
Our skippers grew up on this coast. They talk you through the history and wildlife of the islands on every trip.
Puffins and gannets
Little Skellig has one of the biggest gannet colonies in the world. Puffins nest on the islands from about late April to early August.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The monastery on Skellig Michael
Monks founded a monastery on Skellig Michael around the 6th century. It has six beehive huts, two oratories and a church. The monks left in the 12th or 13th century and moved to Ballinskelligs on the mainland.
The island stands 218 metres high and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Two Star Wars films were also shot there.
Portmagee Marina
How to get to the Skellig Islands
All our tours leave from Portmagee, Co. Kerry. 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.
Parking is free in the village, a short walk from the pier. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your departure to park and check in.
Portmagee is a small fishing village on the Wild Atlantic Way, with pubs and places to eat. Read more in our guide to Portmagee.
Book your Skellig tour
Our tours run from April to October, weather permitting. Landing places on Skellig Michael are limited each day, so book early.
Book your Skellig tour
1,400+
Years since the monastery was founded
218 metres
Height of Skellig Michael
618
Stone steps to the monastery
12 km
Off the Kerry coast
FAQ
Questions about our Skellig tours
What is the difference between the boat tour and the landing tour?
The boat tour takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. It goes around both islands and you stay on board. The landing tour takes about 5 to 6 hours, with about 2.5 hours on Skellig Michael to climb the 618 steps. It is for age 14 and over and needs good fitness.
When is the best time to visit the Skellig Islands?
Boat tours run from April to October. Landing tours run from mid-May to the end of September. Puffins are on the islands from about late April to early August, and you see the most in May, June and July. Read our guide to the best time to visit.
What should I bring on a Skellig tour?
For all tours, bring warm layers, a waterproof jacket, sun cream and sunglasses. For the landing tour, also bring boots with good grip, waterproof trousers, food, water and a small rucksack. There are no toilets, shelter, bins or shops on the island.
Can children go on the tours?
All ages are welcome on the boat tour, harbour tour, Puffin Island tour and private charters. Whale watching is for age 5 and over. The landing tour is for age 14 and over only. There are life jackets on every tour.
What happens if the weather is bad?
All tours depend on safe sea conditions. If we cancel for weather, we offer you another date or a full refund. We suggest you stay in the area the night before your tour.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. The OPW limits how many people can land on Skellig Michael each day, so book the landing tour early. The boat tour also gets busy in summer. See how to book.
Skellig wildlife
Puffins, gannets and seals
Puffins nest on the Skelligs from about late April to early August. You see the most in May, June and July. Little Skellig has one of the biggest gannet colonies in the world.
You may also see storm petrels, Manx shearwaters, razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars and grey seals. On our whale watching tour you may see minke whales, fin whales, dolphins and basking sharks.
Star Wars filming location
Star Wars on Skellig Michael
Skellig Michael was Luke Skywalker’s island in the Star Wars films The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. In the films the island is called Ahch-To. The puffins on the island gave the film makers the idea for the porgs.
Plan your visit
When to visit the Skellig Islands
Boat tours run from April to October. Landing tours run from mid-May to the end of September. All tours depend on the weather.
Spring (April to May)
Boat tours start in April. Puffins arrive from about late April. Landing tours start in mid-May.
Summer (June to August)
Puffins stay on the islands until early August. Landing tours run all summer. This is the busiest time, so book early.
Autumn (September to October)
The last landing tours run at the end of September. Boat tours run until October, weather permitting. There are fewer visitors than in summer.
