Tours to Skellig Michael
Explore the Skellig Islands
Skellig Michael Landing Tours & Eco Boat Tours
We have two types of tours going to the Skellig Islands – Skellig Michael and Little Skelligs. On the Landing Tour you get off the boat and step on to the island. With the Eco Tour you stay on the boat as it goes around both the Skellig Islands getting right up close to see the historic sites and wildlife on Skellig Michael and the gannet colony on Little Skelligs.
We also have an Audio Visual (AV) Boat Tour that takes 1 hour and explores the coastal islands and inlets with narration, video and images throughout. All the tours depart from the marina in Portmagee, Co. Kerry.
Not sure which tour suits you? See the comparison below →
Boat Tour
Skellig Michael Eco Boat Tour
The boat tour takes approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes and circles both islands getting right up close to Skellig Michael and the small Skelligs to see both the wildlife and the historical sites. The eco tour has multiple departure times throughout the day depending on the sea conditions. This tour can get quite busy especially in the peak season so it is advisable to book well in advance.
Landing Tour
Skellig Michael Landing Tour
The Landing Tour, where you get off the boat and go on to the island, departs Portmagee marina in the morning and arrives back at the marina in the afternoon. Departure and return times vary depending on the sea conditions and available landing time slots. The entire trip takes about 5 hours including the time on the island. There is one trip per day for this tour. Availability for this tour is very limited so you really need to book well in advance.
Eco Tour or Landing Tour: which is right for you?
Both tours visit the Skellig Islands, but they are very different experiences. Choosing the right one depends on your fitness, your comfort with heights, and how you want to experience the islands.
| Eco Boat Tour | Landing Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2.5 hours | 5 hours |
| Land on the island | No | Yes |
| Steps | None | 618 uneven stone steps |
| Physical difficulty | Low | High |
| Minimum age | None | 14 years |
| Departures per day | Multiple | Once daily |
| Dogs permitted | Yes | No |
| Advance booking needed | Yes | Yes, months ahead |
Choose the Eco Tour if
- →You are travelling with children under 14
- →You want to spend more time observing Little Skellig and the gannet colony at close range
- →You want to have the rest of the day free
- →You have concerns about heights or exposed steps
- →You are travelling with a dog
- →You are travelling in a larger group (8 or more)
- →Your dates in Kerry are fixed
Choose the Landing Tour if
- →Your primary goal is to reach the monastery and explore the beehive huts
- →You are physically fit and confident on steep uneven terrain without handrails
- →You can book well in advance and remain flexible on the day
- →You can commit to being available all day until at least 5.30pm in case of a morning delay
- →You accept that landing conditions at the pier may prevent the tour from going ahead
A note on cancellations
Both tours are subject to cancellation in adverse sea or weather conditions.
The Landing Tour has an additional requirement: the Atlantic swell at the island pier must be low enough for us to be able to safely disembark passengers. This may not be possible even when the weather at Portmagee appears calm.
It is rarely possible to reschedule your Landing Tour booking if it is cancelled. In most cases, we can reschedule Eco Tour bookings to a later departure once conditions improve.
Tour prices
All prices below are per person and exclude the online booking fee, which is added at checkout. Group rates are available for the Eco Boat Tour for parties of 8 or more. Contact us to discuss group bookings.
Eco Boat Tour prices
| Adult | €60 |
| Senior (65 and over) | €55 |
| Student | €55 |
| Child | €50 |
| Family (2 adults and 2 children) | €190 |
| Each additional child | €35 |
| Group rate (8 or more) | On request |
Landing Tour prices
| All passengers (age 14 and over) | €145 |
One departure daily. Minimum age 14. No dogs. Limited places and advance booking essential.
All prices exclude online booking fee.
HARBOUR Boat CRUISE
Audio Visual Interactive Boat Tour
This Audio Visual Boat Tour takes you on a journey like no other. The tour departs from Portmagee Marina in Co. Kerry and takes about 1 hour. The tour blends virtual content into the real world environment providing you with a rich immersive experience as the boat moves from the departure point at the marina, exploring the harbour, meandering through the small coastal islands and out to sea.
Experience the joy of nature while learning about the history, wildlife and movies that were filmed here including Star Wars and Harry Potter. The tour is a fun, educational adventure and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
We rarely have to cancel this tour because of the sea and weather conditions because it involves going less than 3 miles (5 kms) out to sea and the boat is mostly sheltered by the islands and inlets throughout. But, just in case, it is very important that you enter the correct phone number and email when you make a booking, so we are able to contact you if we have to cancel or reschedule your tour.