skellig island tour - landing tour

Skellig Michael Landing Tour

Skellig All you need to know about the

Skellig Michael Landing Tour

On the Skellig Michael Landing Tour you can get off the boat and explore the island. The tour departs from the marina in Portmagee, Co. Kerry. Landing on Skellig Michael is very restricted and only licensed boats are permitted to land once per day during the season (mid May to end of September). Landing is not permitted outside this period. The departure time for the Skellig Michael Landing Tour is subject to change because of the sea conditions, tides and landing time slots but the tour normally departs between 08:00am and 12:30pm. You will find out the allocated departure time when you check-in the day before the tour.

It is mandatory that all visitors watch the OPW safety on Skellig Michael video before embarking on a landing tour. It is paramount that potential visitors are aware of what the landing tour entails and the rugged nature of Skellig Michael before booking.

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Duration

The boat trip to Skellig Michael takes about 45 minutes, with 2.5 hours on the island.
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Location

The Skellig Landing Tour departs from the marina in Portmagee, Co. Kerry.
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Price

Tickets for the Skellig Michael Landing Tour are €130 per person.
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skellig island tour - landing tour
Skellig The Landing Tour

What to bring on the Skellig Michael Landing Tour?

The Irish weather is very unpredictable and we can get all the seasons in one day. It is a Skellig Michael governance requirement to have warm outdoor clothing, footwear with ankle support/sturdy walking boots and waterproof rain wear (jacket and trousers).

Landing tour visitors are required to have a strong level of fitness and a good head for heights. It is also firmly advised that this tour may not be suitable for visitors who are affected by particular medical conditions.

There are no shop facilities on the island so bring something to eat and drink with you. You should also bring sunscreen. If you suffer from motion sickness consider taking medication before the tour and avoid eating for a couple of hours beforehand.

We will keep you updated on the forecasted conditions and departure details when you check-in the day before the tour.

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Crossing Time

The crossing to Skellig Michael takes about 45 minutes.

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Time on Skellig

You will have 2 and a half hours on Skellig Michael.

Skellig Reviews

Our Customers Love Our Tours

Skellig Island Tours is a family-run business since 1980, offering unforgettable trips to the Skellig Islands. Departing from Portmagee, our expert guides blend adventure and history, showcasing the ancient ruins and wildlife of Skellig Michael and Little Skellig. With over 45 years of experience, we prioritise safety and sustainability, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone on our tours.
skellig testimonial
Truly a one of a kind experience. My wife booked the trip about 6 months in advance. Throughout the reservation process they are very direct that the weather can cause the trip to be cancelled at anytime and we were fortunate to have beautiful weather the day of our trip. Capt Casey provided us with a warm welcome, smooth passage, and informative details along the way.
James Blue - Oct. 2024
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skellig testimonial
The landing tour was truly a once-in-a-lifetime, amazing experience! The climb and descent are both strenuous but very worth the challenge. The tour company did an excellent job communicating departure instructions and the possibility of bad weather.
Emma Wright - Sept. 2024
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skellig testimonial
It's an absolute MUST!! We were so lucky to have the best weather on this day. It was the most memorable experience from our trip to Ireland. Book it!!!!
Tamera Felcoski - Jul. 2024
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Skellig

Important Info

What To Expect

Clothing

Dress Appropriately

You require a reasonable amount of fitness to undertake the landing tour. There are 618 steps to the monastery on Skellig Michael, and some are quite steep in certain areas along the path. Please watch the safety video to ensure you are aware of the rugged nature of Skellig Michael.
Be Contactable

In Case of Changes

It is very important that we can reach you on the contact information you provide us with (i.e., Phone Number and Email) because the tours are very dependent on the sea conditions, and we will need to keep you updated if the departure time changes or if the tour is cancelled.
Weather

Be Prepared

The departure time may be delayed by many hours due to tides and sea conditions. You must be available until at least 5:30 PM on the day of the tour. This is the latest that the tour will arrive back at Portmagee marina if the departure time is delayed.
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Skellig Book your Skellig Michael Landing Tour Now
Book the Skellig Landing Tour

Click on the button below to book your Skellig Michael Landing Tour tour now or contact us if you have any further inquiries. Our team is ready to assist you with any questions and ensure your experience is exceptional.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the boat trip to Skellig Michael?

The ferry crossing to Skellig Michael takes about 45 minutes.

How much time do I have on Skellig Michael?

You will have 2 and a half hours on Skellig Michael.

Why is there only one trip per day for the Skellig Michael Landing Tour?

We are only permitted to land on Skellig Michael once per day due to restrictions to preserve the island. There are 15 boats with licenses to land on Skellig Michael and each boat is allowed to carry 12 passengers. That means there is a maximum of 180 people on Skellig Michael per day.

When will I find out if the Skellig Michael Landing Tour is cancelled?

The heritage guides, who live and work on Skellig Michael during the landing tour season, monitor the conditions at the island every morning and they ultimately decide whether or not the landing tour can go ahead. They will not make a decision to cancel unless they are absolutely certain that landing is not possible so sometimes their final decision may be right before the tour is due to depart. Of course, we will contact you immediately if we hear any updates before that.

Are children allowed on Skellig Michael Landing Tour?

Children under 14 years are not permitted on the Skellig Michael Landing Tour.

How many steps are there on Skellig Michael?

There are 618 steps to the monastery on Skellig Michael. You will climb the same steps constructed by the monks who made their home on the island between the 6th and 12th centuries.

Where do the Skellig Michael Tours depart from?

All our tours depart from the marina in Portmagee, County Kerry. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour is due to depart.

How to get to the Skellig Michael Tour Departure Point?

Address: Portmagee, Co. Kerry
Coordinates: 51.885894, -10.365326

You MUST allow at least 30 minutes more than your GPS advises. The roads are very narrow and you will encounter slow moving traffic, coaches, campervans etc. There will also be roadworks en route.

Click the booking button in the menu at the top of the page for our secure booking page.

It is very important that we are able to contact you at the phone number and email that you provide when you make your booking. The tours are very dependent on the sea conditions and we will need to keep you updated if the departure time changes or if a tour is cancelled.
Please ensure you include your COUNTRY CODE with your phone number.

How do I change or cancel my Skellig Tour booking?

Login to our customer area to update or cancel your booking. Enter the same email address you used when you made your booking.

Customer Area

It is advisable to stay as near as possible to Portmagee.

You should stay locally the night before the tour because the sea conditions vary a lot and we are often not sure if the tour will go ahead until right before it is due to depart.

Click here to see a list of accommodation providers on Booking.com

Click here to see a list of accommodation on Airbnb.com

Are there alternative tours if my landing tour is cancelled due to sea or weather conditions?

Yes, we can get you on the next available Skellig Michael Eco Tour or Audio Visual (AV) Boat Tour and refund the difference in price back to your card. The landing tour is sometimes cancelled due to adverse sea or weather conditions. Unfortunately, as subsequent landing tours are usually booked out well in advance, it is unlikely we will be able to reschedule your booking. This is a limited tour with very few places available each day due to restrictions on landing on the Skelligs. If your landing tour is cancelled and you don’t wish to go on an alternative tour you will receive a full refund including booking fee.

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Embark on an unforgettable adventure with our Skellig Michael Tours, which offer two distinct experiences. The eco tour, lasting approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes, takes you on a scenic journey around both Skellig Michael and the Small Skelligs. You’ll get an up-close view of the stunning wildlife and historical sites. With multiple departure times throughout the day depending on sea conditions, it’s advisable to book in advance, especially during peak season when the tours can get quite busy.