Skellig Michael Landing Tour
All you need to know about the Skellig Michael Landing Tour 2026
Booking for the 2026 landing tour season is now open. 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 online the day before the tour.
Duration
2026 Season
How to book?
Meeting point
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.
The crossing to Skellig Michael takes about 45 minutes.
You will have 2 and a half hours on Skellig Michael.
Important Info
What To Expect
Dress Appropriately
In Case of Change
Be Prepared
Frequently Asked Questions
The ferry crossing to Skellig Michael takes about 45 minutes.
You will have 2 and a half hours on Skellig Michael.
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.
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.
Children under 14 years are not permitted on the Skellig Michael Landing Tour.
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.
All our tours depart from the marina in Portmagee, County Kerry. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour is due to depart.
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.
Login to our customer area to update or cancel your booking. Enter the same email address you used when you made your booking.
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
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.
No, unfortunately dogs are not permitted on the landing tour. The OPW has a strict policy of not allowing dogs on to Skellig Michael therefore we can’t take dogs on this tour.
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Step On to the Islands
Book Your Skellig Michael Landing Tour Now
Click on the button below to book your Skellig Michael Landing Tour tour now or contact us if you have any further inquiries.
DAY BEFORE THE TOUR
Checking In for the Skellig Michael Landing Tour
The departure time for the Landing Tour changes daily depending on tides, sea conditions and the allocated landing slot on the island. You will need to check in the day before your tour to confirm your departure time and the latest conditions.
Check In Online Check-in opens at 08:30am and closes at 3:00pm the day before your tour. Your booking confirmation email contains the check-in link. You cannot check in more than 24 hours in advance as we will not have accurate conditions information before then.
Check In by Phone If you are having difficulty checking in online, you can call, SMS or WhatsApp us between 12:00pm and 4:00pm the day before. The phone number is in your booking confirmation email.
On the Day Arrive at Portmagee Marina at least 15 minutes before your confirmed departure time. Ask for Casey at the marina. You must remain available until at least 5:30pm on the day of your tour as departure times can shift significantly due to conditions.
On Skellig Michael
What to Expect When You Land
Between late March and early August puffins nest close to the lower path. Stay on the designated route at all times and do not step onto soft ground where birds may be nesting.The descent takes longer than the climb and requires full concentration. Allow plenty of time and do not rush it.
You will have approximately two and a half hours on Skellig Michael. The climb from the landing pier to the monastery involves 618 uneven stone steps with no handrails. The path is steep and exposed in places and requires a good level of fitness and a confident head for heights. It is not suitable for visitors with mobility difficulties, heart conditions or respiratory issues.
OPW heritage guides are based at the foot of the steps and give a safety briefing before you begin the climb. They are also at the summit and can answer questions about the monastery and the history of the island.
Between late March and early August puffins nest close to the lower path. Stay on the designated route at all times and do not step onto soft ground where birds may be nesting.
The descent takes longer than the climb and requires full concentration. Allow plenty of time and do not rush it.
The Journey OUt
Crossing to Skellig Michael
The boat departs Portmagee Marina and heads out into the Atlantic on a 45-minute crossing. As you clear Portmagee Channel you pass Bray Head on Valentia Island, the Kerry Cliffs to the south, and Puffin Island as you move into open water. The crossing passes close to Little Skellig, home to almost 30,000 pairs of gannets, the largest gannet colony in Ireland.
The boat then continues to Skellig Michael and approaches Blind Man’s Cove on the eastern side of the island, where you will disembark onto the landing pier.
The crossing involves open Atlantic water. Sea conditions vary and the crossing can be rough depending on the day. If you are prone to seasickness, take medication before departure and avoid eating for a couple of hours beforehand.
Skellig Michael Interactive Map
Click the markers on this map to view points of interest featured on Skellig Michael. Select locations on SKELLIG MICHAEL to view the monastic sites and terrain on the island.
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Blind Man's Cove
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Christ's Saddle
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Needle's Eye
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Monastic Settlement
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Lighthouse
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