Safety at Skellig Michael
A guide to the sea crossing, the climb and the weather, covering what the Office of Public Works requires and the extra rules we follow.
Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site managed by the Office of Public Works. Visiting the island involves a sea crossing from Portmagee and, for the Landing Tour, docking at a small exposed harbour and a climb of 600 stone steps to the monastery. This Skellig Michael safety guide covers every part of our tours.
Skellig Michael Tours operates under a licensed OPW permit and runs the sea crossing in a boat inspected every two years by the Marine Survey Office. The skipper assesses sea conditions each morning before departure. Office of Public Works guidance is the authoritative source on safety on the island itself. Both are summarised below.
The Climb on the Island
(600 feet)
Each Way
(Landing Tour)
Most Sections
This Is a Serious Undertaking
The Office of Public Works classifies the climb on Skellig Michael as a serious undertaking. The 600 stone steps from the harbour to the monastery are uneven in size and spacing, with many worn smooth by centuries of use. Most of the route has no handrails, and significant sections are exposed to drops on one or both sides. Weather exposure is constant, and conditions can change quickly while a group is on the island.
Office of Public Works guidance requires visitors to have a reasonable level of fitness, a head for heights, and suitable footwear. A safety briefing is provided on arrival. Visitors are expected to take responsibility for their own pace and footing on the steps. Most problems happen on the way down, when people are tired.
Sea Crossing Safety
The crossing from Portmagee to Skellig Michael takes approximately 45 minutes each way. The boat is licensed and regularly inspected to the standards required by the Marine Survey Office. Life jackets are available on board and although they are not compulsory, you can choose to wear one if it makes you feel more comfortable.
The Atlantic off the south Kerry coast can be unpredictable. Sea conditions range from calm to moderate swell even on operating days. Visitors prone to sea sickness are advised to take preventative medication before departure, particularly in May, September, or on days with a forecast swell. The boat is stable but motion is constant, and there is limited shelter from wind and spray.
On the Landing Tour, the crossing is followed by a step across from the boat to the small harbour at Skellig Michael. The crew assists with the transfer. Visitors who are unsteady on their feet, pregnant, or recovering from recent surgery should consider whether the transfer is appropriate for them before booking.
Weather and Sea Conditions
Weather and sea conditions are the single most important factor in whether a tour operates. Landing Tours in particular cannot proceed on the day if conditions prevent a safe landing at the small harbour on Skellig Michael. A full refund is issued when a tour cannot operate.
The skipper checks the conditions on the morning of each tour, using the forecast and local knowledge.
If a tour begins but conditions change unexpectedly, the skipper will turn back or adjust the route as needed. Visitor safety takes priority over the itinerary, without exception.
What to Bring and Wear
The right clothes and footwear make the tour safer and more comfortable. We recommend the following for every visitor.
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip. Ankle support is preferred for the Landing Tour.
- A waterproof jacket. Spray and rain are possible in any month.
- Layered clothing. Temperatures at sea and on the exposed island are typically 3 to 5 degrees cooler than in Portmagee.
- Bottled water. There is no water source on the island.
- A light snack for the crossing or for the top of the island.
- Sea sickness medication taken before departure if prone to motion sickness.
- Nothing heavy or bulky. A small day pack or rucksack is ideal.
Medical Considerations
The Landing Tour is not suitable for every visitor, and Office of Public Works guidance is clear on who should not attempt the climb. The Sea Tour has no physical climb and is suitable for almost all visitors, with no age limit.
These visitors should not attempt the Landing Tour.
- Anyone under 18, as Skellig Michael Tours operates a company policy of 18 and over for the Landing Tour
- People with significant mobility or balance issues
- Those uncomfortable with heights or exposure
- Visitors with any physical limitations that affect stair climbing
- Anyone who has not climbed stairs or hills in a long time
- People on medications that affect balance or blood pressure
- Pregnant visitors, due to the harbour transfer and exposure on the steps
- Anyone recovering from recent surgery, injury, or heart conditions
Visitors unsure whether the Landing Tour is suitable for them should consult their GP before booking. Those advised against the climb will find the Sea Tour offers a full view of the islands from the water, with no climb required.
Age Limits and Responsibility
The Office of Public Works sets a minimum age of 12 for the Landing Tour on Skellig Michael. Skellig Michael Tours operates a stricter company policy of 18 and over, given the demands of the 600-step climb and the responsibility each visitor takes for their own footing. The Sea Tour has no age restriction and is suitable for children and older visitors alike.
All visitors on the Landing Tour receive a safety briefing from Office of Public Works staff on arrival at Skellig Michael. The briefing covers the climb, weather awareness, and how to descend safely. Visitors are responsible for their own pace and care on the steps. The route is self-guided once the briefing is complete.
On the Sea Tour, the skipper and crew are responsible for visitor safety throughout the tour. Visitors are asked to remain seated when the boat is under way and to follow crew instructions at all times.
Can You Visit Without Climbing?
Yes. The Skellig Sea Tour around the islands offers close views of the rock formations, the monastery visible high on the ledge, and the gannet colony on Little Skellig, all from the boat.
From the water you can still see the size of the island and the monastery the monks built, without the physical demands of the Landing Tour.
Learn About the Sea Tour