Skellig Sea Tour
A 2.5 hour boat tour around the Skelligs
Skellig Michael Tours runs the Skellig Sea Tour from Portmagee marina. It is a 2.5 hour boat tour that circles both Skellig Michael and Little Skellig without landing on either island.
The tour offers a complete view of both islands from the water, including the gannet colony on Little Skellig which cannot be accessed on foot, and the sandstone rock formations of Skellig Michael with the monastery visible high above.
Sea Tours operate from 1 May 2026 to 30 September 2026.
What the Tour Includes
- Departure from Portmagee marina
- Approximately 2.5 hours on the water
- Full circuit of both Skellig Michael and Little Skellig
- Commentary from the skipper on history, wildlife, and geology
- Views of the monastery, rock formations, and gannet colony
- Wildlife spotting throughout the journey
What You See from the Boat
The Sea Tour circles both Skellig Michael and Little Skellig, with a constantly changing view from every angle. Here is what the boat brings you close to on a typical tour.
Little Skellig
Little Skellig is home to one of the largest gannet colonies in Europe, with more than 70,000 breeding pairs covering the rock face from sea level to summit. Landing on Little Skellig is not permitted, which means the Sea Tour is the only way to see the colony up close. The boat circles the island at a short distance, bringing you into the noise and movement of the colony.
Gannets are present from early in the season through to the autumn. In peak months the surrounding water is alive with diving birds fishing the shoals.
The Monastery and Beehive Huts
The sixth century monastery sits on a ledge near the summit of Skellig Michael, at around 180 metres (600 feet) above sea level. From the boat, the ledge is clearly visible, with the dry stone beehive huts lined along it, looking much as they did when the monks left the island in the twelfth century.
The 618 stone steps of the pilgrim path can be traced from the harbour up the side of the island to the monastery. It is a perspective on the settlement that visitors on the Landing Tour do not get, because the view from below captures the full scale of what the monks built.
The Rock Formations
Skellig Michael is the exposed tip of a submerged mountain, 218 metres (714 feet) tall at its highest point, and made of the same Old Red Sandstone as the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks on the mainland. From the water, the full vertical scale of the rock is visible in a way it cannot be from the island itself.
The boat passes close to the base of the rock face, where sea erosion has carved caves and arches, and the layered structure of the sandstone is exposed.
Puffins
Puffins arrive on Skellig Michael from late April and stay until early August. From the boat they are often visible on the ledges and in the water around the island, particularly in the early part of the tour as the boat approaches the landing point.
Other Sights Along the Tour
Seals
Grey seals are seen frequently on the rocks around both Skellig Michael and Little Skellig, lying on the lower ledges or in the water close to the boat. The colony around the Skelligs numbers around fifty individuals.
Dolphins
Dolphins are seen less regularly than seals but there is always a chance on a Sea Tour. Common dolphins travel in large pods and occasionally approach the boat on the crossing to and from the islands.
Whales
Whale sightings are rare but whales have been present every year for the past several years. Minke whales are the most commonly encountered, with occasional sightings of fin whales and humpbacks later in the season.
The Lighthouses
Skellig Michael has two lighthouses, built in the 1820s and among the most remote ever constructed. The upper lighthouse was decommissioned in the 1870s but remains intact. The lower lighthouse is still operational, now automated, and clearly visible from the boat.
Christ’s Saddle
Christ’s Saddle is the deep valley that separates the two peaks of Skellig Michael. From certain angles on the Sea Tour, you can see through the saddle and across to the far side of the island, a perspective that is not possible from the climb itself.
Star Wars Sites
Skellig Michael featured in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi as the planet Ahch-To. Several of the filming locations, including sections of the monastery steps and the approach to the island, are visible from the water.
Wave Rock
Also known as Washerwoman Rock, this is a small exposed rock southwest of Skellig Michael that rises just above the water in most sea conditions. The boat passes close enough for a clear view, and it is often surrounded by diving gannets and seals.
Basking Sharks
Basking sharks, the second largest fish species in the world, are seen some seasons feeding at the surface around the Skelligs. Sightings are unpredictable but when they happen the boat can often approach slowly for a close view.
How long is the Skellig Sea Tour?
The Skellig Sea Tour is approximately 2.5 hours long. The boat departs from Portmagee marina three times daily at 10am, 12:30pm, and 3pm from 1 May 2026 to 30 September 2026. The tour circles both Skellig Michael and Little Skellig without landing. Departures are subject to sea conditions.
Who the Sea Tour Suits
The Sea Tour is suitable for almost all visitors. There is no physical climb involved. Children, older visitors, and those with mobility concerns can all take part without difficulty. Because the tour does not require landing at the small harbour on Skellig Michael, it operates more reliably across the season than the Skellig Michael Landing Tour.
The shorter duration also suits visitors with limited time in the area, or those combining the tour with other activities along the Skellig Coast. For a side by side breakdown of both tour options, see the Sea Tour vs Landing Tour comparison.
Check Availability
The Skellig Michael boat tour runs from 1 May 2026 to 30 September 2026. The boat departs Portmagee marina three times daily at 10am, 12:30pm, and 3pm, subject to sea conditions. Peak summer dates often fill several weeks in advance. Live availability and pricing are shown below.
Date picker, passenger count, price, proceed to booking