Skellig Michael landing tour — Michael B & Kenneth Casey

Licensed Skellig Michael landing tour with Michael B & Kenneth Casey, departing from Portmagee aboard the permitted vessel Skellig Crest — listed among OPW permitted boat operators for Sceilg Mhichíl. Book directly on their site; Echtra Echtra lists this for discovery only.

Skellig Michael — what to expect

Skellig Michael rises from the Atlantic 12 kilometres off the Kerry coast — a pyramid of rock reaching 218 metres above sea level, home to a 6th-century monastic settlement that has survived intact for 1,400 years.

The crossing from Portmagee Marina takes approximately 50 minutes. On the way out you pass Little Skellig — home to the second largest gannet colony in the world, approximately 70,000 breeding pairs, visible and audible from the boat.

On Skellig Michael itself, heritage guides stationed on the island throughout the season greet you on the pier and interpret the monastery, the monks’ lives, and the remarkable preservation of the beehive cells at the summit. The 618 steps are uneven and require reasonable fitness — but the view from the top is why people come.

Landing is subject to weather conditions. The heritage guides on the island make the final decision each morning. Approximately 65% of landing tours proceed as planned each season. Children under 12 are not permitted on the island under Office of Public Works rules.