While landing on Skellig Michael is now closed for 2026, our Non-Landing Skellig Islands Eco Tours remain open and will continue to operate until the end of October, weather and sea conditions permitting.
Our mission is to operate responsibly and sustainably, preserving the pristine beauty of Skellig Michael and its surrounding marine environment while delivering exceptional experiences to visitors. We strive to balance environmental stewardship with community engagement and economic viability, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy and appreciate this unique heritage site.
For full details on our Accessibility, Envirmental, Sustainability, Privacy and terms & Conditions policies, click the button links below this text.
We at Skellig Michael Cruises are both delighted and honoured to have been chosen by the Office of Public Works (OPW) to feature in the new Skellig Michael Landing tour safety video.
Our vessel Jessica Kate was selected to demonstrate the key safety features required for passengers travelling to Skellig Michael.
Safety is at the heart of everything we do, and we are proud to play a part in ensuring every visitor has a safe and memorable experience when visiting this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Our Skellig Islands Tour departs daily from Portmagee marina at 10:00 – 12:30 – 3:00 – 5:15pm.
It is more affordable for individuals and families at half the price of the landing tour.
Our Skellig Islands tour lasts approx. 2.5 hours.
The Skellig Islands Tour is suitable all ages and abilities especially for families with children and people who are unable to climb 618 steps to the monastery.
At Skellig Michael Cruises we cater for disabled visitors needing wheelchair access as passengers can board the boat via a door at the back.
We allow dogs on the non-landing Eco Tour around Skellig Michael
The Skellig Michael Landing Tour departs daily from Portmagee marina between 8:00am and 10:30am. Landing time slots on Skellig Michael operates on a rota basis therefore departure times change weekly. Exact departure times will be emailed in advance. It takes approximately 1 hour to reach Skellig Michael.
You are allowed 2.5 hours on the island to climb the 618 steps to the monastery at the top and explore the island.
Remember! The steps are steep and uneven in places – sturdy walking shoes are required on the island.
Children under 12 are not allowed on the Landing Tour.
Dogs are not allowed on the Skellig Michael Landing Tour.
Enhance your once in a lifetime tour and let us take your picture in front of this amazing Unesco World Heritage site (Skellig MIchael) or do a selfie. (You can see a sample of such pictures in our gallery.)
Your journey will take you first to the small Skelligs where you see the second largest colony of gannets in the world and see lots of wildlife such as seals etc… You then continue on to Skellig Michael where you get up close to see the birds, the bee hive huts, the monastery, the light house at the back and the steps the monks carved into the rock in the 5th Century. This was the old path taken by the Monks – something you do not always get to see on the landing tour.
We also have shelter from the weather, rain gear is available for all passengers and life jackets must be worn while on board. With seating inside for all passengers as well as a toilet on board.
On Skellig Michael there is a tour guide to tell you all there is to know about the island, especially the history of Skellig Michael and lots of information on the birds that live there. They will be happy to answer any questions you might have.
For more information on the Skellig Islands check our website pages The History of Skellig Michael and More Skelligs articles
We are a family owned business based in the beautiful fishing village of Portmagee.
Secure Online Booking or visit Our Booking Office in Portmagee Marina car park next to the Skellig Seafront Restaurant.
Skellig Michael Cruises offer two types of boat tour to the Skellig Islands.
A Skellig Islands Tour which goes around both islands, and a Skellig Michael Landing Tour where you get off the boat and climb to the Monastery and can explore Skellig Michael and its wildlife / Birdlife
The force is getting stronger in Skellig Michael after tourism officials predicted rise in visitors wishing to visit the isolated Unesco world heritage site of Skellig Michael & the Skellig Islands.
This could bring a welcome boost to boat tour operators, who could be set to enjoy the busiest-ever tourist season, thanks to the recent filming of Star Wars movie “The Force Awakens”
Legendary Wookiee warrior Chewbacca visits Skellig Michael Cruises Read more here
Both my husband and I took separate trips on the boats to go around the Skelligs – one of us was needed to look after our wee terrier – even though he was invited to go on the trip too! It was just marvellous, seeing a minke whale and dolphins on the way there – magical….the skipper was so interesting, too. A must.
” I would like to thank Brendan and Paul Devane of Skellig Michael Cruises for a fantastic voyage. It was luxury all the way.”
Great tour around Skellig Islands
We went out with Christy of Paul Devane boats. Christy was great Skipper, Gave us lots of detail info re both islands. He was very attentive to all passengers. He was very Safety conscious. Showed us Dolphins on the way out.
” The cruise around Skellig Michael is a fantastic experience and perfect for a family both young and old.”
An “Out of this World” Experience”
After experiencing the 660+ step climb to the top of this mountain, you can truly understand why Abrams selected Skellig Michael for the concluding scenes of “Star Wars VII, The Force Awakens.” Pictures and words cannot adequately describe the shear magnitude or beauty of this special place, nor the journey to reach its summit. The journey is not for the faint of heart, but the final destination will leave you in awe…
“Skellig Michael is one of those unique places that if you close your eyes after you visit it, you will again be transported back there. Do not miss it.”
The larger island is the site of a Monastic Settlement dating back to the 6th century; however, one can find legendary accounts of Skellig Michael which date to pagan times, back in 1400 BC.
Skellig Michael is the most westerly sacred site in Europe and it also finishes the line of ancient pilgrimage places in Europe.
This line runs from Ireland through to France, Italty, and Greece and on to Palestine.
The line is known as the Apollo/ St Michael axis, as it is believed to be known thousands of years before Christianity.
More recently Skellig Michael has become known for its appearance in the latest (2016) Star Wars Film “The Force Awakens” filming took place in 2015.
