Skellig Michael Landing Tour Adventure

As an official Skellig Michael Landing permit holder and Fáilte Ireland approved operator, AquaTerra offers the only covered vessel on the landing route.

Custom-built for the Atlantic, our luxury vessel features indoor panoramic seating, exceptional comfort and stability, while our experienced local guides bring the Skellig Coast’s remarkable history and wildlife to life.

The Skellig Michael Landing season typically runs from mid-May to the end of September, subject to weather conditions and permission from the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The OPW sets the official landing schedule, with departure times changing weekly. Guests should check their booking confirmation carefully for their scheduled departure time.

Season dates and daily landings are subject to OPW approval each morning and safe sea conditions.

AquaTerra Skellig Michael Landing tours depart from Knightstown Village Marina, Valentia Island.

We strongly recommend travelling to Valentia Island via the bridge at Portmagee rather than taking the ferry from Renard Point, as ferry schedules may cause delays to early morning departures.

All guests must arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for check-in and the safety briefing. Please ensure your contact number, including country code, is correct so we can reach you with any updates.

Address: Knightstown Village Marina, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry, Eircode V23 XR88.

The AquaTerra Skellig Michael Landing Tour is conducted in English, including the onboard commentary and the safety briefing and heritage talks delivered by the OPW guides on the island.

Guests wishing to have a guide or interpreter accompany them are welcome to make their own arrangements.

Please note that the guide or interpreter must be included within the maximum capacity of 12 passengers on board.

For guests who prefer to experience the Skellig Coast in their own language, our Ultimate Skellig Coast Tour offers personal audio headsets with narration available in French, Spanish, Italian, German and Irish.

Yes. Every passenger aged 14 years and over must complete and sign a Fitness, Medical and Age Declaration before boarding the vessel. The minimum age for participating in a Skellig Michael Landing Tour is 14 years.

This declaration confirms that each guest meets the minimum age requirement, has considered their physical fitness, mobility, any relevant medical conditions, susceptibility to seasickness and fear of heights, and understands the physical demands and safety requirements of visiting Skellig Michael.

Completion of this declaration is mandatory. Passengers who have not completed it will not be permitted to board.

This boat tour is not suitable for guests prone to motion sickness or seasickness, or those with medical conditions, mobility issues, back problems or injuries that could be aggravated by the journey.

All guests must be able to board and disembark the vessel unassisted - hands free while holding the railings.

Skellig Michael lies approximately 8 miles offshore in the Atlantic Ocean, where sea and wind conditions can be unpredictable.

Unfortunately, no. Landing on Skellig Michael requires a very high level of fitness, excellent balance and mobility.

Guests must be able to board and disembark the vessel unassisted, as transferring onto the pier can be challenging in changing sea conditions.

The island has 618 steep, uneven stone steps without handrails, which can become slippery, while sudden gusts of wind may affect balance.

This boat tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility, balance difficulties, fear of heights or medical conditions that could affect their safety.

All guests must watch the official OPW Skellig Michael Safety Video in full before participating in a landing tour.

As of 2025, the OPW has set a minimum age limit due to the steep terrain, physical demands, and safety regulations.

AquaTerra carries children aged 14 and over only, ensuring their comfort and safety during this tour, which travels 8 miles into the open Atlantic.

Skellig Michael is a protected National Monument, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Statutory Nature Reserve and Special Protection Area (SPA).

Visitors must follow OPW guides’ instructions, stay on designated paths, respect wildlife and historic structures, and take all litter back to the mainland in keeping with Leave No Trace principles.

Alcohol is not permitted on AquaTerra's Skellig Michael Landing Tours.

The crossing takes approximately 35 to 40 minutes, offering spectacular views of the Skellig Coast and surrounding Atlantic scenery.

Please note: Skellig Michael lies approximately 8 miles offshore, where sea and wind conditions can be unpredictable.

This tour is not suitable for guests prone to motion sickness or seasickness, or those with medical conditions, mobility issues or injuries that could be aggravated by the journey.

Visitors have approximately 2.5 hours to explore Skellig Michael at their own pace, within the time allocated to each group by the Office of Public Works (OPW).

OPW guides provide a mandatory safety briefing before the climb and an informative talk at the monastic site, sharing the island’s remarkable history and heritage.

There are 618 steep, uneven stone steps leading to the monastery on Skellig Michael. Before reaching the steps, visitors must walk along the Lighthouse Keepers' Road from the landing pier to the base of the climb.

The route includes exposed cliff edges, uneven surfaces and steps that can become slippery, particularly in wet or windy conditions. Visitors must remain on designated paths and be confident in their fitness, balance and mobility.

All guests must watch the official OPW Skellig Michael Safety Video in full before booking and participating in a landing tour.

Guests must wear suitable outdoor clothing, including sturdy walking boots or shoes with good grip and ankle support. Waterproof jackets and warm layers are essential, as Atlantic weather conditions can change quickly.

Fashion trainers, golf shoes, sandals, wellington boots, flip-flops, Crocs and open-toed or open-heeled footwear are not permitted.

Bring drinking water, a packed lunch and any necessary personal medication, all carried in a secure backpack to keep your hands free during the climb.

Toilet facilities are available on the island.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) strictly regulates access to Skellig Michael to protect its fragile ecosystem and UNESCO World Heritage status.

Only 15 licensed vessels are permitted to land each day, carrying a maximum of 12 passengers each.

This limits daily visitors to 180, with each vessel permitted just one landing tour.

Drones are not permitted on Skellig Michael.

Photography is allowed, but guests must remain on designated paths and follow OPW rules protecting this sacred and environmentally sensitive site.

No, swimming is strictly prohibited, and guests must remain within designated areas at all times.

These rules have been set by the OPW to protect both visitor safety and the integrity of the island.

No. Dogs, including guide and assistance dogs, are not permitted on Skellig Michael. The steep, uneven terrain, exposed cliff edges and challenging landing conditions make the island unsuitable for animals. These restrictions also help protect the island’s sensitive wildlife and natural environment.

The final decision to permit landings on Skellig Michael rests entirely with the Office of Public Works (OPW) Heritage Guides, who assess conditions at the landing pier, along the climbing route and at the monastery each morning during the summer season.

The OPW may cancel landings at any time, including shortly before departure or while vessels are en route to the island. These decisions are made solely by the OPW and are outside AquaTerra’s control.

Guests will be notified as soon as we receive confirmation of any changes. Please ensure you provide a correct contact number, including the full international country code, when booking so we can reach you as quickly as possible.

Yes, if your landing tour is cancelled due to weather or OPW directives:

• You will be offered our Ultimate Skellig Coast tour, a round-trip sea experience around the Skellig Islands.
• If the round trip option does not work, a full refund will be issued.

Please ensure your contact information is accurate, including full phone number with country code, so we can reach you about any schedule changes or alternative tours.

Unfortunately, no. Our vessel is not wheelchair accessible, and guests must be able to board and disembark independently.

The Skellig Michael Landing Tour also involves steep, uneven terrain and 618 stone steps, making it unsuitable for wheelchair users or guests with limited mobility.