Skellig Michael is a rugged island in the Atlantic ocean, just off the Kerry Peninsula in Ireland. A monk colony lived here over 1,000 years ago, and resided here for more than 500 years at St Fionan’s monastery. Skellig Michael is one of only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Republic of Ireland.
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Planning and preparation are your best bet for getting to Skellig Michael
It’s a bit like winning the lottery just getting on this island, but fortune shined upon us this day.
First, they only allow so many people on the island per day. There are only a few months out of the year where boats are able to land there. Only 15 boats receive landing permits each year.
Second, the trip is VERY weather dependent. There isn’t actually any place to dock boats. Essentially, you drive up to a landing, and have to jump off the boat. The more intense the waves, the less likely it is that you will make it safely off the boat. When dealing with the Wild Atlantic, every day is not a sailing day here.
We did have a bit of a weather delay, which made me quite nervous. In the end, we made it there. So, I like to say we won the lottery on this day!
(Skellig is one of Irelands famous landmarks, find more landmarks here!)
the boat trip to the island
The boat trip to the island is good fun, but the ride can be rough, very rough…The Wild Atlantic, an adventure in itself. Most boats leave from Portmagee. We used Skellig Walker Cruises for our Skellig landing tour operator. They advertise indoor and outdoor seating on their boat, as well as an onboard bathroom. Be sure to book a landing cruise. There are many companies, including this one, that offer tours AROUND the island, but don’t land on Skellig.
How long is the boat trip to Skellig Michael?
The trip to the Island takes approximately 1 hour from Portmagee to Skellig.
when you arrive at the island
Once you arrive on the island, you will be instructed on exactly how to exit the boat. Remember, no boat dock! the boat is in motion, so follow directions!
SAFETY AND RISKS “is Skellig Michael Dangerous?”
You will be greeted by a guide at the foot of the island who will instruct you on what to expect while on the island. Is Skellig Michael dangerous? Indeed yes, it can be so know your limits.
“death on Skellig Michael” Yes, tourists have fallen to their death on Skellig Michael, three of them as of 2010. Take this risk seriously as you plan your trip to Skellig.
Take your time as you navigate your way around the island. They give you 2.5 hours to explore the island, there shouldn’t be any need to rush.
heading up to the top of Skellig Michael!
Now that you got your safety talk out of the way, let’s head on up. There are 618 treacherous stairs to the top. That’s a lot of stairs!
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when you arrive at the top of Skellig is Skellig Michael Monastery
At the top, you’ll find the ancient stone huts (beehives), where the monks lived. Another guide is at the top,, among the “beehives,” offering a 20-minutes informational talk about the island, and the long ago inhabitants of Skellig Michael Monastery.
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getting back down
Take care. You don’t want to take a wrong step up here!
On the way down, I stopped to watch the cute puffins that make their home on Skellig.
Also, I was simply mesmerized by the color of the water here. I did not alter the color of these photos!
Life wasn’t easy for the monks who settled here, but I find myself envying them nonetheless. Skellig is nature at its grandest, it is ancient, it is spiritual. As you climb those beautifully crooked stairs, you will undoubtedly find yourself closer to heaven above.
Here are a few tips that I found helpful when planning this trip:
Book as early as possible.
I believe landing permits are granted in February. I started checking every few days to make sure we got a spot on a boat.
Try and spend more than one day in the area
Book your trip out for the first day, that way you have a day or two cushion if your first day falls through. They say if you can’t go out on your designated day, they will try and help you get out on another day.
Seasickness
Whether you get seasick or not, I would recommend asking your doctor about Scopolamine prescription sea sick patches (Transderm Scop patch.) I don’t have problems with motion sickness, but I took patches anyway. I wasn’t taking any chances on having this once in a lifetime experience ruined by motion sickness!
packing list:
Picnic lunch, (we brought meats, cheeses, crackers and cake, and ate ours on the boat), camera, sunscreen, water bottle, rain gear & waterproof backpack (boat ride can get pretty wet unless you get a covered boat, and it rains a lot in Ireland), hiking shoes, layers, hiking poles (IF you feel confident using them. I would not recommend learning to use them here!)
Making the most of your time on the island
Save most of your photographing for the way down. Head straight up the stairs, so you don’t miss the information talk at the top. You will be distracted by the adorable puffins. They will still be there on the way down!
Is there a toilet on Skellig Michael?
You may be wondering if there is a toilet on Skellig Michael. Unfortunately, there are no toilets on the island, which is why I recommend doing a bit of research to find a boat that has a bathroom onboard. We’re talking about a good 4.5 hours for the entire trip, that’s a long time without a toilet.
Practice a little if you think the stairs will be an issue
We did a little preparation for those stairs. We went to the local stadium, and went up and down stairs. I am glad that we did. As it turns out, the journey to the top wasn’t as bad as I anticipated, but we had a hike planned for the next day. I was grateful that I wasn’t sore for that. We also used this as an opportunity to get confident on stairs with our hiking poles.
If you find yourself with some time to kill
When we arrived, we were told that due to rough seas, the boats had not been cleared to head out, and that our trip would be delayed by an hour or two. Here is how we filled our time:
- Tasty refreshments I had the most amazing scone at The Bridge Bar/The Moorings, just across from where all of the boats are docked in Portmagee. They served it with fresh raspberry? strawberry? preserves, I can’t quite recall which, but I dream about it still!
- Valentia Island: Head across the bride in Portmagee, toward Valentia Island. Less than 5 miles away, you’ll find a lighthouse and Tetrapod tracks. The Tetrapod (four legged creatures such as amphibians and reptiles) imprints are thought to date from somewhere between 350 and 370 million years ago. I’ll be covering more on Valentia Island in my Ring of Kerry post later.
The Ring of Kerry
The Skellig Experience is located off of the Ring of Kerry which we, in order to give each one the proper amount of time they deserve, did on separate days. I have a Ring of Kerry post in the works, but my friend Faith over at XYUandbeyond has a comprehensive guide to the Ring of Kerry that you will want to check out too: The Ultimate Guide to the Ring of Kerry Drive
Inspiration for this trip, courtesy of Rick Steves’ “Ireland” travel guide. Get the book!!!! Why I love Rick’s books: If I could tell you one thing, and one thing only about his books, I would share with you Rick’s own words. He “gives you all of the information & suggestions necessary, for wringing the maximum value out of your limited time and money!” and that my friends, is exactly what your goal should be.
Looking for more things to do in the area?
You’ll find the Dingle Peninsula just down the road:
22 Amazing Slea Head Drive / Dingle Peninsula Stops (with photos)
2 weeks Ireland Scotland England
We visited Skellig as part of a whirlwind 14 day trip that included highlights in Ireland, Scotland and England! Get our free itinerary here!
