When planning a holiday to Ireland and looking for things to do and places to visit during your trip, it is likely that you will come across the Skellig islands. These islands are very famous in Ireland and they’re now known around the world thanks to the Star Wars films that were filmed here. However, not many people have actually stepped foot on the Skellig islands.
If you’ve never heard of the Skellig islands before and you’re wondering whether you should add visiting them to your holiday to-do list, below we have put together some useful information about these breathtaking islands.
What To Know About The Skellig Islands?
The Skellig islands are two small, steep and rocky islands in County Kerry, Ireland. The largest island is called Skellig Michael and the smaller island is called Little Skellig, and they’re both only accessible by boat. Unfortunately, Little Skellig is closed to the public, but you can visit Skellig Michael and it is highly recommended that you do.
Whilst you can see the Skellig islands from the Kerry Cliffs, which are the closest viewing point to the islands, it is much more beneficial to book a Skellig boat tour. Some tours won’t actually land on Skellig Michael, but they will enable you to experience the Skellig Coast, and others will include a foot tour of this iconic island.
Why should you visit Skellig Michael and Little Skellig?
Visiting Skellig Michael really is a once in a lifetime experience and it’s not something you will want to miss whilst you’re staying on the Emerald Isle. In fact, this island is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the number of visitors allowed to step foot on Skellig Michael is limited. A maximum of 180 people per day can visit this renowned tourist attraction and you should book your landing tour in advance to avoid disappointment.
One of the main reasons why people choose to visit the Skellig islands via a boat trip is to see an abundance of wildlife in its natural habitat. Both of the islands are known for their seabird colonies and there are so many magnificent creatures to observe. The wildlife that inhabits the islands and the waters that surround them will be fascinating to see, and not many people get the opportunity to see puffins, seals, bottlenose dolphins and humpback whales all on one trip.
The Skellig islands are also steeped in history and during your tour, you will be told many stories of the Skellig Coast. Skellig Michael is home to a Christian monastery and hermitage that was built by the monks of St. Finian too, and your tour guide will tell you all about the monastic settlements. Not to mention, when you climb the 640 steps to the top of Skellig Michael, you will be walking the famous path that made an appearance in the Star Wars Franchise.
Visiting Skellig Michael and Little Skellig is a brilliant way to spend a day when you’re staying in Ireland, and no matter how long your holiday is, it’s worth finding the time to do a boat tour or landing tour. The beautiful scenery alone is reason enough to visit the Skellig islands and everything else mentioned above can make the visit one you’ll remember forever.
Booking a Skellig Island Visit
If you’re interested in booking a Skellig island visit, explore the rest of the Skellig Coast Adventures website today. We provide two different tours to these renowned islands and our Skellig experiences are incredible. Whether you want to disembark a vessel and climb the famous steps of Skellig Michael or you want to tour along the Skellig Coast, we have the perfect solution for you.
It couldn’t be easier to book one of our Skellig island tours either and you can simply click the ‘book your adventure today’ button at the top of our website to get started. You will find everything you need to know about each of our tours on our site, from the departure times of the vessels to the clothing you need to wear. We look forward to meeting you and showing you just how amazing the Skellig islands are.