Skellig Michael: How to Visit the Island Monastery
Skellig Michael is a sixth-century monastery built on a rock pyramid 12 kilometres off the Kerry coast. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monks who lived here chose the most extreme location they could find on the edge of Europe and built beehive huts out of dry stone that have survived 1,400 years of Atlantic storms.
Getting there is the challenge. Only 180 people can land per day. The boats sail only when the weather allows - roughly 65% of scheduled sailings actually land. You need to book months in advance, accept that the sea may cancel your plans, and be fit enough to climb 600 stone steps with no handrails. If all of that works, it is one of the most extraordinary places in Europe.
What to Expect
The boat ride from Portmagee takes about 45 minutes. You cross open Atlantic and pass Little Skellig, which is covered in gannets - roughly 30,000 pairs. The smell reaches you before the island does.
Landing on Skellig Michael involves stepping from the boat onto a concrete pier. In calm conditions this is straightforward. In swell it requires timing and nerve. The boatmen are experienced and will tell you when to step.
From the pier you climb. The South Steps are 600 stone slabs laid by monks over a thousand years ago. There are no handrails. The drop on either side is real. It takes about 20 minutes at a steady pace. At the top, the monastery sits on a ledge 218 metres above the sea. Six beehive huts, two oratories, a graveyard, and views to the horizon in every direction.
OPW guides are stationed at the monastery and give free talks about the site. Take one - the context transforms what you are seeing.
The honest negative: cancellation rates are high. Roughly one in three booked trips does not land due to weather. The Atlantic swell can be considerable even on days that look calm from shore. Sea sickness is common. The climb is physically demanding and there is no shade, no shelter, and no water on the island. Bring a packed lunch, waterproofs, and sturdy shoes with grip.
How to Get There
All landing tours depart from Portmagee marina on the Iveragh Peninsula. Portmagee is 75 km from Killarney (1 hour 15 minutes) via the N70 and R565. There is no public transport to Portmagee.
Fifteen licensed boats operate, each carrying 12 passengers. Most depart between 8am and 10am. The crossing takes 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on sea conditions. Book directly with operators - prices range from EUR 100 to EUR 140 per person.
If the landing is cancelled, consider the eco-tour instead. These circle both Skellig islands without landing and cost EUR 60-70. They run more frequently and cancel less often. The Skellig Experience visitor centre on Valentia Island is the onshore alternative.
Where to Stay Nearby
Portmagee is the practical base - stay the night before to be at the marina early. Cahersiveen is 15 minutes away with more options. Killarney is possible but means a very early start.
Right on the Portmagee waterfront. The restaurant serves excellent seafood. Walk to the marina in two minutes.
Check availability →What Else is Nearby
A Note on the History
The monastery was founded in the sixth or seventh century. The monks chose Skellig Michael for its isolation - a deliberate retreat from the world to be closer to God. They built their community entirely from dry stone, without mortar, on a ledge barely wider than a tennis court.
The monastery was raided by Vikings in 823 AD. The monks eventually abandoned the island in the twelfth century and moved to Ballinskelligs on the mainland. UNESCO inscribed it in 1996. Star Wars filmed here in 2014 and 2015, which brought global attention but also pressure on the fragile site. Visitor numbers are now strictly capped.
Frequently Asked Questions
