blasket islands boat trips

The Great Blasket Island Experience

The most thrilling way to see Dingle Bay; experience the outstanding natural beauty of the Dingle coastline, paired with an exciting speed boat blast.  The Great Blasket Island Experience – a speedboat Eco Tour & Island landing – departs Dingle Marina, touring the beautiful Peninsula coastline to the Great Blasket Island.

 Experiencing fresh Atlantic sea air, breathtaking views, staggering cliffs and wildlife that is native to the Dingle shores.

Approximately 6 hour round trip @ €80 per person, we depart Dingle Marina daily at 11am (directly below Dingle Tourist Office, next to the Fungie the Dolphin statue).

• Touring significant geological spots – exploring cliffs, coves and formations that are over millions of year old.
• Taking a wide arch out the bay, we cover deep sea ground where whales, dolphins, porpoises and an abundance of sea birds are likely to feed.
• In settled weather conditions we will visit puffins on Inishvickillane.
•  Reaching the Great Blasket Island, we tour the Northern shore which is a hot-spot for Grey seal activity.
• Passengers land on the Great Blasket Island  for 3.5 to 4 hours  where they can take a guided tour of the abandoned village provided by OPW guides and explore the many wonders the Island has to offer.

A complimentary Tea/Coffee is provided for all our customers and use of bathroom facilities. 

No rush or time restraints for a personal easy going trip with a  maximum capacity of 12 passengers. The ‘Peig Sayers’ Stormforce 11 is the flagship of the Redbay range, offering the best that RIBs can offer.  We have 12 seated indoor cabin for those who want to keep dry and warm.  The Peig Sayers incorporates quality, speed, safety and comfort.  You are not seeing the best of Ireland unless you catch it from the water.

Please be aware that the Midges (flying insects) are particularly bad in August & September. Please make sure you bring insect repellent & are well sprayed before departing.

This trip requires at least 9 passengers to operate. If this minimum is not met, the trip is subject to cancellation. 

Dunquin collection for overnight guests only.

Now offering Dunquin to the Great Blasket Island return trip for overnight guests only. Direct crossing taking approximately 20 minutes @ €35 per adult, €20 per child and under 4’s go free. Collection time depends on tide so please call for more information and please be flexible. If times do not suit, we may be able to arrange alternate transfer to suit schedules, however additional charges will incur. In the event of bad weather, this is not an option. 

Once arrived at Dunquin, please park at available spot, walk straight past hut (different ferry company) and  down the windy path to the bottom of the pier, where we will be in a bright orange boat called the Peig Sayers (as seen below)

Please note we highly recommend overnight guests take our transfer option from Dunquin to the Great Blasket Island.

When taking the Dingle transfer, we CANNOT guarantee a Dingle return due to number of day tour passengers. In this case, guests WILL BE returned to Dunquin regardless of their  departure point. We coincide the Dunquin collection with the tide. Please contact Alice for more information on Dunquin collection schedules. Please be flexible with times. 

Bookings Notes:

Please note before booking, passengers/guests must have a valid working email or contact number in the event we need to contact them. as conditions can be very unsettled, please contact a day before departure to confirm sailings., please be aware that we use 6.5 hours as a guideline for our tour. departure and return times may vary depending on a variety of factors and be aware we may and often do get delayed..

Boat Cancellation: 

Any booking canceled within 14 days to 48 hours before arrival half booking fee will be taken.

Any booking canceled less than 48 hours before arrival will be fully charged.

From 1st May 2020 there is a 5% non refundable booking fee.

Billy will determine a cancellation due to rough seas ONLY. Please be aware we do not accept cancellations in the event of rain or cloudy weather if we are still able to cross from either Dingle OR Dunquin.

Sailing times WILL VARY in the event of bad weather. Tide and sea conditions dictate our business and sailing times, so please be flexible. Cancellations will not be approved or refunded if a sailing time does not suit.

I understand if on the morning of sailing and visibility is poor , I will not receive a refund if I decide not go on the tour or reschedule seats. It is at the Skippers discretion to cancel tour due to rough seas ONLY .

Join us on this amazing Island

Great blasket island experience – unique boat tours and accommodation..

The Great Blasket Island is a remote Island located off the Dingle Peninsula. With over 1,100 acres of unspoiled largely mountainous terrain, the Great Blasket Island is approximately 4 miles long by 1/2 mile wide. Now classified as a Special Area of Conservation, it is home to an abundance of wildlife and fauna. This uninhabited Island is thriving with Irish history, heritage and life.  Take one of our popular  Great Blasket Island Boat Tours or overnight in unique self catering accommodation, immersing yourself in the ultimate Irish getaway.

The Great Blasket Island is one of the most remote parts of the Irish Language Speaking areas of Corca Dhuibhne. Although deserted since 1953 it is famous for the abundance of literature produced by the Irish speaking inhabitants who will live on forever through the documentation by them of the extraordinary details of their ordinary lives

“ Dheineas mo dhícheall an chuntas cruinn a chur síos ar an dream a raibh aithne agam ortha, ionas go mbeadh cuimhne orainn ar Shlí na Fírinne ”  Peig Sayers 1873- 1958

We offer two day tours options:

Premium Day Tour:  The most comprehensive full day in Dingle Bay. Experience the natural beauty touring the coastline and rugged cliffs of the Wild Atlantic Way all to the Great Blasket Island.

Includes: Marine & bird life, cave & cove explorations, outer Blasket Islands, 4 hour Great Blasket landing, complimentary tea/coffee and use of Island facilities. 

Direct Ferry:

A direct transfer option: a fast 45 minute guided ferry from Dingle Bay to Great Blasket Island. Stopping with any wildlife enroute, this is for those who wish to experience less boat time and more Island exploring. A great option for families and walkers.  

[email protected]    +353 85 2805202

Blasket Island Ferries

dunquin pier

A magical trip to The Blasket Island

SEASON 2024 

9th MAY to 22nd of SEPTEMBER

Relax and soak in the breathtaking views of the most westerly lands in Europe while listening to the calls of the huge number of breeding seabirds such as Puffins, Fulmars, Guillemots, Storm Petrels and Shearwaters. The island is also home to one of the largest Grey Seal colonies in Ireland. Come and enjoy this remote and unspoiled beauty firsthand and we promise you an experience never to be forgotten. The O.P.W offer free guided walking tours around the island village at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm lasting approx 45 minutes.

ADULT TICKET        CHILD TICKET

         € 40                   €30        

Ferry Trips from Cé Dhún Chaoin/ Dunquin Pier to

An Blascaod Mór/The Great Blasket Island:

      Depart Dunquin Pier           Depart Island               

 9:50 am                          2:15pm

      10:50 am                         3:15pm      

11:50am                         4:15pm

12:50pm                         5:15pm

There are set return times for each trip due to limited seating onboard.  Ticket collection for prebooked seats can be made up to 15 minutes before departure from our blue office at the top of Dunquin Pier. Street parking available at no charge.

A quick 20 minute crossing and visitors get to enjoy approx 3hrs 45mins on the island.  To book your seats, once you have read carefully the important info section below, please call or email us with your preferred date/departure time and your mobile number. No need for payment until the day as our service is weather permitting. We will get in touch the evening before your trip to confirm your booking, once we get the latest updates for sea and weather conditions.  To cancel your booking, we require 24 hours notice.

WILD CAMPING

For those interested in 'Wild Camping ' on The Great Blasket Island, departure times from Dunquin Pier are 2:30pm and 3:30pm and pick up the following day at 10:05am or 11:05am. A fresh water source is available at the island village.  To book your seats, call or email us to check availability for your preferred date/time. 

Please note that the toilet facilities have reopened on the island. We advise bringing  a packed lunch, bottled water, insect repellent, light rain gear (just in case!) and wearing comfortable walking/hiking shoes with good grip. Flipflops and slip-on shoes are not suitable for the trip! 

IMPORTANT INFO!

This trip is NOT suitable for people with mobility/joint issues or for those with heart conditions/recent surgeries. You must be sure of your footing as the pathway down to Dunquin Pier is quite steep, along with  parts of the island terrain, which can also be uneven in places. Passenger safety is our priority and we advise that it's best to avoid the trip if you have any of the above issues. After reaching the island, passengers are required to transfer from the Lady Avalon to an 8 passenge r rib to access the shallower waters at the island slip way and when the tide is low at Dunquin Pier passengers are transported by rib to the ferry which is moored close by.

The ferry trip is suitable for adults and children 7 years of age and above.

A Little About Us

All vessels operated by Blasket Island Ferries are inspected annually by marine surveyors of the Irish Department of Marine. We are a family run business and operate a passenger ferry 'Lady Avalon' from Cé Dhún Chaoin/Dunquin Pier to An Blascaod Mór/The Great Blasket Island. Over the last thirty years, more than 80% of passengers landing on the island travelled with Blasket Island Ferries.  Our passenger vessel operating from Dunquin Pier to The Great Blasket Island was purpose designed and built as an inshore Island ferry and boasts a comprehensive intergrated electronic navigation package. We look forward to welcoming you aboard!  

R    * Trip is suitable for adults and children 7 years of age and above.

*Please note that after reaching the island, visitors are transferred from our ferry Lady Avalon to a smaller 8 passenger rib to access the shallower waters of the island slipway.

*As the island terrain is steep and uneven in places we advise that this trip is not suitable for those with heart conditions and/or mobility issues.

     €40 per A dult

 € 30 per Child

Booking is advised!

Ferry service is weather permitting.  

Hourly ferry trips from 9.50am every day (Weather permitting) times may vary due to demand. we strongly advise to email ahead of time to reserve your seats!

Season 2024 runs from 9th May to 22nd September

Suitable for those interested in hiking, walking,birdwatching and nature lovers.

Lots of tracks and trails to follow on the island and a beautiful white sandy beach called An Tra Ban/The White Strand, which is home to one of Ireland's largest Grey Seal colonies. We kindly ask all island visitors to stay a minimum of 50 metres away from the seals. This ensures that they will stay on the beach, undisturbed, so everyone can enjoy seeing them.                 

Testimonials and Reviews

Grabbed the ferry from Dunquin Pier in May with my friends, had an absolutely amazing time! Crew were very friendly and they took great care of us. The island itself was beautiful, very peaceful and we saw hundreds of grey seals up on the beach. Took a guided walking tour around the little island village which was great fun and free! Definitely going back to visit again. Great trip!

Sarah Kenny

I had amazing weekend one of the best in my life and I will remember it for a long time. What a place everyone should visit this beautiful island because words and pictures cant describe atmosphere of Blasket Island. So happy that I had chance to spend time in this little heaven thank you guys for made our trip on the boat more exciting by letting us go to the front of the boat - I did love it!!!

Kasia Katarzyna  

Many thanks to Blasket Island Ferries for a wonderful trip. The staff were helpful and friendly. Booking was very simple especially as contact could be made through FB. I'll definitely make a trip again.

Katherine Ross

Took a boat trip with Blasket Island Ferries with my husband and we had an absolute blast. Very easy to make a booking through Facebook and we were kept updated on weather conditions. Amazing scenery and we did a hike around the first peak on the island. Definitely recommending this trip to all my friends!

Emma  Flaherty

Dunquin Pier, Co. Kerry. Ireland

[email protected]

+353 (85) 2805202

Dunquin Pier to the Great Blasket Islands

Blasket Ferry & Island Tours

Welcome to Blasket Ferry & Island Tours. We provide a ferry service from  Dunquin Pier to The Great Blasket Islands.

We run 3 daily trips from Dunquin Pier to the Blaskets, weather permitting.

Explore the Great Blasket Islands

Welcome to Blasket Ferry & Island Tours. Travel with us and explore the Great Blasket Islands. Our purpose built Ferry, La Gem, was built with the safety and comfort of our passengers as paramount.

Dunquin Pier to Blasket Islands

• Depart: 11:00 AM
• Return: 14:30 PM
• Depart: 12:00 PM
• Return: 15:30 PM
• Depart: 13:00 PM
• Return: 16:30 PM

La Gem is a custom built, fully licensed vessel. It can carry 12 passengers and 2 crew members. It was built by Murphy Marine Services in Valentia with the safety and comfort of our customers as paramount. The skipper is fully qualified and has an experienced deckhand with unsurpassed knowledge of the Blaskets.

Dunquin Pier to The Blasket:

We provide three ferry services a day from Dunquin Pier: For people who would like 3.5 hrs exploring the Great Blasket Islands our ferry departs Dunquin Pier at 11.00 a.m 12.00 p.m and 1.00 p.m and returns at 2.30 p.m 3.30 p.m and 4.30 p.m. The cost of this ferry service is €40 p.p

Blasket Island Gallery

Our Happy Clients!

“Lovely comfortable ferry trip from the beautiful Dunquin Pier to the Blaskets “

“Nice comfortable boat for the journey to the Blaskets.”

“Great to see so many seals from the boat”

Enjoy an Unforgettable Experience on The Great Blasket Islands

Travel with Blasket Ferry and Island Tours 

Call to book Your trip Now

• 087 360 0562

A Guide To The Blasket Islands In Kerry: The Ferry, Things To Do + Accommodation

By Author Andy Revell

Posted on Last updated: December 30, 2023

If you’re thinking about visiting the Blasket Islands in Kerry, you’ve landed in the right place.

Ireland is home to many ruggedly remote nooks and crannies, but few are as isolated as the Blasket Islands in Kerry.

Offering a real chance for adventure, or a short trip to a place that time almost forgot, visiting the islands is an incredible experience.

In the guide below, you’ll discover everything from where to grab the Blasket Islands ferry (to the Great Blasket Island) to what there is to see and do on the island.

Some quick need-to-knows about the Blasket Islands

Photo by Danita Delimont on Shutterstock

So, a visit to the Blasket Islands is a little less straightforward that a visit to some of Kerry’s other islands, like Valentia Island . 

Pay particular attention to the ‘getting there’ section, as there are a few different companies offering ferries to the Blaskets.

1. Location

There are 6 principal Blasket islands, all located west of the Dingle Peninsula in Kerry. The largest, An Blascaod Mór or the Great Blasket, lies around 2 km from Dunmore Head, on the mainland.

The island of Tearaght is the most easterly point of the Republic of Ireland, though it remains uninhabited.

2. The Great Blasket Island

The name gives it away slightly, but the Great Blasket Island is indeed the largest of the 6 main Blasket Islands. It’s also the one that you can visit, either as a day trip or an overnight stay.

The Great Blasket Island was inhabited until 1953 by a hardy Irish-speaking population of mostly fishermen and farmers. Nowadays, much of the old village lies in ruins, though some houses have been restored and are open for visitors.

3. Getting to the Great Blasket Island

So, you’ll need to take a ferry to the Great Blasket Island. There are a few options to choose from (Dingle and Dun Chaoin ), and we’ll take a look in more detail a little further down. 

I’ll level with you here; the main reason the last inhabitants were forced to abandon the island was because of bad weather.

Open and exposed to the whims of the mighty Atlantic, it can get pretty wild on the island. Ferries don’t sail unless the conditions are good enough, so you’ll need a fine summer’s day if you’re planning to visit.

A speedy history of the Great Blasket Island

Photo by Remizov on Shutterstock

The Great Blasket Island has a long and rich history going back many hundreds of years and it’s widely regarded as one of the best, off-the-beaten-path of the many Kerry attractions .

There’s evidence of a Ferriter castle dating back to the 13th century, but it’s likely that the islands were inhabited much earlier than that. 

Life on the island

With the wild Atlantic crashing upon the shores of Great Blasket Island, conditions were tough. Life was hard, but not without its joys, and for many eventual settlers, it was a welcome change from the hardships they had to endure on the mainland.

Having said that, islanders would have to regularly contend with harsh weather, the 3-mile sea crossing to the mainland, and the long walks to see a doctor or priest. 

Survival and fine traditions

Most families survived by fishing, though sheep and cows were also reared on the island, and some islanders even grew potatoes and oats — though the land wasn’t ideal for agriculture.

Music and dancing played an important role in staving off boredom while storytelling kept their culture alive through the cold winter nights.

Sadly, by the 1940s, extremes of weather, as well as immigration of younger generations, had forced many to leave the island, and on November 17th, 1953, the remaining residents were officially evacuated to the mainland.

The home of literary heavyweights

Nowadays, the Great Blasket Island is known for producing a number of fantastic writers. Three of the most notable examples are; Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Peig Sayers and Muiris Ó Súilleabháin.

Their works vividly tell the tale of life on the harsh island while keeping the ancient folk legends of that rugged land alive. It’s said that the islanders spoke the most poetic form of Irish of all the Irish-speaking regions.

As an Irish-speaking island, their works were originally written in Irish, each with a wonderfully poetic way with words that seems to flow through the blood of the islanders. If you’re not fluent in Irish, you can still enjoy them — here are three favourites:

• Machnamh Seanamhná (An Old Woman’s Reflections, Peig Sayers , 1939)
• Fiche Bliain Ag Fás (Twenty Years A-Growing, Muiris Ó Súilleabháin , 1933)
• An tOileánach (The Islandman, Tomás Ó Criomhthain , 1929)

The Blasket Island Ferry

Photo by Wil Tilroe-Otte on Shutterstock

To get to the Great Blasket Island, there are 2 ferry services, both of which operate throughout the summer months, typically from April until September.

They’ll only sail in good weather though, so if conditions are rough, you’ll have to wait until things settle down a bit.

It’s essential to book your ferry in advance, as spots can get taken up pretty quickly. At low tide, you may have to take a raft to the landing stage of the island, as there’s no pier.

Option 1: The Ferry from Dun Chaoin Pier (April – Sept 24th)

Operated by Blasket Island Ferries , this twin-engine passenger ferry has space for 48 passengers and is fully equipped with lifeboats, life vests, and quality radio gear.

It departs from Dunquin Pier (Cé Dún Chaoin) from 9:50 every day, with crossings more or less every hour — as long as the weather is good anyway!

A return ticket costs €40 for ages 16 and over, and the crossing typically takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on the conditions at sea (check times and prices in advance).

Option 2: The Eco Ferry (April – Oct)

The Eco Ferry , operated by the similarly named Blasket Islands Ferry, is another good choice at around €59.

With space for 44 passengers, the twin-engined craft is up to date with all the required safety features. There’s space on take to look out for sea life along the way.

It sails daily from Ventry, Ceann Trá Pier, with crossing typically taking around an hour. The morning crossing departs at 10:00 and returns at 15:00, while the afternoon crossing departs at 12:30 and returns at 17:30. 

Things to do on the Great Blasket Island

Photo by Madlenschaefer (Shutterstock)

There’s a handful of things to do on the Great Blasket Island that make it well worth venturing over to.

Now, some of these may be hampered by the weather, if you visit when it’s pouring down, but if you visit when it’s fine, you’ll be laughing.

1. Soak up the views (and the silence)

One of the beauties of the Great Blasket Island is that, as it’s a  little  off-the-beaten-path, it doesn’t attract huge crowds.

The beauty of this is that the island is rarely awash with hoards of tourists, so you’ll be able to walk in peach and enjoy the magnificent views of the Kerry coastline.

2. The Blasket Island Looped Walk

The Great Blasket Island Looped Walk is a 3.5 – 4 hour walk that takes you along a very old trail and treats you to magnificent views.

This is a  fairly  handy walk and it’ll suit most fitness levels. Now, for some reason, we can’t find any good guide to this walk online.

If you fancy giving it a go, ask for directions on the ferry over and they’ll be able to point out where to start and what route to take.

3. The Eco Marine Tour

If you’re in search of unique things to do on the Blasket Islands, the Eco Marine Tour should tickle your fancy.

Everything from porpoises and common dolphins to Orcas (occasionally) can be seen in the waters around the Blasket Islands at certain times of the year.

This tour is a great way to see the island from a unique perspective and, if the weather is fine, you’ll be treated to great views throughout. 

4. The most westerly coffee shop in Europe

Photo via Blasket Islands Cafe

Yes, the most westerly coffee shop in Europe. Now there’s a title to be proud of! If you’re on the island and in need of a pick-me-up (or if you’re feeling chilly), head to the cafe.

The Blasket Islands Cafe shot to fame several years ago when it advertised the ‘Best Job in the World’ while looking for two people to live in the island accommodation and run the cafe.

Blasket Island Accommodation

Photo via Airbnb

To truly experience the haunting beauty of the Blasket Islands, you’ve got to spend at least a night or two there.

The Blasket Islands experience is something I keep hearing about over and over again. The cottage sleeps 7, so it’s perfect for a group heading away for a weekend with a difference.

Note: if you book a stay through the links above, we’ll make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.

The Blasket Island Centre

Photos via the Blasket Centre on Facebook

To fully enjoy the Blasket Islands, you’ll need to be reasonably fit; there are no roads, no ramps, and it’s mostly wild land.

However, even if you’re not up for the rigours of the island, you can still immerse yourself in its culture and history at the Blasket Island Centre .

Located along the Slea Head drive , you can see the Great Blasket out over the ocean. Within the centre, discover the story of the islands and the people that called them home.

FAQs About the Blasket Islands

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from where to get the Blasket Islands Ferry to whether or not the Great Blasket Island is worth visiting. 

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

Can you stay on the Blasket Islands?

You can stay on the Great Blasket Island, but typically only over the summer months. There are 4 self-catering cottages that have been lovingly restored, but you can also wild camp.

What is there to do on Blasket Island?

The Great Blasket Island is a place to escape the modern world. Here you can truly enjoy an unspoiled nature. There are hiking trails and plenty of opportunities to catch a glimpse of seals, dolphins, whales and even basking sharks.

You’ll also see a stunning array of birds and other island wildlife. Tours of the abandoned village offer an intriguing insight into the history of the island, and a small cafe provides refreshments.

How do you get to Great Blasket Island?

There are a number of ferries and boat tours that can take you to the Great Blasket Island, departing from a number of ports on the mainland.

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Great Blasket Islands - Boat Trips & Island Landings

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Great Blasket Islands - Boat Trips & Island Landings - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Journey to the Blasket Islands

Join us on a boat tour to this County Kerry wonder

The Blasket Islands-Na Blascaodaí

A boat trip to the Blasket Islands

Famous for its literature, scenery and wildlife, the Blasket Islands in County Kerry offer an unmissable experience for the adventurous traveller. The best way to see them? Jump on a boat tour from Dingle!

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“It’s one of the most dangerous stretches of water in Europe,” says our skipper, Billy. “The currents here can be quite bad, the water rushes in like a river.” We’re bobbing about in the Blasket Sound aboard the “Peig Sayers” Stormforce 11 RIB speed boat as part of the Great Blasket Island Experience tour .

Ahead of us lies the cloud-darkened mass of the Great Blasket Island, which writer Seán Ó Faoláin once described as “wallowing like a whale in the darkening sea”. Its steep slope is strewn with broken-down cottages; a place suspended in the past.

The weather hasn’t been on our side for the trip out here. For more than an hour, we’ve rolled over silver-tipped Atlantic waves that have slapped the boat and caused varying degrees of sea-sickness in some of the passengers on board. We’ve passed ancient forts, jagged sea cliffs and majestic rock formations along the coast of the Dingle Peninsula , but the green faces tell their own story.

“Just sit down when you get onto land,” Billy says kindly as he helps the unwell onto a dinghy for the final journey to the island. “That’s all you can do… it will pass.”

Great Blasket Island © Tourism Ireland

For centuries, the Great Blasket Island was home to a community of people for whom crossing these waters was a way of life. It’s thought that the islands were first inhabited in the 1700s, but by 1954, the population had dwindled from a peak of 176 in 1916 to just 22 – and they were ready to depart for a new life on the mainland.

“There was no option but to leave,” islander Gearóid Cheaist Ó Catháin told the Irish Times in 2014. The isolation of the Great Blasket locals was tested by the death a young man from meningitis; bad weather meant he couldn’t access medical care, nor could they access a coffin for him after his death. “People got scared. They were getting old and the isolation started to get to a lot of them.”

Dinghy to the Great Blasket Islands

Billy helps visitors into the island

Crossing in the dinghy under an ashen sky, it’s easy to appreciate a small bit of the unpredictability of life here, where summers must have been glorious and winters dark and brutal. A simple landing on the island at the small harbour is an adventure in itself. After that, it’s a steep hike up the slippy, jagged rocks, followed by a sharp grassy incline that causes even the fittest of the group to pause for breath.

Great Blasket Island pier

Out in the ocean rises the archipelago of misty-green islands: Inis na Bró, An Tiaracht, Inis Tuaisceart. To our left and right is the abandoned village of broken-down cottages that seem to be slowly being consumed by the landscape. I wait behind as our group trails on up the ridge. It’s suddenly eerily silent but for the mournful bellows from the island’s colony of grey seals.

It’s hard to imagine the Great Blasket as a hive of activity, but at its peak 30 houses were wedged into the side of this hill, as well as cattle, sheep, donkeys and poultry. Smoke would have puffed out of cottage chimneys, villagers would have been hard at work, children’s voices would have been heard.

Today, it’s a different world.

Abandoned village on Great Blasket Island

Tomás Ó Criomhthain’s restored cottage

Usually, a visit to the Blaskets would begin with a tour and talk from an OPW guide, but this is weather permitting, and the rough sea conditions today have limited the amount of boats crossing over. After spending some time exploring the cottages, I decide to undertake the 90-minute walking route around the island’s precipitous hills.

Great Blasket Island hills

The grassy path leads away from the village towards the cliffs and as I venture along, a pack of strange flies dance around my head, my boots are filled with muddy water from several missteps, and the warm, windless air becomes thick with midges.

But what beauty there is here, with heather-flecked hills that tumble down to a flinty sea studded with misty-green islands.

For the 90 minutes I’m walking, I don’t meet a single soul.

Views from the Great Blasket Island

The beauty of the Blaskets has been written about extensively, but while the island is large, the liveable bit of it feels quite small. Instead, the vast bulk of the Great Blasket is made up of cliffs, hills and bog. Living in this environment was challenging, and it wasn’t uncommon for islanders to fall to their deaths. The son of one of the Blasket’s most famous writers , Peig Sayer, died while pulling heather on one of the slopes here in 1920.

As I round the southern edge, the village comes into view and the white of writer Tomás Ó Criomhthain’s restored cottage looks remarkable against the almost otherworldly green of the grass. It’s extravagantly, heart-stoppingly beautiful. I’ve just enough time to walk down to where the cliffs overlook the pale sands of the beach, and sit and watch the seals while having my lunch.

Visitors relaxing on the island

Chris from The Great Blasket Island Experience

Back in the boat, Billy is eager to get us going to see some of the area’s wildlife. With the engine off, we bob about close to shore while the seals pop up their heads as if engaged in an endless game of whack-a-mole.

The grey seal colony here is now the largest in Ireland, but these playful creatures only moved in after the humans left. In the past, they would have been hunted by islanders, who used to roast their meat for food and use their skins and oil.

Seal at the Blasket Islands

Billy hopes we’ll spot more wildlife, but he’s managing our expectations and says he doesn’t fancy our chances. Still, off we set at high speed, heading towards what feels like the horizon. “We’re looking for where the gulls are feeding, where the fish are”, Billy explains as he scans the stony water, eyes narrowed, attention fully focussed.

It feels like we’re suspended between moments of stillness and mad dashes after something imperceptible. Astonishingly, we suddenly find ourselves surrounded by a frenzy of common dolphins, with Billy excitedly telling us how they round their fish into a circle, bunching them tighter and tighter before taking turns to feed.

Dolphin pod

A dolphin's dorsal fin breaching the surface

As we’re enjoying the dolphin activity, a huge sleek, basalt-coloured hump breaches the surface of the water and with it comes an almost overwhelming stench of putrid fish – a minke whale. “That’s why they’re called ‘stinky minkys’m lads. Can you smell him?”, laughs Billy. It’s an exhilarating sight, with all of us transfixed and gasping whenever we see the whale.

Gannet in flight

Sea birds swoop overhead, and Billy points out manx shearwaters, storm petrels and gannets, who torpedo the water around us. He’s hoping for a humpback to make an appearance, but we’re all so high on wildlife, we don’t care. “Wow, lads, look at that,” Billy suddenly shouts.

“It’s a skua – wow, that’s so rare, that’s a much better sight than the minke whale.” We watch as the great skua – often described as the pirate of the sea – harasses a smaller bird in an effort to get it to drop or regurgitate its food, which it then scoops up.

Sea arch, Dingle Peninsula

Cliffs near Dingle

Nobody minds when, after around an hour, Billy suggests we head back to town. We know we’ve done well. A satisfied calm takes over the boat as we chug our way to Dingle under royal blue skies, stopping to spend a few moments under the incredible sea cliffs and craggy sea arches on the peninsula’s coastline.

Stepping off the boat in Dingle, we’re all exhausted but utterly delighted with ourselves. It feels like the day has been spent on another planet, and it takes a while to adjust to the busy town. But a few hours later, sitting around the crackling warmth of the fire at Foxy John’s , I’m already planning my return.

The Blaskets keep calling.

Where do you want to go?

Do you feel like tasting wild Atlantic sea spray on your lips? Strolling through vibrant city streets? Exploring ancient ruins? Right this way…

Please Note: Booking is advised for ferry

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• Brief History

Island Life

Hiking/beach, blasket island weaver, blasket island ferries.

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• Blasket Islands Adventure

Dingle Bay Cliff Tour

Mini eco tour, private charter, sparkling sunset cruise, wildlife tour.

• What To Expect

DINGLE DOLPHIN BOAT TOURS   

The Real Dingle Boating Experience 

Boat Tours in Dingle

Looking for a fun tour in Dingle full of interesting history and breath-taking scenery? Come join us on one of our top-class adventure boat tours that you soon won’t forget

Blasket Island Adventure Tour

Looking for something different while on holiday in Dingle town? Our Blasket Island Adventure Tour is filled with breathtaking scenery and history you won’t want to miss.

New on offer this season is this spectacular tour to see Irish marine wildlife such as different species of seals, dolphins, whales, sharks and sea birds. 

Suitable for all age groups, our Mini Eco-Tour takes you out beyond Dingle Harbour to experience the magnificent cliffs and other landmarks and fascinating local history.

Recommended for families, day-trippers or anyone who wants a taste of Dingle from the water. Our 45 min to 1 hour cliff tour is full of amazing views and plenty of local history.

New this season we are offering a golden hour cruise around Dingle bay with spectacular views and a complimentary glass of prosecco.

Looking for a private tour out on the water? Hire a private boat for you, friends and family. This tour is also suitable for groups such birthday parties, hens and stags.

Who are we?

Established in 1987, Dingle Dolphin Boat Tours are the longest running boat tour association in Dingle with over 30 years’ experience on the sea

What to expect

Want to learn more on what you can expect when coming to Dingle for one of our tours? We have outlined all you need to know from where to park, where we are located and more

Our customer reviews

With 2,500 reviews combined on TripAdvisor and Google reviews we have a 4.6 star rating

“Wonderful Trip to the Blaskets”

We had a wonderful trip to the Blasket Islands with Bren and Gary. And we were so lucky because we saw a humpback whale, dolphins and gray seals. Thank you so much! Bren made the perfect ending by playing some lovely music on his accordion.

Tiffany – 2023

Google Review

“One of the most amazing experiences in my life”

One of the most amazing experiences in my life. The crew was so nice and more then helpful. My 7 year old was the only child on the ship that day and capitan called us up where he was so that my son can see dolphins. Highly recommend 👌

Ivana Cr – 2023

“100% recommend”.

Been on this tour on 2nd of June 2023 and was absolutely fantastic. Thanks Ailbhe for the great commentary and kindness, you were so cool! Always super nice answering our questions. 100% recommend!

Inès Mahfouz – 2023

Certificate of excellence award tripadvisor ’22.

Unit 2, The Pier, Dingle, Kerry, Ireland.

[email protected]

+353 (0)66 915 2626 or +353 (0)85 184 2862

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Privacy Overview

• Blasket Islands

BOOKING ESSENTIAL

Sunset serenity: unwind on dingle's evening boat tour.

Our Guided Tour

What to expect.

What is the duration?

The tour is 2.5 - 3 Hours Long. Please arrive 30 minutes before departure.

What should I bring/wear?

You are advised to dress appropriately, with warm and waterproof clothing. Weather proof clothing and Lifejackets supplied. There is a small dry storage compartment under every seat, should you bring personal belongings or a camera.

Are there toilets on board?

There is one full heads Toilet onboard for passenger comfort.

Are there restrictions?

Please call if you have any underlying health conditions. i.e. Heart, back or Pregnancy

What about the Weather?

All sailings are subject to safe weather conditions. We have the right to cancel any tour. In the case of inclement weather - your fare will be refunded or another date and time will be offered.

There is hand sanitiser available onboard. Trips may be cancelled due to Government Restrictions. Lifejackets are sanitised after every trip.

Duration 2.5hr Departure 9.30am Age 9+

Duration 2.5hr departure 12.30pm / 3.30pm age 9+, booking is essential.

Book now for our exhilarating Wildlife Rib Adventure! Adult €70 Child €55

Dingle Boat Tours Wildlife RIB Adventure

Quick Details

• User Ages: Ages 9+
• Hour Glass Duration: 2.5 Hours
• User Min Height: 130cm

Enjoy close encounters with whales, puffins, seals and dolphins in the wild

Experience the thrill of a 2.5 hour speedboat ride around the Blasket islands onboard our 11.5m RIB.

Looking for the ultimate adventure on the sea? Look no further than our two and a half hour 12 passenger Sea Safari. Join us on an exhilarating tour around the most westerly islands in Europe, where you will encounter magnificent sandstone cliffs, explore hidden sea caves and witness an array of fascinating wildlife, including puffins, seals, dolphins, and even whales (wildlife sightings vary according to the season).

Your Skipper Declan is also a Marine Biologist and will provide you with a wealth of information and be happy to answer all your questions.

So why wait? Book your tour today and experience the thrill of a lifetime!

• Chevron down What to bring

Bring your E-Ticket to the marina office to collect your boarding pass.

Bring extra clothing layers

Waterproof jackets, spray pants and lifejackets are provided.

Related Activities

• MOST POPULAR IN DINGLE BAY!
• Hour Glass 1 Hour
• User All Ages

Harbour & Bay Cruise

Relish the delights of a short boat cruise of Dingle Bay with enlightening commentary on local history and landmarks. As you cruise around Dingle harbour and into the bay, learn about the formation of the cliffs and sea arches, local maritime history, and more! Book your tour online!

• MOST POPULAR IN BLASKET ISLAND!
• Hour Glass 3.5 Hours

Blasket Island Eco Tour

Come with us on this one-of-a-kind educational Blasket eco tour experience! Watch out for dolphins, whales, seals, and other marine life as the guide informs you on the history and folklore of the unique society that was formed on the Blasket islands. Book online today!

• MOST POPULAR FISHING TRIP!
• Hour Glass 2 Hours

2 Hour Fishing Trip

Come fish the waters in Dingle Bay with one of our skippers! Whether you are a novice fisherman or an experienced sea angler, you can experience the thrills of deep-sea fishing in Dingle Bay on board our fully-licensed and equipped angling boats. Book online today!