A family-run, OPW-licensed boat operator running trips from Portmagee to the Skellig Islands since 1965 — either landing on Skellig Michael to climb the monks' 618 steps, or cruising around both islands for the gannets, puffins and monastic ruins.
Little Skellig carries around 30,000 pairs of northern gannets and cannot be landed on — the boat passes within metres. Over 3,000 pairs of puffins nest on Skellig Michael, while guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, grey seals, dolphins and occasional whales turn up on the crossing.
Skellig Michael stood in for Ahch-To, Luke Skywalker's retreat, in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi; parts of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince were also shot in the area. Casey's boats carried crew and equipment for the Star Wars shoots.
A 45-minute crossing from Portmagee marina, then about 2.5 hours ashore — five hours in total. You climb 618 uneven stone steps with no handrails to the monastery; minimum age 14, no dogs, and a stiff OPW safety briefing before you start. Book months ahead.
At the summit sit six dry-stone beehive huts, two oratories, a church and terraced gardens, built by monks between the 6th and 12th centuries. OPW heritage guides are stationed at the foot of the steps and at the site.
The no-landing option: roughly 2.5 hours, with about 45 minutes circling both islands at close range for views of the beehive huts, both 1820s lighthouses and the seabird cliffs. No age or fitness limit, and dogs are welcome on a lead.
A one-hour, sheltered harbour trip (€35, max 12) that stays under 5 km out and is rarely cancelled for weather. Mixes the monks' story, the Kerry Cliffs, Puffin Island, the 1866 Valentia transatlantic cable and local film history.
The departure point is a small, colourful fishing village on the channel facing Valentia Island, with bars, restaurants and a shop a few minutes' walk from the marina. Nearby: Kerry Cliffs, Bray Head, Geokaun Mountain, the Skellig Experience Centre and Portmagee Whiskey.
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