A Kerry Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point

Ballinskelligs Pier

This is a Ferry Crossing Point (Embarkation Point) for The Skellig Islands

There are a number of local boat companies operating boat trips to Skellig Michael Island. Many depart from Portmagee while others leave from Ballinskelligs Pier. The boat trip to Skellig Michael has become increasingly popular since the filming of the StarWars movie scenes there in 2015 and 2016. Skellig Michael is well known as the site of a 7th century Christian monastery. In 1996 it was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site. The boat takes around 1 hour to travel the 12 kilometers out to the island and you usually get around 2 hours on Skellig Michael which is enough time to climb the many steps to the top to see the incredibly well preserved stone beehive huts in which the monks lived and marvel at the tenacity and strength of mind, body and spirit of these holy men.

The smaller of the islands, Little Skellig, is home to over 20,000 nesting gannets.