) to insert bird names in your own language. The birdnames will automatically be translated for other users!
Upload images
Allowed image types are jpeg,png,gif
Max file size is 20MB
Description
The Skellig Islands are two small, steep, and rocky islands lying about 13 km west of Bolus Head on the Iveragh Peninsula. The larger of the two is Skellig Michael which, together with Little Skellig, is at the centre of a 364-hectare Important Bird Area established by BirdWatch Ireland in 2000. The smaller of the two islands is Little Skellig. It is Ireland's largest Northern Gannet colony with almost 30,000 pairs. Little Skellig is closed to the public, but it is possible to circle the island by boat. Skellig Michael can be visited on foot.
Both of the Skellig islands are known for their seabird colonies, and together compose one of the most important seabird sites in Ireland. Among the breeding birds are European Storm Petrel, Northern Fulmar, Northern Gannet, Manx Shearwater, Kittiwake, Common Guillemot, Razorbill and Atlantic Puffin (with 4,000 or more puffins on Skellig Michael alone). Black Guillemot, Red-billed Chough and Rock Pipit can also be seen.
The Atlantic Puffin arrive on the island in late spring and Northern Gannet start to arrive on the small Skelligs in March. By April, they have covered every available ledge on the island.
Details
Access
Boats tours leave from Valentia Island. The 'Skellig Michael Boat Tour' (from € 42 pp) around the Skellig Islands (Skellig Michael and Little Skelligs Nature Reserve) has multiple departure times throughout the day. The boat tour lasts approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes and circles both islands. On the 'Skellig Michael Landing Tour' (from € 115 pp) you get off the boat and step on to the island of Skellig Michael. The Skellig Boat Tour season runs from April to end September. See for prices, schedule and tickets the links below.