Blasket Island tours: 6-hour landing & dolphin spotting

What wildlife can you spot on the way to Great Blasket Island?

You board a speedboat at Dingle Harbour, cruise the bay's caves and coastline for an hour and a half, then land on Great Blasket Island for a 3.5-hour walk through an abandoned village and across open cliffs. The boat waits offshore while you explore, then brings you back to Dingle by early evening. Confirm your departure time the day before, and plan for a moderate walk on uneven ground.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dingle Bay and Great Blasket Island Tour

• Depart from Dingle Marina
• Eco tour around Blasket Islands
• Spot Fungi the Dolphin and wildlife
• Explore caves and rock formations
• Land on Great Blasket Island
• Tour abandoned village and island
• Depart Great Blasket Island
• Return to Dingle Marina

The experience

The boat leaves Dingle Marina at 11am, right below the tourist office next to the Fungie statue, and you're moving almost immediately. The Peig Sayers (a 12-seat Stormforce 11 RIB with an indoor cabin) cuts out into Dingle Bay, and within minutes the coastline starts doing things you didn't expect: caves open up in the cliffs, rock formations narrow into coves, and the water changes color as you move from shallow bays into deeper channels. The first hour is the eco tour part, cruising the peninsula's edge where grey seals haul out on rocks and seabirds work the water. On a clear day you might see porpoises or dolphins. Fungie, the resident bottlenose, has been around these waters for decades, though he's not guaranteed. The boat stays flexible with speed and route depending on what's moving and what the sea allows.

Around 12:30pm you reach the Great Blasket Island, the largest of the archipelago and genuinely remote. No shops, no ferry service, just an abandoned village and 3.5 to 4 hours to walk it. You trans-ship into a smaller dinghy to land on the beach, which takes a few minutes and requires you to step out into the shallows. It's not difficult, but it's part of the deal. Once ashore, the OPW (Office of Public Works) maintains a basic trail through the village ruins, and most people spend the afternoon wandering between stone cottages, reading the history plaques, and sitting on the cliffs looking back toward Dingle. The island is genuinely quiet. Binoculars are available if you want to scan for seals or birds, and the light changes constantly as clouds move across the Atlantic.

The return journey leaves at 4pm, and you're back in Dingle by 5:30 or 6pm. A full day on the water, but the indoor cabin means you can warm up if the weather turns. Groups max out at 12 passengers, so it never feels crowded. The one constraint is that the tour needs a minimum of 10 people to run, and departure times shift depending on weather and sea state, so you'll need to call or message the day before to confirm the exact sailing time. It's not a rigid schedule, and that flexibility is built into how they operate.

What’s included

• The tour includes the speedboat journey from Dingle Harbour, the eco tour of Dingle Bay's caves, coves, and coastline, landing on Great Blasket Island, access to the abandoned village, and the return trip to Dingle.
• Binoculars are available to use.
• The boat has an indoor cabin for warmth and shelter.
• You'll need to confirm your departure time by phone the day before.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SundayDeparts at 11:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 95 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Dingle Bay Speed Boat Tours and Great Blasket Island Experience

Is this one for you?Right for travelers based in or visiting Dingle who want a full day on the water with a real landing and exploration time, not just a scenic cruise. The six-hour commitment and the need to confirm by phone the day before are how the tour stays flexible with weather and sea conditions.

Traveler reviews

4.97★★★★★★★★★★

649 verified traveler reviews

5 ★635

4 ★12

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the boat leave Dingle?

Departure is 11am from Dingle Marina, directly below the tourist office. Confirm the exact time by phone or message the day before, as times vary with weather and sea conditions.

How long is the total trip?

Approximately six hours round trip, including 1.5 hours of cruising, 3.5 to 4 hours on Great Blasket Island, and the return journey.

What's included in the tour?

The speedboat tour, landing on Great Blasket Island, access to the abandoned village (maintained by the OPW), and binoculars are available. Hotel pickup is not included.

How many people go on the tour?

Maximum 12 passengers in the boat. A minimum of 10 passengers is needed for the tour to run. If numbers don't meet the minimum, the tour may be cancelled.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. You'll trans-ship into a smaller dinghy to land on the island, stepping into shallow water, and then walk on uneven ground around the village and cliffs.

What if the weather is bad?

Departure times and routes may change depending on weather and sea conditions. The boat has an indoor cabin to keep you warm and dry. Call ahead to confirm if conditions affect the sailing.

Will I see Fungie the dolphin?

Fungie, the resident bottlenose dolphin, has lived in Dingle Bay for decades. You'll cruise the area where he's known to appear, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What's it like landing on Great Blasket Island?

You transfer into a smaller dinghy and step out into shallow water to reach the beach. Once ashore, you have 3.5 to 4 hours to explore the abandoned village ruins and walk the island's cliffs.