Dingle & Great Blasket Island: Speed Boat Tour with Island Landing

Summary

Speed boat to Great Blasket Island caves dolphins seals & village

You’ll speed across Dingle Bay with a small group, spot dolphins and sea birds along dramatic cliffs, then land by dinghy on Great Blasket Island to wander its abandoned village and watch wild seals lounging nearby. With local guides leading and plenty of time to explore at your own pace, this tour leaves space for quiet moments—and maybe some laughter at your own muddy boots.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the slap of salt air as we zipped out of Dingle Harbour—someone behind me let out a whoop and our guide, Tomás, just grinned like he’d heard it a thousand times. The water was choppy but not scary, and the coastline kept shifting—sharp green cliffs, then these weird dark caves that looked like something from an old story. Tomás slowed down so we could peer inside one, and I swear you could smell seaweed and cold stone. He pointed out where Fungie the dolphin used to swim (he got a bit quiet there), and then we sped up again. I lost track of time just watching birds wheel above us.

Landing on Great Blasket Island wasn’t what I pictured—you have to hop into this little dinghy for the last stretch, which made me laugh because my balance is hopeless. The island itself felt almost haunted at first: grass waving in the wind, old stone houses half-collapsed, seals flopped on the beach like they owned it. We wandered through the abandoned village (the OPW keeps it open), and I tried to imagine living here when storms cut you off from everything. There’s a kind of wild peace about it. One of our group tried saying “Blascaod Mór” in Irish and got corrected by a local ranger—everyone laughed except maybe him.

I ate my sandwich sitting on the grass above the cliffs, boots muddy, hands still smelling faintly of rope from the boat. Someone shared binoculars so we could watch seals bobbing in the water below—honestly, I didn’t expect to care about seals but it was weirdly soothing. The weather kept changing—sun one minute, mist rolling in the next—and nobody seemed in any hurry to leave. When we finally piled back into the dinghy for Dingle, my hair was full of salt spray and I felt tired in that good way you do after being outside all day. Still think about that view over the island rooftops sometimes… you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dingle Bay and Great Blasket Island Tour

• Depart from Dingle Marina at 11:00 am
• Eco tour around Blasket Islands and coastline
• Spot Fungi the Dolphin and marine wildlife
• Land on Great Blasket Island at 12:30 pm
• Explore abandoned village and island sights
• Depart Great Blasket Island at 4:00 pm
• Return to Dingle by 5:30 - 6:00 pm

Top questions

How long is the Dingle to Great Blasket Island tour?

The round trip lasts approximately 6 hours including boat travel and 3.5–4 hours on Great Blasket Island.

Is lunch included on the Great Blasket Island tour?

No lunch is provided; bring your own food for your time on the island.

How many people are on each speed boat tour?

The maximum group size is 12 passengers per tour.

Is there hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is included; tours depart directly from Dingle Marina near the Fungie statue.

Do you see wildlife like dolphins or seals?

Yes, dolphins (including Fungie’s old haunt), whales, porpoises, sea birds, and grey seals are commonly spotted along the route.

Is there a guide during the tour?

Yes, local guides lead both the boat journey and provide information about Great Blasket Island’s history and nature.

What fitness level do I need for this trip?

A moderate level of physical fitness is needed; passengers must transfer into a smaller dinghy upon arrival at Great Blasket Island.

Are binoculars provided for wildlife viewing?

Yes, binoculars are available for guests during the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes a high-speed boat ride with indoor seating for comfort (and warmth if needed), all guidance from local experts throughout both sea journey and island visit, use of binoculars for wildlife spotting—and plenty of free time to explore Great Blasket Island’s village ruins or beaches before returning to Dingle Marina in late afternoon.