Ring of Kerry & Skellig Ring Private Day Tour from Dingle

Two coastal routes in one day: the Skellig Ring and the full Ring of Kerry loop

A private day tour of the Iveragh Peninsula and Skellig Ring from Dingle, traveling by car with a live English-speaking guide and driver for eight hours. The tour reaches viewpoints and villages (Rossbeigh Beach, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Ladies View, Coomakista Pass) that bus tours cannot access and most self-guided drivers will miss. Hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included, along with bottled water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ring of Kerry and Skellig Ring

• Visit Rossbeigh Beach
• Drive through Iveragh Peninsula
• Pass by Killorglin town
• Stop at Cahersiveen village
• Drive Skellig Ring coastal route
• Enjoy Skellig Chocolate tasting
• Pass through Waterville village
• Lunch in Portmagee
• Stop at Coomakista Pass viewpoint
• Visit Sneem village
• View Ladies View scenic lookout

The experience

This tour covers two distinct coastal drives in a single day. You start from your hotel or port and head into the Iveragh Peninsula, first tracing the Skellig Ring: a quieter route that runs from Cahersiveen through Ballinskelligs and Waterville, hugging the Atlantic coast with views of the Skellig Islands (the Star Wars filming locations). From there the route loops back through the full Ring of Kerry, stopping at Coomakista Pass for mountain and ocean views, then climbing to Ladies View near Killarney, one of the peninsula's most photographed vistas. The eight-hour day includes stops in villages like Killorglin, Sneem, and Portmagee, where you can break for lunch on your own.

Your driver-guide navigates the narrow coastal roads and mountain passes that larger tour buses cannot take, which is what opens up the Skellig Ring section and the smaller viewpoints along the way. You'll have time to walk Rossbeigh Beach, explore the ruins of Ballinskelligs Abbey, and stop at Skellig Chocolate Factory if the timing works. The route is built around the landscape itself (rugged coastline, mountain passes, and the cultural heritage of the peninsula's villages) rather than a fixed schedule of indoor attractions, so the day adapts to weather and your pace at each stop.

Hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included, as is bottled water for the drive. The tour runs in English with a single guide who knows the history and folklore of the peninsula. Because it's private, the route and stops can shift slightly based on conditions and your interests, though the core loop (Skellig Ring, Ring of Kerry, Ladies View), stays the same.

What’s included

• Private driver-guide in English for the full eight hours.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off.
• bottled water.
• access to the Skellig Ring coastal route and the full Ring of Kerry loop with stops at Rossbeigh Beach, Killorglin, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Coomakista Pass, Sneem, and Ladies View.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

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.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Dingle Slea Head Tours

Is this one for you?Eight hours is a full day, leaving little time for other activities in Dingle itself, but it covers both the Skellig Ring and the Ring of Kerry in one loop: the two routes most visitors need separate days to explore. If you want to see the peninsula's main sights without driving yourself on narrow mountain passes, this private format reaches places larger tour groups cannot access.

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Top questions

What is Ladies View and why is it on this tour?

Ladies View is a scenic viewpoint near Killarney on the Ring of Kerry, overlooking Killarney National Park, the Upper Lake, and the McGillycuddy's Reeks mountains. It's included because it's one of the peninsula's most iconic stops and the vantage point that frames the entire landscape the tour covers.

Can we stop for lunch, and is it included?

Yes, you'll have a lunch break, typically in Portmagee or Waterville where seafood and traditional Irish cuisine are available. Lunch is not included in the tour price. You order and pay separately at a restaurant of your choice.

What is the Skellig Ring, and how is it different from the regular Ring of Kerry?

The Skellig Ring is a coastal route from Cahersiveen to Portmagee through smaller villages like Ballinskelligs and Waterville, offering views of the Skellig Islands and quieter beaches. It's less traveled than the main Ring of Kerry loop and is accessible only by car, not by bus, so private tours can include it while larger groups cannot.

How long is the drive, and what time does the tour start and end?

The tour runs for eight hours total. Start and end times depend on your hotel or port location and are arranged at booking. Your driver-guide will confirm pickup time the day before.

Is there a chocolate tasting at Skellig Chocolate Factory?

Skellig Chocolate Factory is listed as a possible stop on the Iveragh Peninsula where you can sample handmade chocolates made with traditional methods. Whether the tour includes time there depends on the day's pace and your interests. Ask your guide about it during the tour.

What should I bring for a full day on the peninsula?

Bring layers and a waterproof jacket, as the coast is exposed and weather can change quickly. Comfortable walking shoes are useful for beach walks and village exploration. Bottled water is provided. Bring snacks or plan to buy lunch in one of the villages.