Ring of Kerry Tour from Killarney: Skellig Ring & coastal views

Waterville is the only village on the Ring of Kerry that sits right on the coast.

A guided Ring of Kerry tour from Killarney on a mid-size coach (max 39 passengers) that travels the 180 km circuit with an English-speaking guide, including stops at Ladies View, the Skellig Ring, Waterville, Sneem and Coomakishta viewpoint. The smaller vehicle size lets you drive the Skellig Ring—a route larger tour buses cannot take—to reach St Finian's Bay and views of the Skellig Islands. The tour runs 7.5 hours and includes an air-conditioned coach; food and drink are not included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ring of Kerry scenic tour

• Explore Ireland’s rural history
• Watch sheepdog demonstrations
• Travel through Caherciveen and Skellig Ring
• Stop at St Finian's Bay and Skellig Chocolates
• Visit Waterville village and seafront
• Lunch break
• View from Coomakishta mountain
• Enjoy Ladies View panorama
• Short break in Sneem village
• Return to Killarney

The Experience

The Ring of Kerry is a 180 km loop through County Kerry's valleys, mountains and coastline, and this tour covers it with a guide who knows the history and the landscape. Because the coach is smaller than standard tour buses, you can leave the main route and drive onto the Skellig Ring—a narrow, spectacular stretch on the edge of the Wild Atlantic Way that larger groups cannot access. That detour takes you to St Finian's Bay and Skellig Chocolates, with uninterrupted views of the Skellig Islands across the water.

The day moves through several stops. You start with a look at Irish rural heritage and the famine years, then travel through Caherciveen to reach the Skellig Ring. Waterville comes next—a village between the ocean and Lough Currane where you can walk the seafront and taste the salt air. After lunch, you climb to Coomakishta, a mountain viewpoint overlooking the ocean, islands and inland Kerry. Ladies View, inside Killarney National Park, sits near the end of the loop; it frames the Black Valley, Upper and Lower Lakes and the park's mountains in a single panorama. A final stop in Sneem, a colourful village, rounds out the circuit before the return to Killarney.

Sheepdog demonstrations are available April through mid-October as an optional add-on (cash only, separate charge). The tour is guided in English and runs 7.5 hours in an air-conditioned coach. Killorglin pickup is available by request. The tour suits all fitness levels and welcomes children from age 2, though it is not recommended for children under 10.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned mid-size coach.
• English-speaking guide.
• stops at Ladies View, the Skellig Ring with views of the Skellig Islands, Waterville, Coomakishta viewpoint and Sneem.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Killarney Executive Tour Co.

Is this one for you?The smaller coach size is what opens the Skellig Ring route to you—a coastal detour larger tour buses cannot take, with uninterrupted views of the Skellig Islands and access to St Finian's Bay that standard Ring of Kerry tours do not reach.

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Top questions

What is the Skellig Ring and why does it matter on this tour?

The Skellig Ring is a narrow coastal route on the edge of the Wild Atlantic Way that only smaller coaches can drive. This tour's mid-size vehicle can access it, taking you to St Finian's Bay and Skellig Chocolates with unrivalled views of the Skellig Islands—a stretch larger tour buses cannot reach.

How long is the Ring of Kerry tour and what time does it start?

The tour runs 7.5 hours. Specific departure times are not listed in the standard itinerary; contact the operator for the schedule from your chosen pickup point.

What is Ladies View and where is it on the tour?

Ladies View is one of Ireland's best-known panoramas, situated in Killarney National Park near the end of the circuit. It overlooks the Black Valley, Upper and Lower Lakes and the surrounding mountains in a single view.

Is food included, and where do you eat on the tour?

Food and drink are not included on the Ring of Kerry tour. The itinerary includes a lunch break, but you'll need to arrange and pay for your own meal during that stop.

Can you watch the sheepdog demonstrations on this tour?

Sheepdog demonstrations are available as an optional add-on from April through mid-October. They show Kells sheepdogs herding sheep in the Kerry countryside. The demonstration is a separate charge and requires cash payment.

Which villages and viewpoints does the tour stop at?

The tour stops in Waterville (a coastal village on the seafront), Sneem (a colourful village at the end of the loop), and Coomakishta (a mountain-high viewpoint overlooking the ocean and rural landscapes). You also visit St Finian's Bay on the Skellig Ring and Ladies View in Killarney National Park.