Island Return Trip 26
Step into nature and step back in time with a trip to the Great Saltee Island.
Amazing scenery and incredible bird colonies.
Your boat trip will start at Kilmore Quay Harbour where we are fully signposted.
The boat journey to the Islands takes approximately twenty minutes across open sea.
On arrival at the island, you will be fitted with a lifejacket and transferred to another smaller boat, then brought to shore. There is no pier or dock on the island. Be prepared to get your feet wet! (See Wet Landing Information below)
The Island is then yours to explore for three and half hours. Your boat crew will give you a time to be back at the landing area for the return trip to Kilmore Quay. Please arrive back at the landing area in good time for the return journey.
Definitely some things to consider bringing on your trip:
Sea spray on the boat and inclement conditions may mean that you will get wet, and we advise all passengers to be prepared and dress appropriately for changeable weather. Secure camera equipment in dry bags.
Bring lunch or snacks and drinks. There are no facilities on the island – no toilets, shops or refreshments available. Toilet facilities are available at Kilmore Quay Marina and shops/cafes are within easy walking distance.
Appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear
Wet landing footwear and a towel. (wellies), (or maybe you're happy to just roll up your trousers....?!)
Sunscreen, Umbrella/wet gear - Be prepared for sun, wind, and rain.
NPWS is currently funding a seabird wardening project on Great Saltee. Visitors are asked to follow warden instructions and remain on designated paths marked by temporary signage. This allows breeding birds the space they need for a successful season.
Puffins are particularly impacted as their burrows can collapse if people walk within the colony. Please stay outside of the puffin colonies if possible, stick to the paths and preferably use the higher path away from the cliff. If on the lower path near the cliff, do not linger in one place, do not sit down and keep moving to allow adults to access their burrows to feed their chicks.
DO NOT have picnics in or near the puffin colonies
Take all litter home with you
Do not feed any birds on the island
No drone photography allowed
Please arrive at the ferry gate at least 15 minutes before departure to check-in. One voucher per booking is issued.
A booking is confirmed with an email from us including your voucher for check-in. Please check your SPAM folder if it does not arrive in your Inbox.
Your booking is not valid without a confirmation email. If you have booked but do not receive a confirmation email, please contact us directly as soon as possible.
**IMPORTANT** As this trip is weather dependant, please check your emails upto the time of departure as any CANCELLATION NOTICES will be issued by email to the address the booking was made under.
Please see our cancellation policy for further details.
Conditions at the landing point are subject to weather and tides. On arriving at the island, you will be transferred to a dinghy and brought to shore. You will step out of the dinghy onto, at best, the sandy shore.
Tide dependent, you may need to step into the water’s edge. There could be seaweed or loose slippery stones along the shore. Conditions vary daily, depending on weather and tide and are beyond our control.
Please wear appropriate footwear (wellies) that you do not mind getting soiled or wet or be prepared to remove your shoes and go barefoot.
- Refunds are ONLY offered for cancellations made by us due to inclement weather.
In the event we have to cancel a ferry due to inclement conditions or unforeseen circumstances, your ticket will be refunded to the card that was used to pay for the ticket. Your refund will normally arrive in your account within 3 working days. We reserve the right to cancel the trip up to the time the ferry is due to leave Kilmore Quay. You may reschedule your booking via our booking system at an available time that is convenient to you.
- Late arrivals are non-transferrable and non-refundable.
We strongly advise that you leave plenty of time to get to Kilmore Quay and to park your vehicle. Kilmore Quay is a bustling little harbour in the summer and parking can fill up quickly, particularly at weekends. We advise that you are at the Saltee Ferry gate at least 10 minutes prior to your trip. Due to the high demand, late arrivals cannot be accommodated on the next sailing. If you arrive late then you have unfortunately lost your booking.
- Confirmed bookings cannot be rescheduled within 3 working days of the scheduled trip. Refunds are not available.
To reschedule your booking, contact the office via email more than 3 working days ahead of your scheduled trip.
All ages are welcome on the Saltee ferries, however children must be supervised at all times by an accompanying adult. Due to the limited amount of space on the boat and the dinghy transfer across to the island, should you wish to bring a buggy we would ask that it be extremely lightweight and foldable.
Note: the island terrain is very rugged. At the landing area, you are immediately faced with slippery seaweed underfoot, and on landing, with steep steps to access the rest of the island. There are no level paths. Paths are worn tracks by walkers and uneven from animals digging and burrowing. It is not buggy-friendly or suitable for mobility-impaired visitors. All visitors must be physically fit and steady on their feet.