Blasket Island Ferries
A magical trip to The Blasket Island
SEASON 2023 - APRIL TO 24th OF SEPTEMBER
Relax and soak in the breathtaking views of the most westerly lands in Europe while listening to the calls of the huge number of breeding seabirds such as Puffins, Fulmars, Guillemots, Storm Petrels and Shearwaters. The island is also home to one of the largest Grey Seal colonies in Ireland.
Come and enjoy this remote and unspoiled beauty firsthand and we promise you an experience never to be forgotten. Trip is suitable for those interested in hiking/walking and birdwatching. The O.P.W offer free guided walking tours around the island village at 11:30am 12:30pm 1:30pm 2:30pm lasting approx 45 minutes.
Ferry Trips from Cé Dhún Chaoin/Dunquin Pier to
An Blascaod Mór/The Great Blasket Island:
Trip Return
9:50am 2:15pm
10:50am 3:15pm
11:50am 4:15pm
12:50pm 5:15pm
There are set return times for each trip due to limited seating onboard. Ticket collection for prebooked seats can be made up to 15 minutes before departure from our blue office at the top of Dunquin Pier. Street parking available at no charge.
A quick 20 minute crossing and visitors get to enjoy approx 4 hrs on the island. To book your seats please call or email us with your preferred date/departure time.
*For those interested in 'Wild Camping' on The Great Blasket Island, departure times from Dunquin Pier are 2:30pm and 3:30pm and pick up from the island pier the following day at 10:05am or 11:05am. To book your seats, call or email us to check availability for your preferred date/time.
Please note that the toilet facilities have reopened and are currently available on the island. We advise bringing a packed lunch, bottled water, insect repellent, light rain gear and wearing comfortable walking/hiking shoes, flipflops and slip-on shoes are not suitable for the trip! Please make sure to call or email us to reserve your seats as trips get booked up fast over the busy summer months!
IMPORTANT INFO!
This trip is not suitable for anyone with mobility/joint issues or for those with heart conditions/recent surgeries. You must be sure of your footing as the pathway down to Dunquin Pier is quite steep, along with parts of the island terrain which can also be uneven in places. Passengers are required to transfer from main boat into an 8 passenger rib to access the shallower waters at the island slip and when the tide is low at Dunquin pier passeners are transported by rib to the ferry which is moored close by.
The ferry trip is suitable for adults and children 7 years of age and above.
A Little About Us
All vessels operated by Blasket Island Ferries are inspected annually by marine surveyors of the Irish Department of Marine.
We operate a passenger ferry 'Lady Avalon' from Cé Dhún Chaoin/Dunquin Pier to An Blascaod Mór/The Great Blasket Island. Over the last thirty years, more than 90% of passengers landing on the island travelled with Blasket Island Ferries.
Our passenger vessel operating from Dunquin Pier to The Great Blasket Island was purpose designed and built as an inshore Island ferry and boasts a comprehensive intergrated electronic navigation package (life rafts, life jackets, smoke life rings, engine room fire suppression system, echo sounder, electronic charts, distress safety system, global positioning system, emergency positioning beacon, etc).
R * Trip is suitable for adults and children 7 years of age and above.
*Please note that after reaching the island, passengers are transferred by smaller boat to the island slipway and this process only takes a few minutes.
*The island terrain can be steep and uneven in places and we advise that this trip would not suitable for those with heart conditions and/or mobility issues.
€40 per adult/€30 per child for a return ticket.
Booking is advised!
Ferry service is weather permitting.
Hourly ferry trips from 9.50am every day(Weather permitting and times may vary due to demand, so we strongly advise to email ahead of time to reserve your seats!)
Season 2023 runs from 18th April to 21st September
Suitable for those interested in hiking, walking,birdwatching and nature lovers.
Lots of tracks and trails to follow on the island and a beautiful white sandy beach. An Tra Ban/The White Strand which is the island beach is home to one of Ireland's largest Grey Seal colonies. We kindly ask all island visitors to stay 50 metres away from the seals. This ensures that they will stay on the beach, undisturbed, so everyone can enjoy seeing them.
Testimonials and Reviews
Blasket Island Ferries
Grabbed the ferry from Dunquin Pier in May with my friends, had an absolutely amazing time! Crew were very friendly and they took great care of us. The island itself was beautiful, very peaceful and we saw hundreds of grey seals up on the beach. Took a guided walking tour around the little island village which was great fun and free! Definitely going back to visit again. Great trip!
Sarah Kenny
I had amazing weekend one of the best in my life and I will remember it for a long time. What a place everyone should visit this beautiful island because words and pictures cant describe atmosphere of Blasket Island. So happy that I had chance to spend time in this little heaven thank you guys for made our trip on the boat more exciting by letting us go to the front of the boat - I did love it!!!
Many thanks to Blasket Island Ferries for a wonderful trip. The staff were helpful and friendly. Booking was very simple especially as contact could be made through FB. I'll definitely make a trip again.
Katherine Ross
Took a boat trip with Blasket Island Ferries with my husband and we had an absolute blast. Very easy to make a booking through Facebook and we were kept updated on weather conditions. Amazing scenery and we did a hike around the first peak on the island. Definitely recommending this trip to all my friends!
Emma Flaherty
