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FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about boat tours, fishing trips, and island experiences departing from Dingle Marina, County Kerry, Ireland.

General Information

Where do Dingle Boat Tours depart from?

All tours depart from Dingle Marina, Farrannakilla, Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland (Eircode: V92FW2P). We are located right on the pier in Dingle town. You can find us on Google Maps here.

How do I book a tour?

All tours can be booked online with live availability via the Book Now buttons on each tour page. You can also call us on +353 87 672 6100 or email [email protected].

Are the tours suitable for children?

Most of our tours are suitable for all ages, including young children. The Wildlife RIB Adventure (Sea Safari) is recommended for ages 9 and over due to the high-speed nature of the ride. The Harbour & Bay Cruise, Blasket Island Eco Tour, Blasket Island Ferry, and Fishing Trips are all suitable for families with younger children.

Are the tours wheelchair accessible?

Please contact us directly on +353 87 672 6100 before booking so we can advise on the most suitable tour and assist with any accessibility requirements.

Do I need to bring anything?

We recommend wearing warm, waterproof layers regardless of the season — conditions on the water can be cool and breezy even on sunny days. Sturdy, non-slip footwear is advised. If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking appropriate medication before departure.

What languages are the tours available in?

Tours are conducted in English. Please contact us in advance if you have specific language requirements and we will do our best to assist.

Our Tours

What tours do you offer?

We offer a wide range of boat tours and experiences from Dingle Marina:

  • Harbour & Bay Cruise — 1 hour, from €19. A scenic cruise of Dingle Harbour and into the bay with commentary on local history and landmarks. Suitable for all ages.
  • Dolphin Discovery Eco Tour — 2 hours, from €42. A guided eco tour along 350-million-year-old sandstone cliffs on the northern coastline, searching for dolphin pods and coastal wildlife.
  • Wildlife RIB Adventure (Sea Safari) — 2.5 hours, from €80. A high-speed RIB tour around the Blasket Islands — the most westerly islands in Europe — taking in sea caves, cliffs, puffins, seals, dolphins, and possibly whales. Ages 9+.
  • Blasket Island Eco Tour — 3 hours, from €74. An educational guided tour combining the history and folklore of the Blasket Islands with wildlife watching including dolphins, whales, and seals.
  • Dingle to Blasket Island Ferry — 4.5 hours, from €79.50. A ferry crossing to the Great Blasket Island with time to hike, explore the abandoned village, and walk the White Strand beach.
  • 2-Hour Fishing Trip — from €40. Deep-sea angling in Dingle Bay with an experienced skipper. Suitable for complete beginners and experienced anglers alike.
  • Funky Pink Self-Drive Boat Rental — Self-drive electric boats for exploring Dingle Harbour. Great fun for families.
  • Private Boat Hire — from €137.80. Hire a 12-passenger boat with skipper for a fully private group experience.

What is the most popular tour?

Our most popular tours are the Harbour & Bay Cruise for shorter visits and the Blasket Island Eco Tour for those wanting a longer, more immersive experience. The Wildlife RIB Adventure is our most thrilling option and is highly recommended for adventurous visitors.

What is the difference between the Blasket Island Eco Tour and the Blasket Island Ferry?

The Eco Tour (3 hours) focuses on wildlife watching and the history and folklore of the islands — you cruise around the archipelago with a guided commentary but do not land on the island. The Ferry (4.5 hours) takes you to the Great Blasket Island itself, where you disembark and spend time exploring — hiking the trails, visiting the ruins of the abandoned village, and relaxing on the White Strand. Both are excellent; the choice depends on whether you want to set foot on the island.

What wildlife might I see on the tours?

Dingle Bay and the waters around the Blasket Islands are home to an exceptional range of marine and coastal wildlife. Depending on the season and tour, you may encounter bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, grey seals, puffins, gannets, guillemots, fulmars, razorbills, and occasionally minke whales and basking sharks. Red deer have also been spotted on the coastal clifftops. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed as animals are wild and free-ranging, but sightings are frequent throughout the season.

What is the best time of year to see dolphins?

Bottlenose dolphins are regularly sighted in Dingle Bay year-round. Puffins are best seen between April and July. Whale sightings are most common from July through October. Seals are present throughout the year.

What is the Wildlife RIB Adventure?

The Wildlife RIB Adventure — also called the Sea Safari — is a high-speed tour aboard a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) out to the Blasket Islands and along the dramatic coastline of the Dingle Peninsula. The RIB's manoeuvrability allows the skipper to enter narrow sea caves and coves inaccessible to larger vessels. The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours and is suitable for passengers aged 9 and over. It departs from Dingle Marina.

The Blasket Islands

What are the Blasket Islands?

The Blasket Islands are a group of islands off the tip of the Dingle Peninsula — the most westerly point in Europe. The largest, Great Blasket Island (An Blascaod Mór), was home to a remarkable Irish-speaking community whose literary tradition produced world-renowned writers including Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Muiris Ó Súilleabháin, and Peig Sayers. The last permanent inhabitants were evacuated to the mainland in 1953. The islands are now part of Ireland's only National Marine Park and are a UNESCO candidate site.

How long is the crossing from Dingle to the Blasket Islands?

The crossing from Dingle Marina to the Great Blasket Island takes approximately 45 minutes each way, depending on sea conditions.

Can I walk on the Great Blasket Island?

Yes — the Blasket Island Ferry tour includes time ashore on Great Blasket Island. Visitors can hike the island's trails, explore the ruins of the old village, and walk the White Strand beach. The terrain is rugged and uneven, so sturdy footwear is essential. There are no permanent facilities on the island; limited seasonal refreshments may be available.

Fishing Trips

Do I need fishing experience to join a fishing trip?

No experience is needed. Our skippers are happy to guide complete beginners through everything, from baiting hooks to landing fish. Experienced sea anglers are equally welcome. All fishing equipment is provided on board.

What species of fish can I expect to catch?

Dingle Bay is an excellent angling ground. Common catches include pollock, mackerel, wrasse, coalfish (saithe), dogfish, and conger eel. What you catch depends on the season and conditions on the day.

How long are the fishing trips?

Our standard fishing trip is 2 hours and is priced from €40 per person. Longer private charter options are also available — please contact us for details.

Funky Pink Self-Drive Boat Rental

What are the Funky Pink boats?

The Funky Pink boats are self-drive electric boats available for hire within Dingle Harbour. No boating experience is required — a safety boat accompanies you beyond the harbour wall and you then have 25 minutes to explore the harbour at your own pace. They hold up to 5 passengers and are a fantastic activity for families with children.

Do I need a licence to hire a self-drive boat?

No licence is required. Full safety briefing and instructions are provided before you set off, and our safety boat is on hand throughout.

Practical Details

What happens if the weather is bad?

The safety of our passengers and crew is our absolute priority. If sea conditions are unsuitable, we will contact you in advance to reschedule or offer a full refund. Dingle Bay is sheltered compared to the open Atlantic, which means we are able to operate on most days throughout the season. Where possible, we will offer alternative tours if your booked trip is affected.

What is your cancellation policy?

Please refer to the terms and conditions provided at the time of booking via our online booking system (FareHarbor). If you need to cancel or amend a booking, contact us as early as possible on +353 87 672 6100 or at [email protected].

Do you offer gift cards?

Yes — Dingle Boat Tours gift cards are available to purchase online and make a wonderful gift for any occasion. You can buy a gift card via the link in our website footer.

Are you a sustainable tourism operator?

Yes. Dingle Boat Tours is a member of the Sustainable Tourism Network and follows whale and dolphin watching best practice guidelines to ensure our tours have a positive, responsible relationship with the marine environment.

What are your opening hours and season?

We operate tours from spring through to autumn, with the peak season running from April to October. Availability varies by tour. The most up-to-date schedule and availability can always be found via our online booking system. For out-of-season enquiries, please contact us directly.

How can I contact Dingle Boat Tours?