Private seabird photography trips from Kenmare
A different way to reach the Skelligs
Most visitors make the long journey to Portmagee to join one of the busy sightseeing boats. We offer something different: a private, small-group experience for Photographers of all skill levels transferring direct from Kenmare hotels.
We drive to meet our licensed Skellig Michael boat operator and professional photographer Nick Cavanagh is alongside you for the entire day.
Our photography groups are deliberately small (1 – 3 guests), so there’s space to ask, time to watch and no pressure to rush your shot. Whether you’re a keen photographer or simply want to experience the islands properly, this is the unhurried version.
Half Day — Skellig Michael Landing Tour
€390 per person (minimum 2 person booking)
A morning departure from Kenmare with a scenic drive (50 minutes) along the Ring of Kerry to the harbour. We join a tour with a licensed skipper and head out to Skellig Michael, where you’ll land on the island and have time to explore and photograph among the seabird colonies — puffins, razorbills and guillemots against the dramatic cliff faces of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After returning to the boat, we circle Little Skellig — home to one of the largest gannet colonies in the North Atlantic — before heading back to the mainland and returning to Kenmare.
A booking fee of €390 secures your date. Remaining balance due 10 days before your trip.
What’s included:
- Morning departure from Kenmare (approx. 7.30am)
- Scenic drive to the harbour along the Ring of Kerry
- Licensed boat with experienced skipper from Caherdaniel
- Landing on Skellig Michael
- Circumnavigation of Little Skellig gannet colony
- Photography guidance throughout — camera settings, positioning, bird behaviour
- Return to Kenmare by early afternoon
Note: Skellig Michael landings are weather and Office of Public Works dependent. In the event of a cancellation, we offer an Eco Tour alternative or full refund.
A full refund is available if you cancel at least 7 days prior to your trip date.
Full Day — Skelligs & Derrynane
€550 per person (minimum 2 person booking)
Everything in the Half Day is extended into a full day along the South Kerry coast. After returning from the Skelligs we make a light lunch stop in Caherdaniel and then onto Derrynane — one of the finest beaches on the Wild Atlantic Way for an afternoon shoot along the dunes and estuary before the return drive to Kenmare.
A genuinely full day out: dramatic ocean wildlife in the morning, landscape and coastal photography in the afternoon.
What’s included:
- Everything in the Half Day experience
- Afternoon at Derrynane — beach, dunes, estuary
- Lunch stop included
- Photography guidance adapted to the afternoon conditions and location
- Stop in Sneem on the return drive.
- Return to Kenmare early evening
A booking fee of €390 secures your date. Balance due 10 days before your trip.
A full refund is available if you cancel at least 7 days prior to your trip date.
Afternoon — Little Skellig or Bull Rock Eco Tour
€295 per person (minimum 2 person booking)
An afternoon departure from Kenmare for guests who want the Skellig seabird experience without the full-day or Skellig Michael landing commitment.
Please note Little Skellig and Bull Rock tours operate on alternate days.
We drive to the harbour, join a tour with a licensed skipper, and take the boat out to the islands. The Skellig Eco tour circles both Skellig Michael and Little Skellig. The Bull Rock tour takes us through the tunnel to photograph the seabird and gannet colonies from the water.
Please note: There is no landing on this tour. The focus is entirely on seabird photography from the boat — gannets, puffins, guillemots and razorbills at close range, with the dramatic profile of the Islands as a backdrop.
A strong option for guests with a morning commitment, or those who want the full Skellig seabird experience without the island landing.
What’s included:
- Afternoon departure from Kenmare
- Drive to the harbour along the Ring of Kerry
- Licensed boat with experienced skipper
- Full circumnavigation of Skellig Michael and Little Skellig / Bull Rock
- Photography guidance throughout
- Return to Kenmare by early evening
No landing on Skellig Michael — this tour remains on the water throughout.
A booking fee of €240 secures your date. Balance due 10 days before your trip.
A full refund is available if you cancel at least 7 days prior to your trip date.
What photography guidance actually means
I’m a working commercial and portrait photographer based in Kenmare — not a tour guide who happens to carry a camera. I’ve been shooting Kerry’s coastline, wildlife and landscapes for over a decade.
On the water and on the island, I’ll help you with the things that make the difference: autofocus settings for birds in flight, reading the light as conditions change, positioning relative to the birds and backgrounds, and understanding seabird behaviour well enough to anticipate the shot before it happens.
If you’re shooting on a phone or compact camera, the same applies — composition, timing, and knowing where to stand. You don’t need a professional camera to come home with strong images.
Mixed ability groups
Many bookings include one enthusiastic photographer and a partner or friend who simply wants to enjoy the experience. That works well. The Skelligs are extraordinary regardless of what you’re shooting with, and keeping the group small means the day moves at a pace that suits everyone.
Practical information
Group size: 1-3 people. Private group bookings.
Departure: Kenmare town. Exact meeting point confirmed on booking.
Season: May to September (seabird season). Puffins typically present May–August.
Weather: All trips are weather dependent. The skipper makes the final call on the morning of departure. Full refund or rescheduling offered if cancelled.
What to bring: Warm layers (it’s cold on the water even in summer), waterproof jacket, sunscreen, your camera. Seasickness tablets if you’re prone.
Fitness: Skellig Michael landing involves uneven stone steps and terrain. Reasonable mobility required for landing tours.
Ready to book?
You can check availability and secure your date using the booking links above. For larger groups, bespoke arrangements or any questions before booking, call +353 (0)87 949 1002 or use the enquiry form.
Ready to book?
You can check availability and secure your date using the booking links above. For larger groups, bespoke arrangements or any questions before booking, call +353 (0)87 949 1002 or use the enquiry form.