Eco Marine Tours
Explore the Kerry Coast and experience some of our majestic visitors.
Dingle Peninsula – Eco Marine Tours
During the summer I got a text from Mick O’Connell, not the footballer, but Mick of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group telling me about two Humpback Whales that appeared off Clogher Head on the Dingle Peninsula.
Some Facts on Humpback Whales;
- They can grow up to 19 metres (62 feet). The length of an average bus is 45ft
- They can eat 5,500 pounds (2,500kg) of plankton, krill and small fish each day
- Adults typically weigh about 40,000kg
- Humpbacks can live for up to 50 years
Unfortunately for the tour operators, these whales are not as obliging as Fungie, the Dingle Dolphin, so there is no guarantee of seeing them. However, this area is rich in marine life so look out for Minke Whales, dolphins, seals and a marvelous variety of sea birds.
If you want a chance to see these magnificent creatures the people to contact to contact are Dingle Bay Charters at the Marina in Dingle and Mick Sheeran in Ventry.
Dingle Peninsula – Blasket Island Eco Marine Tours
Afternoon Guided 4 hour Eco Marine Tour – Depart from Ventry Harbour to Great Blasket Island (no landing) and view old deserted village, Trá Bán (White Strand) and seals. Continue to some of the outer islands depending on itinerary and weather conditions for the day, to view spectacular rock formations, puffins, Manx shearwaters and other seabirds. Return via open sea with chance to see dolphins, minke whales, basking shark (in season) and other species including humpback whales occasionally. Wildlife guide on board and also spotter / marine biologist. Our priority this trip is to show our passengers marine ecosystems and the marine habitats of not only cetaceans but also the extensive bird life around the Blaskets (including the always popular puffins) and also grey seal habitats and basking shark, sunfish and other species depending on the season.
An all-day (10am – 5pm) Blasket Island ferry and Eco Marine tour can be done for €55. Booking is essential.
Prices: €50 for 4 hour trip, children half price.
Dingle Peninsula – Dingle Bay Charters
Located at the Yacht Marina in Dingle, Co. Kerry, Dingle Bay Charters provides a wide range of boat trips for visitors to enjoy our beautiful coastline and islands. These include: sea angling, Dingle Bay and Blasket Island boat tours, Blasket Island and Valentia Island ferries, Yacht Charter and a cruise in Dingle Harbour.
Eco Tour – Enjoy a fascinating 5 hour guided tour of the Blasket islands aboard our 70 passenger Eco Tour Boat.
Soak in the magnificent scenery of Inisvickillane (look out for the herd of Red deer), Inisnabro (Cathedral rocks) and the Great Blasket Island. Cruise among the seals, puffins, gannets and other seabirds of the outer islands while keeping watch for whales, dolphins and porpoises. The tour also includes a stopover on the Great Blasket Island.
Tours depart from Dingle Yacht Marina at 12 noon weather permitting April to September
