Skellig Michael tours- Skellig Michael landing tours - Skellig Island Eco tours - Skellig Boats - Skellig Michael Cruises — Local services in Kenmare Municipal District

Summary for those who don't want to read: Communication did not accurately reflect the reality that tours are commonly delayed by up to 5 hours. When our tour was significantly delayed, and we were not able to participate due to other plans, the company was very inflexible regarding reimbursement.

Unfortunately did not get to participate in the tour -- kept getting delayed and delayed with no word on whether the weather was likely to improve. Representative at the dock said that they believed it would be canceled and that the best thing to do was to leave. 3 full hours after scheduled departure time we called them up and they had just decided to leave, and were not willing to give us even a partial refund on our seats.

I'm sure that they're quite capable of providing a great tour and of course the weather is out of their control. But according to everyone we talked to, delays were the norm rather than an exception, and the only thing I could find telling you about this is a small passage at the very bottom of their terms of service.

In all of the booking confirmation emails, the only hint that delays were even possible was a small sentence here:

"Please be at our booking office - 'Paul Devane Boat trips' in the Car park by the Marina in Portmagee at least 15 minutes before departure time. We will contact you via email if there are any changes to the tour."

Cannot give a recommendation one way or the other on the tour itself, but it is very shady to run a business with frequent delays, not offer compensation for those that cannot accommodate delays, and not tell people beforehand to fix their schedule to accommodate any departure time. In fact, we booked an 8:30 tour, and were told that it's not uncommon for this tour to not leave until 13:00.

Pretty disappointed because this was one of the things we were most looking forward to...

Avoid this company if possible. Tour operator Paul Devane left me, my family and other customers out to dry. He was a no-show. His excuse is that he sent an email the night before to those who booked the tour, hesitant about the weather, yet failing to cancel it. We drove for hours to meet in Portmagee in the morning. He then said on the phone he didn’t think it was safe to go out at sea and claimed he implied in the email that the tour was off. Here’s the email he/ or his wife/ work partner sent the night before:

“Dear Customers, At the moment the sea conditions for tomorrow aren't looking the best. It is still going ahead as of now however today is a much better day. If you are In the area today we have tours operating at 12:30 and 4pm today! If either of these tours would suit you let me know and I can reschedule your booking! Or of course you can wait until tomorrow if that works out better as the tour may still go ahead! Kind Regards, Chloe”

No other email after that. “It is still going ahead as of now” means it’s still on. We got our tour reimbursed but little care for a follow up. Horrible communication. They don’t realize people don’t just go and vacation in Portmagee. Many go only to be able to visit Skellig Michael.

Response to business’ reply:

Please re-read your email. You did not ask us to reply to the email to confirm if we’re coming, you asked to let you know if we were able to join either of 2 tours a day earlier. I’m not giving a bad review because it was canceled due to weather, you again miss the point. I’m giving a bad review because of your lack of clear and timely communication. And in this latest reply, lack of understanding of...

Having relocated to Valentia Island I have visitors from my home city Limerick on a regular basis. I always take them out on the Skelligs boat trip which is fantastic. I have been lucky to see Seals/ Dolphins/ Puffins and of course the 70,000 gannets. The scenery is simply breathtaking and it's the best two hours when the weather permits. Last week my sister visited and the weather was glorious!! I have to commend the young skipper who was so knowledgeable about the history of the Skelligs. He gave so much information to us and with his deadpan delivery he had everyone on board enthralled and entertained!! We were all in stitches laughing. I think of all the trips it was my favourite!! I bumped into some Limerick people today at The Fisherman's bar in Portmagee where I recommend the sharing seafood platter. I told them about my trip and they booked immediately!! They are heading out tomorrow and I know they will enjoy it just as much as myself and my sister did so very well done to Jamie Houlihan. Only 19 years old and absolutely brilliant. A fabulous experience!! I'll be doing it again because once is never enough and the added bonus was definitely Jamie so thank you and thanks to Paul for putting us on that boat. We thoroughly enjoyed it and will recommend it...