National park · Ireland
Blasket IslandsNa Blascaodaí
Go only on a settled-weather day: 20 min boat from Dunquin pier (40 from Ventry, 50 from Dingle), landing on a beach with no pier. Skip if wind or swell is up — boats do not sail and there is no shelter.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
9 km²3 sq mi
approximate
Established
1953
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
At a glance
- Country
- Ireland
- Area
- 9 km²3 sq mi
- Roughly 8–9 km² across the whole archipelago, mostly Great Blasket; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1953
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Dingle
The Blasket Islands are the most westerly group off the Dingle peninsula in County Kerry, abandoned by their last permanent residents in 1953 and left much as they were: about 30 ruined cottages above a white beach, a grassy cart track along the ridge to An Cro Mór (292 m), and seabird colonies on islands that have no rats. There is no pier, no harbour, no shop and no cafe — you land by scrambling from a small boat, you carry everything, and you leave when the operator says. Boats run in summer only, weather permitting, from Dunquin pier (20 min), Ventry (40 min) and Dingle (50 min), and are cancelled when wind or swell is up. Great Blasket is the only island you can land on; Inishtooskert, Inishnabro, Inishvickillane and Tearaght are seen from the boat. Four self-catering cottages and permitted camping are the only ways to stay overnight.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1953.
Size and age
9 km²3 sq mi · national park since 1953
Roughly 8–9 km² across the whole archipelago, mostly Great Blasket; figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Dingle.
Why go
- The most westerly inhabited-then-abandoned island group in Ireland, cleared in 1953 and left as it was.
- A 4 km ridge walk from the landing beach to An Cro Mór (292 m), the highest point in the islands.A 2.5 mi ridge walk from the landing beach to An Cro Mór (292 m), the highest point in the islands.
- Seabird colonies — storm petrels, Manx shearwaters, puffins — on islands with no rats.
- The Blasket Centre at Dunquin explains the island writers and the evacuation before you cross.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanStorms; no boats
- FebStorms; no boats
- MarBoats usually not running
- AprSeason starts; sailings weather-dependent
- MayCalmer seas; puffins and seabirds on the cliffs
- JunLong days; midges start
- JulWarmest; busiest; book the crossing ahead
- AugWarm; busiest; midges at their worst
- SepCalm, quieter, seabirds still around
- OctSeason winding down; fewer sailings
- NovNo boats
- DecNo boats
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PuffinsApr–Jul · On the cliffs and outer islands; best in late spring and early summer. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Storm petrels and Manx shearwatersMay–Sep · Inishtooskert holds tens of thousands of pairs of storm petrels. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Grey sealsAll year · Around low-lying Beginish and the landing coves. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| MidgesJun–Sep · Worst on still, damp days; they will find you wherever you camp. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Dunquin pier (Dún Chaoin)
Drive or take the local bus to the pier at the end of the road, then the short crossing; transfer to a smaller boat to land on the beach.
20 min
Open the page →
From Ventry
Boat from Ventry harbour; longer run, same beach landing.
40 min
Open the page →
From Dingle
Boat from Dingle harbour, or drive 45–50 min to Dunquin pier and cross from there.
50 min by boat
Open the page →
From Killarney
Drive via Tralee and Dingle to Dunquin pier; allow time for the single-track road over the Connor Pass.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| An Trá Bhán landing beach and villages | The white beach at the north-east end, with the abandoned Lower and Upper Village above it — about 30 ruined cottages and a modern ranger's house. | Open to anyone who lands; no pier, so you wade or scramble ashore. |
| The ridge (Slieve Donagh to An Cro Mór) | The grassy cart track and sheep trails along the spine of Great Blasket to the 292 m summit. | Open; walk on the track, not across the ruined walls. |
| Beginish and the northern islets | Low-lying Beginish with Arctic terns and grey seals, plus Illaunbaun and Carrigfada. | Seen from the boat; no landing. |
| Outer islands (Inishtooskert, Inishnabro, Inishvickillane, Tearaght) | Seabird islands with monastic remains; Tearaght has a lighthouse automated in 1988 and sheer sides with no beach. | Boat trips only; no landing. |
Sketch map
- 1Dunquin pier · Gate≈52.133, -10.457Main summer departure point; approximate.Map ↗
- 2An Trá Bhán landing beach · Beach≈52.089, -10.547Approximate; no pier.Map ↗
- 3Abandoned village, Great Blasket · Village≈52.090, -10.545Approximate.Map ↗
- 4An Cro Mór summit (292 m) · Summit≈52.079, -10.568Approximate.Map ↗
- 5Blasket Centre, Dunquin · Headquarters≈52.135, -10.462Approximate.Map ↗
- 6Beginish · Beach≈52.116, -10.507Approximate; no landing.Map ↗
- 7Tearaght Island lighthouse · Viewpoint≈52.076, -10.662Approximate; seen from the boat only.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return boat crossing to Great Blasket (Dunquin pier) | EUR 30–40 | person | 2026 estimate; shorter crossing, lowest fare. Operators also sell trips from Ventry and Dingle. |
| Return boat crossing from Ventry or Dingle | EUR 40–60 | person | 2026 estimate; longer run, higher fare. |
| Blasket Centre, Dunquin | EUR 5–8 | person | 2026 estimate; exhibition on island life and the 1953 evacuation (check current price). |
| Self-catering cottage on Great Blasket | EUR 120–200 | night | 2026 estimate; no electricity, cold showers, minimum stays apply (check). |
| Camping on Great Blasket | Free | person | No camping fee; you still pay the boat fare and carry everything. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Boat crossing permit or guide
Overnight stay on Great Blasket permit or guide
Landing on the outer islands permit or guide
Park rules
- No rats, no pets loose
- The islands are rat-free, which is why the ground-nesting birds survive. Dogs are allowed on a leash only; do not bring rodents or leave food waste.
- Take everything out
- There is no refuse collection. Carry out all rubbish and pick up loose litter if you can.
- No bikes
- The tracks are unsuitable and the boats will not carry bicycles.
- Camping
- Permitted anywhere on Great Blasket, but level ground is scarce; most people pitch near the abandoned village.
- Fires
- There is no peat or wood on the islands; do not light fires.
- Water
- There is untreated running water in the abandoned village; otherwise carry your own or treat spring water.
Where to stay
In the park
Self-catering cottages, Great Blasket
Four modern cottages with running water, gas cookers and fuel stoves; no electricity, so no lighting, and cold showers.
In the park
Camping, Great Blasket
Allowed anywhere; bring everything, expect midges.
Near the park
Dingle
The main town on the peninsula, with hotels, guesthouses and hostels, about 45–50 min from Dunquin pier.
Near the park
Dunquin and Ventry
A few guesthouses and B&Bs close to the piers, useful for an early crossing.
Safety
Landing and boarding in swell high
Weather turning while you are on the island high
Sea sickness on the crossing medium
Cliff edges and rough ground medium
No medical help on the island medium
Accessibility
- There is no pier: landing involves a small boat and a beach scramble, so the islands are not accessible for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- The village area has rough, uneven ground; the ridge walk is steep in places and unsuitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Keep the islands rat-free — this is what protects the ground-nesting seabirds.
- Carry out all rubbish; nothing is collected on the islands.
- Stay on the track and do not disturb nesting birds or the ruined cottages.
- Support the Blasket Centre at Dunquin and local boat operators rather than unofficial landings.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Blasket Islands?
There is no entry fee and no gate. You pay only the boat: roughly €30–40 return from Dunquin pier and €40–60 from Ventry or Dingle (2026 estimate). The Blasket Centre at Dunquin charges a separate admission, about €5–8.
What are the best hikes in Blasket Islands?
The ridge walk on Great Blasket: from the An Trá Bhán landing beach, follow the cart track over Slieve Donagh (281 m) to An Cro Mór (292 m), the highest point in the group. It is about 4 km each way, moderate, and pointless if the tops are in low cloud. Shorter options are the loop through the abandoned village and the cillín burial ground.
When is the best time to visit Blasket Islands?
May, June and September. Seas are calmer, boats run, and seabirds are on the cliffs. July and August are warmest but busiest and midge-heavy. Sailings are summer-only and cancelled when wind or swell is up, so build a spare day into your plans.
Can you stay overnight on the Blasket Islands?
Yes. Four self-catering cottages on Great Blasket have running water, gas cookers and fuel stoves but no electricity, so no lighting, and showers are cold. Camping is permitted anywhere, though level ground is scarce. Overnight guests get priority on the Dunquin crossing.
How do you get to the Blasket Islands?
Small open boats sail in summer, weather permitting, from Dunquin pier (20 min), Ventry (40 min) and Dingle (50 min). There is no harbour on the islands, so you transfer to an even smaller boat and scramble ashore at the beach.
Can you see the Blasket Islands without landing?
Yes. Several operators run boat trips around the archipelago, pointing out the outer islands, seabird colonies and, on a good day, dolphins and minke whales. Tearaght, Inishtooskert, Inishnabro and Inishvickillane have no public landing.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go