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Cross Blacksod Bay for a four‑hour boat trip to the atmospheric Inishkea Islands—where dolphins frequently appear and 1800s stone cottages and maritime relics wait to be explored. This small‑group tour is ideal for photographers, history buffs, and wildlife seekers.
Cross Blacksod Bay for a four‑hour boat trip to the atmospheric Inishkea Islands—where dolphins frequently appear and 1800s stone cottages and maritime relics wait to be explored. This small‑group tour is ideal for photographers, history buffs, and wildlife seekers.
Book with Wild West Boat Tours
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Operated by Wild West Boat Tours · Blacksod, County Mayo
Set off from Blacksod Pier on County Mayo’s wild western edge and you’ll find the Inishkea Islands—two low, peat‑streaked isles sitting exposed to the Atlantic swell. The Blacksod – Inishkea Island Tour runs roughly four hours and threads a route across Blacksod Bay to Inishkea North and Inishkea South, where history and marine life meet in raw contrast.
The crossing is often the trip’s richest act: pods of common and bottlenose dolphins commonly surf the bow while fulmars, kittiwakes and guillemots wheel overhead. The islands themselves are a study in coastal geology and human resilience—glacially scoured rock, thin soils, machair grass and sandy strands where seabirds nest. Onshore you’ll find the weathered shells of stone cottages from the 1800s, the so‑called king’s house, a shebeen, school buildings, St. Colmcille’s Church, and the remains of a Norwegian whaling station. Alt Mór navigation tower and The Bailey Mór are clear markers of the islands’ maritime past.
Guides from Blacksod leave you ashore with walking maps so you can explore independently at a pace that suits you. Trails are informal but walkable; expect uneven ground, peat patches and short grass that shows the sea’s influence. Photographers and history buffs will linger at the two‑storey shop ruins and along the west coast where the light shifts fast and the aspect toward the open Atlantic opens up vast horizons.
This trip is special for its combination of boat travel, wildlife viewing and tangible history. Few Irish island tours let you step freely through abandoned community structures that still suggest daily life: a school desk, a hearthline, the footprint of a small economy. The islands’ isolation makes them a quiet refuge for seals and nesting seabirds, and the frequent dolphin encounters turn the crossing into a moving theatre of motion.
Local context: The islands bear the imprint of centuries — named for Saint Kea, they appear in folklore and maritime charts alike, and visitors sense the austerity of island life and the wider Atlantic routes that once touched these rocks. The tour operator from Blacksod provides experienced skippers who know currents and how to read weather windows; that knowledge is what makes visits safe and rewarding while keeping impact on nesting birds low.
Practical notes: departures are from Blacksod Pier; group sizes are small, and wear warm, layered clothing and non‑slip shoes. There’s limited infrastructure ashore—bring water, sun protection and a small pack. Respect the ruins and bird colonies; stay clear of nesting areas and leave artifacts in place.
Whether you arrive because you’re chasing wildlife, history or a raw Atlantic horizon, the Blacksod – Inishkea Island Tour is an efficient, evocative way to experience a corner of Ireland where the sea writes daily life into stone.
The scheduled tour duration is about 4 hours from departure at Blacksod Pier, including the crossing and time ashore.
Guides provide walking maps and safety briefing, but guests explore the islands independently once ashore.
Dolphins are commonly sighted during crossings but cannot be guaranteed—sightings depend on sea conditions and wildlife activity.
There is limited to no infrastructure ashore; use facilities at Blacksod Pier before departure and plan accordingly.
The tour is family‑friendly, but children should be supervised at all times, especially near cliff edges and nesting areas.
Access involves boarding a small boat and walking on uneven ground; contact the operator in advance to discuss accessibility needs.
Wild West Boat Tours is a boat tour operator based on Achill Island, County Mayo, offering coastal boat trips, sea safaris, and sport fishing in the surrounding Atlantic waters. Their schedule includes day trips to Achill Island, a Croaghaun Cliff Tour, full-day visits to the Inishkea Islands via Blacksod, a Two Hours Sea Safari from Blacksod Pier, shark fishing in Blacksod Bay, and sea angling or tope fishing options. Trips combine scenic sailing, marine wildlife viewing, shoreline exploration, and fishing activities. The Achill Island Day Tour pairs coastal sailing with time ashore to visit beaches, historic sites, or relax independently. The Croaghaun Cliff Tour follows Achill’s rugged coastline to view Ireland’s highest sea cliffs and seal caves; when weather prevents cliff access, the itinerary can include exploration of Blacksod village. The Blacksod – Inishkea Island Tour sails to the remote Inishkea Islands to see historic cottages, ruins, and Atlantic panoramas. The Two Hours Sea Safari departs from Blacksod Pier and showcases cliffs, seabirds, dolphins, and other marine life. Shark Fishing runs seasonally from June to October with catch-and-release Blue and Porbeagle shark fishing and tagging to support scientific research. Sea angling and tope fishing trips offer equipment and guidance suitable for beginners and experienced anglers. Wild West Boat Tours focuses on clear trip descriptions, seasonal availability, and safety briefings before each departure. Bookings typically specify departure locations, trip duration, and included equipment, allowing visitors to choose the right coastal experience on Achill Island and Blacksod Bay. Suitable for all ages.
Book with Wild West Boat Tours