The Valentia Island Experience
Description
Set sail on a thrilling journey along the Wild Atlantic Way with Aqua Terra Boat Tours, your gateway to the best of Kerry’s coastal tours. Our Valentia Island cruise offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the enchantment of Valentia Island from the unique perspective of the water’s edge. This 1.5-hour adventure combines the thrill of speed with the awe of exploration, bringing you face-to-face with the rich history, mysterious caves, dramatic cliffs, and diverse wildlife on one of Ireland’s most picturesque landscape
Tour Options
Itinerary
The captain and crew are not just navigators of the sea but storytellers of the land. They bring to life the legends, history, and natural wonders of Valentia Island, making your tour a truly immersive experience.
Discover from the water's edge, a 6th-century Monastery on Church Island, which was used by Skelligs Monks surrounded by the safety of Valentia Harbour. Then continue to learn of the Viking's invasion of the Skellig Coast who then developed a village on the neighbouring Beginish Island where ruins remain today.
At speed admire the castle from the river of Cahersiveen to be transported back in time to when the High Kings of Ireland built their mighty castles and fought blooding battles to keep their lands.
Following the stunning views of the majestic coastline of Beginish Island and Valentia, the Captain will then lead the tour to the white walls of Valentia Island Lighthouse. Originally a Cromwellan Fort but today a working Lighthouse, this corner of the island overlooking Dingle Bay has stories dating back to the 17th century and before. Sit and watch the waves crashing on the rocks below while listening to the stories of shipwrecks, Pirates and more.
The last part of the harbour adventure glides guests past the seaside village of Knightstown village which was once a bustling waterfront with the operation of the Transatlantic Telegraph Cable that was laid from Valentia Harbour to the shores of Newfoundland, Canada in 1866. Discover how two men came together to change the world and communication that finally put the small island of Valentia on the map forever.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(51)
A really worthwhile tour, seeing Valentia and surrounding islands from the sea. Elizabeth and Brendan were wonderful guides and gave a warm , fun and informative tour . Also the boat was great, meticulously clean and polished and the ride was fabulously comfortable, even on the Atlantic swell, due to Brendan'sBrill calm and experienced piloting. We will return to have another trip with you and hopefully get to Skellig Micheal on next attempt.
Had an amazing few hours out on the boat with Brendan. Throughly enjoyable. Brendan couldn't of been more friendly and helpful. Our 3 children had a fabulous time aswell and got to know so much more about Valentica and see parts from the boat we always wanted to see before but never got a chance or opportunity to see. Best part of our stay and great experience. Thank you Brendan.
We had a wonderful experience with Brendan as our captain and guide. He had a fantastic local and historical knowledge pertinent to the trip and shared it in an easy casual manner. We enjoyed his company and will definitely plan another trip next year. The boat was extremely comfortable and added to our positive experience.highly recommend Aqua Terra.
The boat tour was fantastic. We originally planned on taking the Skellig Michael tour, but the weather didn't cooperate. We did the Valentia Island tour instead and it was fun. Elizabeth is very knowledgeable and shared a lot of interesting history about the islands. The boat is very comfortable and covered.
We took the Valentia harbour trip last week with a group of friends in Brendan’s very comfortable modern boat with covered seating ( important given potential for rain!) . We all enjoyed the great snippets of local history from monastic to viking settlements through to the cable station story from our guide Elizabeth As we rounded the headland a colony of guillemots and kittiwakes perched on the cliff face came into view - a truly amazing sight and an undoubted highlight of the trip! Seals basking on Beginis Island rounded our tour off perfectly Would thoroughly reccomend it
Hello, thank you so much for taking the time to leave this lovely review. We are delighted you enjoyed your tour with us, and we look forward to welcoming you and your group back onboard in the future. Thanks again, Brendan & Elizabeth.
Had an absolutely fantastic experience with Aquaterra Boat Tours! Brendan and Elizabeth were brilliant- so knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the local culture and history. The trip was the perfect mix of fun and learning, with stunning scenery, dramatic cliffs, and plenty of sea life to spot along the way. The boat itself was amazing -so comfortable and well suited for all weather conditions, making the whole experience relaxed and enjoyable. Highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a memorable day on the water! It is the perfect Kerry trip for all ages and accessible to all!
Hello Heather, thank you so much for taking the time to leave this lovely review. We are delighted you enjoyed your tour with us, and we look forward to welcoming you and your group back onboard in the future. Thanks again, Brendan & Elizabeth.
We had a lovely afternoon on the aqua terra Valentia Island experience. Brendan is very knowledgeable and great to share local history. Seeing the caves and the rock formations, and church island were a high light. The boat is beautiful, a fab experience all round.
Hello, thank you so much for taking the time to leave this lovely review. We are delighted you enjoyed your tour with us, and we look forward to welcoming you and your group back onboard in the future. Thanks again, Brendan & Elizabeth.
Top of the range glass covered boat so we got protection and still the views. Both Brendan and Elizabeth were so friendly and cheerful on arrival. Great safety advice and help with life jackets at the beginning. Elizabeth's knowledge of the area and history was outstanding, delivered clearly and with humour. Brendan the skipper, having been born on the island also told some local stories and pointed out areas of interest. An amazing trip...would highly recommend this company for this trip or to The Skelligs.
Hello, thank you for your wonderful review. We're glad you all enjoyed the tour and hope to welcome you back next year. Thanks again, Brendan & Elizabeth.
What a great trip! Elizabeth and Brandon are super knowledgeable. So much information and so well presented. I would do this again and again.
Hello Freddy, thank you for your wonderful review. We're glad you all enjoyed the tour and hope to welcome you back next year. Thanks again, Brendan & Elizabeth.
This tour was great! Elizabeth and Brendan were fun and knowledgeable. I enjoyed hearing about Irish history and culture. Highly recommend!
Hello Kasey, thank you for your wonderful review. We're glad you all enjoyed the tour and hope to welcome you back next year. Thanks again, Brendan & Elizabeth.
