Aqua Terra Boat Tours

Embark on an unforgettable journey along the breathtaking Kerry coastline with Aqua Terra Boat Tours, where history, nature, and sustainability come together. Sharing a deep connection to the sea and the extraordinary cultural and geographical wonders of this ancient coastline, husband-and-wife duo Brendan and Elizabeth invite you to explore the hidden gem of Valentia Island and the legendary Skellig Coast.

Their immersive, fully-guided experiences bring to life the stories of Skellig monks, Vikings, high kings, Irish pirates, and of course, the lighthouse keepers.

As you journey along the renowned Skellig Coast, you’ll encounter inspiring landscapes and storied landmarks, from the UNESCO-listed Sceilg Mhichíl to the secluded Inishtearaght Lighthouse on one of the Blasket Islands. Step aboard ‘The Navigator’, a custom-built, wheelchair-accessible passenger boat, or ‘Skellig Bounty’, Ireland’s first sustainably-licensed tour vessel, designed to reduce emissions while delivering a world-class experience. 

Aqua Terra is committed to responsible tourism, preserving the region’s rich maritime heritage while offering five-star-rated, interactive adventures in Ireland’s only marine park – Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara. This is more than just a boating experience, this is an eco-conscious exploration of Ireland’s wild Atlantic frontier; where history, nature, and sustainability meet on Kerry’s Wild Atlantic Way.

To book your Valentia Island and Skellig Coast adventure, visit kerryaquaterra.ie for an adventure to remember. 

A quick history

• Valentia Island Lighthouse sits on the site of the 17th-century fort known as ‘Fleetwood’ Fort.
• Built in 1653 to guard the entrance to Valentia Harbour against invaders, 40 soldiers and eight cannons were stationed here.
• The lighthouse was designed by famed civil engineer, George Halpin Senior.
• First exhibited on the 1st of February 1841, the light boasted 2000-candle power and could be seen for 12 miles in clear weather.
• A lighthouse keeper lived with his family on site until 1947, when the lighthouse was automated.

Did you know?

• The fossilised footprints of a tetrapod are located near the lighthouse. A Tetrapod (the first four-legged animal with a backbone) stepped from water onto land here over 300 million years ago.
• A standing stone, dating back to the Bronze Age (3000-1200 BC) still marks the site at Cromwell Point where the lighthouse was built.
• From the lighthouse, you’ll see one of the landing points for the transatlantic cable that connected Europe with North America for the first time in 1866 – marking the birth of modern communication.
• Supposedly there’s a dungeon below the lighthouse!
• Beginish Island, just across from Valentia Lighthouse, was inhabited by Vikings between the 9th and 12th centuries. Two Viking settlements were excavated on Beginish in 1965.