Review: Great Blasket Island Wildlife Tour & Island Landing

Okay, so, if you’re thinking about heading out to Great Blasket Island, that place has almost a magic to it, and, a wildlife tour with an island landing sounds just completely incredible, right? Very recently, I went on just that trip, and I figured I’d give you my honest take on the whole thing. Very frankly, it’s just one of those spots you kind of have to witness to truly believe, but hopefully, my experience might just help you decide if it’s very much up your alley.

Booking and Preparations

The very first step for me was booking the tour, of course, so I went with Blasket Islands Eco Marine Tours, since they seemed really reputable, with quite positive feedback, too it’s almost a no-brainer. Arguably, their website was a bit easy to handle, which is usually a solid indicator, actually. So, you should book in advance, specifically during peak season (summer), that just ensures you snag a spot. So, remember that the weather in Ireland, that is, can be pretty unpredictable, very often, so check the forecast before your trip, too. Pack layers, definitely. So, that might be waterproofs, too it’s almost vital, as a matter of fact. And don’t forget sunscreen, either. Seriously, that’s something a lot of people forget, just because it’s Ireland.

The Boat Trip and Initial Impressions

Setting off from Dingle Harbor, alright, so that’s a really charming little town, anyway. The boat ride out was pretty cool, in some respects. The views of the Dingle Peninsula as you pull away, I mean, just outstanding, nearly. The guide, who seems like a true expert, by the way, gave us a lowdown on the island’s history, its people, plus just a bit of what we could expect to see. That set a great tone, it did, and got everyone really psyched for what was to come. Keep an eye out for dolphins or seals along the way, too it’s almost a bonus. I spotted a few playful dolphins leaping out of the water, so, I was lucky.

Landing on Great Blasket Island

Alright, so, landing on Great Blasket Island itself, I mean, what an experience, right? The boat approaches the pier at the old village, arguably it looks mostly like it was deserted in the ’50s, so, you get this strong sense of history right away, basically. The tour gives you, like, two or three hours on the island, and it really gives you plenty of time to explore at your own pace, actually. You can wander through the remains of the village, arguably the old stone cottages give off this very unique feeling, anyway. So, picture this: exploring deserted homes and imagining what life would’ve been back when, by the way, it adds to the whole tour a good bit.

Wildlife Encounters

Of course, alright, so the real draw of the tour is, you see, the wildlife. I went with this tour because of the promise of, well, lots of wildlife, so, fingers crossed, yeah? Arguably, the island is a haven for seals, various seabirds, very, very sometimes even whales, that can be viewed from the coast. Walking along the shore, yeah, that is something that a must. I got super close to a massive colony of seals lounging on the rocks, really. Watching them play in the waves was simply fascinating. It seemed just magical. Remember to bring binoculars if you have them, just so that you can just, you know, peep the birdlife, as a matter of fact. Puffins, gannets, and razorbills, basically all swoop and dive around the cliffs – absolutely a great thing.

Hiking and Scenery

Alright, so Great Blasket Island is like, a total paradise for walkers, with, what with numerous trails winding across it, right? That’s from pretty straightforward strolls to steeper climbs. So, naturally, you get all sorts of walkers visiting. I went on a hike to the top of one of the hills, really. So, I was treated to truly amazing views of the whole island, I mean, just totally panoramic, yeah? I recommend comfortable footwear since the terrain could be really uneven, just like the ground in old places tends to be.

The Cultural and Historical Significance

So, basically, this island, actually, has a past that is pretty interesting, specifically when you consider how small and cut-off it is, you know? That past touches you, actually, as you wander among the houses from, I think, it was the 19th century. The island was home to a pretty distinct Irish-speaking community whose tales and, I think it was, ways are deeply written into the very land. So, the visitor center, too it’s almost right on the mainland, that can fill you in on all the culture of those who used to reside here. Very honestly, it would pay you to check that visitor centre out before visiting the island itself, just to prep you with the historical information. You know?

Food and Facilities on the Island

Alright, so, a very crucial thing to keep in your awareness is that there are virtually no facilities available directly on Great Blasket Island, yeah? That might just mean bringing everything you need with you. Arguably, bring your own lunch, of course bring lots of water, also. I took a picnic with me, and that just found a great spot overlooking the ocean to eat it. That was great, in my opinion. Now, if you neglect that point, the closest location is, well, back at the mainland where there are very many different amenities to grab supplies or to visit restaurants to round-off your trip at the end of the day. The cafe almost at the visitor’s centre I mentioned, arguably offers warm meals for anyone in your travel group needing just that little boost.

What to Bring With You

Alright, here is your checklist that I followed to be fully happy with the trip and that you just might use yourself.

Layered clothing: It’s arguably always better to peel-off clothing when hiking the island’s hills when you could otherwise simply catch the cold.
Waterproof gear: I, too, would not overlook this point, too.
Sturdy boots: As previously mentioned, that ground isn’t even everywhere, or often.
Snacks and drinks: All trips are enhanced when you have your favourites at hand.
Binoculars: Arguably, they bring the bird- and sea-life close up for closer observation.
Camera: Clearly, you have to preserve memories that will last for a long time after.

So, that sounds reasonable, right? I recommend those things.

Overall Experience and Recommendations

In the final analysis, so, my Great Blasket Island wildlife tour, by the way, including landing on the island, I mean, a definite highlight of my trip to Ireland, just what it was. It’s arguably a memorable day out for anyone who really likes wildlife, nature, a bit of history, and very charming scenery, too it’s almost paradise. This tour provides this blend of scenic boat ride, history of island inhabitants, plus the natural wildlife to simply soak up. So, I advise booking with Blasket Islands Eco Marine Tours because their dedication to education of everyone around them makes what they’re doing not just another trip but something special and a tad different to whatever everyone else can come up with. But please, do prep for Ireland’s fast shifts with respect to how the weather changes from clear, just right into downpours. It’s very much the price you’ll sometimes pay for experiences this outstanding. You know?

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