An Authentic Experience
Showcasing The Saltee Islands
& Kilmore Quay, Wexford
Tour Details
Adults : €40
0-12 years: €20.00
Please note that the Ferry does not run during the winter months (September 1st to March 31st)
To enquire about our private hire option, VIEW PRIVATE HIRE
April Weekends only, May & June 7 days a week.
09:00 am – Pick Up at 12:30 pm (on demand only)
10:00 am – Pick Up at 2:00 pm (on demand only)
11:00 am – Pick Up at 3:00 pm
12 Noon – Pick Up at 4:00 pm
1:00 pm – Pick Up at 5.00 pm
Please note additional sailings may be added subject to demand.
July & August
11:00 am – Return at 2:30 pm
12 Noon – Return at 3:30 pm
1:00 pm – Return at 4.30 pm
The Saltee Ferry departure point is at the top of the harbour in Kilmore Quay beside the boat launching slip. It is a yellow gate signposted “Saltee Ferry”. Proceed down the gangway to the boat if the gate is open. If the gate is closed, please wait for the boat captain to arrive.
Arriving by bus, the bus stop is beside the boat launching slip. Look to the right, and you will see the ferry gate.
If travelling by car, you will find free car parking adjacent to the harbour.
Your boat trip will start at Kilmore Quay Harbour, where we are fully signposted.
The boat journey to the Islands takes approximately twenty minutes across the open sea. This means you are exposed to wind and spray from the waves with a chance that you will get wet during the crossing. There is limited sheltered seating available on the boats.
On arrival at the island, you will be fitted with a lifejacket and transferred to another smaller boat, then brought to shore. There is no pier or dock on the island. Be prepared to get your feet wet! We recommend bringing a pair of wellies or going barefoot and bringing a towel. There could be seaweed or loose slippery stones underfoot along the shore. A visit to the island requires a certain amount of stamina and fitness. Conditions vary daily, depending on weather and tide, and are beyond our control.
The Island is then yours to explore until your return time. Your boat crew will give you a specific return time upon arrival. You must return for your scheduled ferry departure, as you cannot be accommodated on other scheduled sailings. Please arrive back at the landing area in good time for your return journey to Kilmore Quay.
Note: The island terrain is rugged. At the landing area, you will need to climb the ancient stone steps to access the rest of the island. There are no level paths. Paths are worn tracks by walkers and uneven from animals digging and burrowing. It is not buggy-friendly.
For additional information, please see our FAQs at the bottom of this page.
Coming from Wexford: Follow the N25 to Rosslare Harbour. Approximately two miles after the Drinagh roundabout on the outskirts of Wexford, there is a signpost for the R739 to Kilmore Quay. Turn right here and follow the road to Kilmore Quay through Ballycogley and Kilmore village. Kilmore Quay is approximately three miles past Kilmore village.
Coming from Rosslare: Take the N25 to Wexford town. Pass through Kilrane, Tagoat and Killinick. Two miles after Killinick take a left turn onto the R739 signposted for Kilmore Quay. Follow the directions as above from here.
Coming from Waterford: Follow the N25 to Wexford and directions from Wexford as above. Alternatively take the Passage East Car Ferry to Ballyhack and follow the R733 through Arthurstown, Ramsgrange and Wellingtonbridge. A few miles past Wellingtonbridge, turn right at the petrol station onto the R738 and follow the road until you come to Kilmore Quay. It is approximately 40minutes drive from Ballyhack to Kilmore Quay.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT LINKS
By Train: The nearest train stations are Wexford O’Hanrahan Station in Wexford town or Rosslare Europort train station. Services are limited. www.irishrail.ie
By Bus: Daily bus services to and from Wexford town via two routes, Murrintown/Bridgetown and Drinagh/Ballycogley, are provided by Wexford Bus. For current timetables, please visit www.wexfordbus.ie
By Taxi: Local Taxis are also available but MUST be pre-booked in advance.
To ensure a smooth journey for all passengers, please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. The Saltee Ferry cannot be responsible for public transport delays.
⚠️ If you miss your sailing, we may not be able to accommodate you on other sailings due to high demand.
Public toilets are located at Kilmore Quay harbour. To find them, follow the road towards the car park and playground; the toilet building is immediately on your right as you pass the pier wall. You will also find several restaurants at Kilmore Quay overlooking the harbour.
Please note that there are no facilities whatsoever on the island—no toilets, shops, refreshments, or shelter.
We strongly recommend bringing adequate food and water, and wearing suitable clothing and footwear for changeable conditions. Be prepared for sun, wind, and rain.
Unfortunately, we do not offer any cancellations but we can offer rescheduling up to 3 working days ahead of your scheduled trip in advance of your booking. Please read our Cancellation Policy for more details.
- Refunds are ONLY offered for cancellations made by us due to inclement weather.
In the event we have to cancel a ferry due to inclement conditions or unforeseen circumstances, your ticket will be refunded to the card that was used to pay for the ticket. Your refund will normally arrive in your account within 3-5 working days. We reserve the right to cancel the trip up to the time the ferry is due to leave Kilmore Quay. You may reschedule your booking via our booking system at an available time that is convenient to you.
- Late arrivals are non-transferrable and non-refundable.
We strongly advise that you leave plenty of time to get to Kilmore Quay and to park your vehicle. Kilmore Quay is a bustling little harbour in the summer, and parking can fill up quickly, particularly at weekends. We advise that you are at the Saltee Ferry gate at least 30 minutes prior to your trip. Due to the high demand, late arrivals cannot be accommodated on the next sailing. If you arrive late, then you have unfortunately lost your booking.
- Confirmed bookings cannot be rescheduled within 3 working days of the scheduled trip. Refunds are not available.
To reschedule your booking, contact the office via email (office@threesisterscruisecompany.com) more than 3 working days ahead of your scheduled trip.
Starting Point
Photography
It is an offence under the Wildlife Act to disturb birds on or near their nest site. Please respect the breeding seabirds of Saltee by keeping your distance from their breeding colonies to allow these birds to safely incubate, feed and raise their chicks.
Puffins are particularly impacted as their burrows can collapse if people walk within the colony. Please stay outside of the puffin colonies if possible, stick to the paths and preferably use the higher path away from the cliff. If on the lower path near the cliff, do not linger in one place, do not sit down and keep moving to allow adults to access their burrows to feed their chicks.
Do not have picnics in or near the puffin colonies, as you could be preventing them from accessing their burrows to feed hungry chicks, and gulls can steal the puffins’ fish while it waits for you to move off. Take all litter home with you and do not feed any birds on the island.
It is an offence under the Wildlife Act to take photos of protected wild birds at or near their nests without a photography licence from NPWS if birds are being disturbed. It is also an offence under the Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations to carry out commercial recreational activities on Saltee without ARC consent from the Minister.
If you are concerned about the behaviour of any visitors disturbing the birds, please phone National Parks and Wildlife Service Conservation Ranger on 00353 1 5393291 to raise your concerns.
Photography Licence link for taking photos of breeding birds on or near the nest, e.g. puffins and wild animals on or near their breeding site e.g. grey seal
ARC application link https://www.npws.ie/farmers-and-landowners/activities-requiring-consent
Regarding the ARCs (Activities Requiring Consent), please see link of the statutory instrument for the Saltee Island SPA which lists the ARCs for this site https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2010/si/274/made/en/print and the statutory instrument for the Saltee Island SAC which lists the ARCs for the Saltee Island SAC https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2019/si/300/made/en
A Special Area of Conservation
Set Sail to Saltee Island and visit our Friends
A weekend-only ferry service from Kilmore Quay to the Great Saltee runs from April, and a daily service runs from May through to August.
A very popular day out, it is advisable to book your place on the ferry well in advance, especially during the peak summer months of July and August. While the islands are spectacular, they are also a nature reserve without facilities. A visit to the island requires a certain amount of stamina and fitness.
Journey time to the Great Saltee Island is approximately 20 minutes.
An Crosán and An Foracha, the ferry boats, are licensed by the Department of Transport and fitted with a full inventory of safety and lifesaving equipment, including lifejackets.
It is not a requirement to wear a lifejacket whilst travelling as a passenger on these boats.
The island is privately owned. We ask that you respect the privacy of the owners and their property. Follow all signs as directed.
To protect the birds and wildlife:
- Do not leave any litter of any kind behind you.
- The use of drones is strictly forbidden.
- No dogs are allowed on the island.
- The lighting of fires is strictly forbidden.
- Please do not approach nesting birds closer than 6 metres.
The journey is across open sea. This means you are exposed to wind and spray from the waves with a chance that you will get wet during the crossing. There is inside sheltered seating available on the boats. Of course here in Ireland, there is also a chance of rain. So don’t forget to pack your wet gear!
In the event we have to cancel a ferry due to inclement conditions or unforeseen circumstances, your ticket will be refunded to the card that was used to pay for the ticket. Your refund will normally arrive in your account within 3-5 working days.
We reserve the right to cancel the trip up to the time the ferry is due to leave Kilmore Quay. You may reschedule your booking via our booking system at an available time that is convenient to you.
To go ashore on the Great Saltee Island, passengers are transferred from the ferry to a dinghy (lifejacket provided). There is no dock or pier. Conditions at the landing point are subject to weather and tides. On arriving at the shore, you will step out of the dinghy on to, at best, the sandy shore. Depending on the tide, you may need to step into the waters edge. There could also be seaweed, or loose slippery stones along the shore. Conditions vary on a daily basis depending on weather and tide and are beyond our control.
Appropriate footwear that you do not mind getting soiled or wet (for example, wellies) is recommended. Or be prepared to remove your shoes and go barefoot.
There are no facilities on the island, that is there are no toilets, no shops or no refreshments available and no shelter from the elements.
Suitable clothing, footwear and sun/wind/rain protection for the weather on the day as well as adequate refreshments is recommended. Remember the weather is changeable throughout the day.
Give someone the gift of memories
Gift cards must be redeemed online and will not be accepted at the Marina . All our gift cards have no expiry date and are non refundable.
FAQs
There is no facilities to buy food or drink on the island. There is a supermarket in the village and cafes nearby.
On arrival at the Saltee Islands, passengers must put on a lifejacket before disembarking from the ferry boat to the dinghy (small boat), to be brought to shore.
No problem, date changes can be made up to 72 hours prior to booking date but must be made by email.
On arrival at the Saltee Islands, passengers must put on a lifejacket before disembarking from the ferry boat to the dinghy (small boat), to be brought to shore.
As required by law, lifejackets for all passengers are stowed onboard for use in the event of an emergency. Passengers are not required to wear a lifejacket on the ferry boat. Nor is the captain required to provide a lifejacket for this journey.
On arrival at the Saltee Islands, passengers must put on a lifejacket before disembarking from the ferry boat to the dinghy (small boat), to be brought to shore.
Islands, passengers must put on a lifejacket before disembarking from the ferry boat to the dinghy (small boat), to be brought to shore.
Due to the limited amount of space on the boat and the dinghy transfer across to the island, should you wish to bring a buggy we would ask that it be extremely lightweight and foldable.
Note: the island terrain is rugged. At the landing area you will need to climb the set of ancient stone steps to access the rest of the island. There are no level paths. Paths are worn tracks by walkers and uneven from animals digging and burrowing. It is not buggy-friendly.
No. All of our sailings are scheduled. Passenger lists for each scheduled crossing cannot be changed.
Note: the island terrain is rugged. At the landing area you will need to climb the set of ancient stone steps to access the rest of the island. There are no level paths. Paths are worn tracks by walkers and uneven from animals digging and burrowing. It is not buggy-friendly.
The trip is not suitable for anyone with any limited mobility. The boat trip includes stepping from the main boat to a small dinghy to go ashore. There is no landing dock or pier. On arrival, you may need to step into the water’s edge when getting out of the dinghy. There could be seaweed, or loose slippery stones along the shore. Conditions vary daily, depending on weather and tide, and are beyond our control.
To leave the beach, there are uneven stone steps to climb. The island itself is wild terrain with no built pathways. Rabbits and other wildlife can cause disturbance in the ground making the surface very uneven in parts.
Caution is advised for all visitors. Children should be constantly supervised at all times by an accompanying adult.
Yes, it is strongly advised that you reserve your place through our online booking system as the boat fills up fast.
Yes we do. If the availability required for your group is not available online then please contact us directly.
No, we can only accept bookings through our online booking system.
For group bookings that cannot be accommodated by our online system, please contact us directly.
Please note our office hours are from Monday to Friday 9-5.30.
Emails will only be checked intermittently outside of these hours and week-ends, so please expect a delay in response.
Our Guides Offer Charming Irish Cultural Hotspots
Experience the Thrill of our Boat Trips
Blessed with a beautiful day to travel with the Saltee Ferry out to the Island for one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in Ireland. The lads on the ferry are really great. Super friendly and organised. enjoyed the boat trip out to Saltee then the wee trip ashore in the rib. Also enjoyed the wet landing 🙂
The views were fab, our family with 3 kids loved it. The Saltee Ferries team were all welcoming and lovely to us all. Well run operation. Enjoyed every minute of the 4 hours, the sun shined, the birds and island were beautiful and got a dip in at the beach on the island #heaven
We could not have scripted better weather for our trip on Saturday 11 May. Booking done online quick and easy Our trip almost got derailed a day or 2 earlier as a boat had broken down but fortunately they managed to sort everything out and still did our trip as originally planned.
