Inishturk Island Excursion
Setting sail from Clifden Harbour aboard the Bluewater charter boat, Inishturk Island Excursion is a chartered day tour of one of Ireland's most picturesque and interesting spectacular and isolated coastal islands.
Set off the Coast of Mayo and measuring some 2.5 x 1.7 miles, Inishturk is an Island that boasts some of the most spectacular sea cliff scenery of anywhere in Ireland. The cliffs are covered in nesting seabirds and are fascinating to most people and are an ornithologists paradise. Inishturk also has beautiful sandy beaches just a few minutes walk from the quay. Inishturk is an inhabited island, home to 85 people, who are generally friendly and welcoming of guests to their island. The island remains pleasantly free of tourist amenities. There are no shops as such, there is a community centre that also serves as the island's only pub.
The island trip starts in Cleggan outside of Clifden where you will board Blue Water. The trip takes 35 mins and passes buy neighbouring Island Inishboffin which is also home to 180 people and uninhabited Davilaun and if you are lucky you will get an escort from the local pod of Bottlenose Dolphins.
Sometime during trip to Inishturk, the Captain John Brittain, an avid angler will inevitably stop to see how many different species of fish are biting. They almost always are! With fishing tackle is provided on board, you are encouraged to have a go at catching one.
On arrival at Inishturk Quay guests either head for the beaches for a lazy afternoon or take an escorted walk around the island with John, skipper and owner of Blue Water who has a good knowledge of the bird life and history of the island. The walk takes at most 3 hours and is only moderately strenuous with the majority of it on paths. Participants climb to the Napoleonic signal tower at the highest point of the Island from where there is a fantastic view of the mountains of Connemara, Mayo and neighbouring Clare Island.
Descending to the cliff edge on the west side of the Island and try, you can often spot the Peregrine Falcons amongst the Fulmers Puffins Choughs and more. Usually the walk seems to finish at the community centre which is also the islands only pub and from there its back to Blue Water and Cleggan with another fishing stop for those interested.
If You Go: Inishturk Island Excursion is a chartered day tour and must be arranged in advance. A maximum of twelve people can be accommodated. Tours depart at 10.00 and return at 18.00 hrs.
