Complete Guide To: INISHTURK
Inishturk (Inis Toirc) is a stunning, but small rugged island in the West coast of Ireland that sits in the Atlantic Ocean.
Name Origin: ‘Inis’ meaning island, and ‘Toirc’ meaning wild boar. Inis Toirc = Island of the Wild Boar.
ABOUT
Measuring just 5km by 2.5km, and home to around 60 islanders, Turk (as the locals call it) is a slice of paradise located 14km off the Mayo coast with stunning white sand beaches, crystal clear blue water and beautiful rugged scenery.
Sitting in the Atlantic Ocean between Clare Island and Inishbofin, Turk is one of the most underrated islands in the country that has some of the most impressive views and wildlife that Ireland has to offer.
Speaking of wildlife, in the summer months (May-July) basking sharks and puffins can be seen here. Various species of dolphins can be seen all year round.
Here’s everything you need to know about planning your visit to Inishturk!
HOW TO GET THERE
PIER
The main way to get to the island is from Roonagh Pier, about 35 minutes from Westport, Co. Mayo.
Google Maps
Apple Maps
GPS: 53.762923, -9.905046
PARKING
There is free parking at the pier. It is for both tourists and locals, so it’s quite limited and usually busy. I’d recommend having your tickets booked in advance, and get there early.
Especially for the summer months (June-Aug) be there at least 20 minutes before your boat departure time. It’s a busy pier that goes to Clare Island also. No one enjoys running for boats or forgetting to bring certain items!
FERRY
Inishturk Passenger Ferry operates a daily service to the island.
The ferry ride from Roonagh Pier to Inishturk Pier takes approx. 50 minutes. Keep your eyes peeled as it’s not uncommon to see dolphins, razorbills, or seals along the journey - you might even spot basking sharks and minke whales during the summer months!
It costs €24 for an adult return ticket.
SCHEDULE
Summer Times - March 31st to October 26th
Depart Roonagh Pier - Monday to Sunday: 10:30am, 2:00pm (June-Sep only), 6:15pm.
Depart Inishturk - Monday to Sunday: 9:15am, 1:00pm(June-Sep only), 5:15pm.
Winter Times - October 27th to March 30th
Depart Roonagh Pier - Monday to Sunday: 9:30am, 4:30pm.
Depart Inishturk - Monday to Sunday: 8:30am, 3:30pm.
MY FERRY EXPERIENCE
The day we visited Inishturk, we had some of the calmest conditions so our crossing experience was smooth and comfortable.
With that said, the journey from Roonagh Pier to Inishturk Pier takes approximately 50 minutes and the swell can get pretty wild here. So if you are easily sea sick or don’t like travelling on boats then I would either suggest going on a more calm day or take sea sickness tablets to improve your experience so you can start your visit on a better note.
WHAT CAN YOU BRING ON THE FERRY?
Bicycles, Kayaks, Stand Up Paddleboards, Prams/Strollers, Dogs (leashed) are all allowed on the ferry and on the island.
Please contact Inishturk Passenger Ferry at +353 87 241 3783 or inishturkpassengerferry@gmail.com to let them know beforehand.
You can also ask at the ticket office on the pier before boarding.
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend this island for wheelchair users. It is quite hilly and facilities aren’t wheelchair friendly (yet).
THINGS TO DO ON INISHTURK
Puffin Watching
In the summer months, between April and August, one of Ireland’s most famous visitors return to cliff faces and edges along the entire Irish coastline to breed and raise their pufflings.
Inishturk is the most accessible place in County Mayo to watch these beautiful creatures.
You’ll find them on the North-West side of the island where the Inishturk Sea Stacks are located.
I’d recommend bringing binoculars or a long lens for your camera to spot them clearly!
(Please note: It is illegal to disturb or harrass Puffins in Ireland under the Wildlife Act 1976. They are a protected species so please keep your distance near or at breeding sites.)
Basking Shark Watching
Basking sharks are the second largest fish in the world, can grow up to 30 feet in length and can weigh up to 7 tonnes!
They are slow-swimming filter feeders that feed on tiny plankton.
They can be seen around Ireland’s coast from early April to late July/August.
In the summer of 2024, over 30 basking sharks were spotted feeding around Inishturk for a period of 2 weeks (Report from IWDG Sightings).
The best times to spot them is during calm weather after a period of sustained sunshine as the calm weather will make it easier to see their dorsal fins, and the warm weather will increase the phytoplankton population near the surface of the water which they feed on.
(Please note: It is illegal to disturb or harrass Basking Sharks in Ireland under the Wildlife Act 1976. They are a protected species. View the code of conduct.
Dolphin/Whale Watching
Don’t forget to bring your binoculars!
Dolphins
Different species of dolphins can be seen all around the waters near Inishturk year round.
Keep your eyes peeled on your journey to and from the island as it’s not uncommon to find a pod accompany you on either journey.
Commons, bottlenose, white-beaked, Atlantic white-sided, Risso’s can be found all along the west coast at any time of year.
Whales
The most common type of whale that is reported and spotted along Ireland’s coast are Minke (pronounced: ming-key). They are quite unpredictable as they will surface for a few seconds, disappear for 5-10 minutes and pop up elsewhere.
Sea Swimming Spots
Portdoon Harbour
One of my favourite swim spots on the island, and possibly on the entire island of Ireland, is Portdoon harbour.
What makes it so unique is that it is a tidal harbour.
At low tide it is a completely empty, rocky beach, but at high tide it fills up with crystal clear water, high enough to jump from the pier or rocks into.
From July onwards, the water here is very warm. During low tide, the rocks at the bottom of the harbour are exposed to the sun and are heated up. When the tide starts to rise again, the warm rocks heat up this water slowly making the water much warmer to swim in than other locations around the country. Try it!
2. Tránaun Beach
Photo Credit: Failte Ireland Content Pool
Another brilliant and popular swimming spot on the island is Tránaun Beach.
The entrance is located directly opposite to the Inishturk Community Club at the top of the hill and is marked by a small gate that leads right down to the beach.
A great place to chill for the day, swim in unbelievable teal water, build sandcastles or just grab a postcard photo of Mayo and Galway’s coastline with incredible views of the tallest peak in Connaught (Mweelrea) and the Twelve Bens mountain range.
Hiking
There are a few trails to follow on the island with various points of interests.
What I’d recommend is to just walk and see what you can find once you get off the boat! It’s quite a small island so it’ll only take you a few hours to walk around.
Here’s some points of interests that are not to be missed:
Community Club
Tránaun Beach
Portdoon Harbour
Inishturk GAA Pitch
Sea Stacks
Puffins at the Sea Stacks/Cliffs
Tale of the Tongs
Hiking Route
But if you’re looking for a route to follow, here’s what I would recommend - in order:
Start at the Pier (red pin).
Walk up towards Ocean View House B&B.
Follow the trail, plenty of photo points all along here, it’s stunning!
Next stop: Tale of the Tongs.
Make your way down the trail and you'll see a trail marker on your right indicating the start of the trail to the Sea Stacks.
Follow this trail up the mountain.
Next photo point: Sea Stacks.
Please be careful, it is extremely exposed!Keep an eye out for puffins nesting at the top of the cliffs. If you have your binoculars, there are hundreds on the water and lower on the cliffs.
Follow the trail markers back towards the GAA pitch.
Next photo point: GAA pitch. It’s one of the most scenic pitches in the country.
Follow the path back down towards Portdoon Harbour.
Go for a swim at Portdoon Harbour.
Follow the path back towards the Community Club.
Entrance for Tránaun beach is in front of the Club.
Make your way back to the pier!
You can also follow this route in the opposite direction if you want to go for a swim at Tránaun or Portdoon Harbour first!
Camping
When the weather suits, one of the best things you can do here is to camp and enjoy the island at a slower pace. You’ll be able to see everything and fully enjoy all of the things you can do and see here without having to rush back on the evening ferry to Roonagh.
If you plan on camping, please ask Inishturk Passenger Ferry first or email Deborah at community@inishturkisland.com.
I camped at Portdoon Harbour after asking for permission from Deborah (email linked above), it was beautiful, I swam in the harbour, and the next morning I woke up to a pod of dolphins feeding a few hundred metres in front of my tent as I was cooking breakfast!
NB: Please make sure to leave no trace, bring your litter home and do not light fires on the grass. Leave the place as good, if not better, than you found it for the next person!
