Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara – Ireland’s First Marine National Park!

Dingle Dolphin Boat Tours have got some fin-tastic news to share—our beloved home waters have become part of Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, Ireland’s first ever marine national park!

Established in 2024, this breathtaking park stretches across land and sea, covering some of the most iconic and biodiverse areas of the Dingle Peninsula. And yes, Dingle Dolphin’s Boat tours take place right in the heart of a national park. How cool is that?

What Does Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara Mean?

Don’t worry if you’re not an Irish speaker – we’ve got you covered!

Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara is the Irish name for Marine National Park.

• Páirc means Park
• Náisiúnta means National
• na Mara means of the Sea

So, when you hear Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, it simply means:
👉 “Marine National Park of Kerry”

It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful place—where Ireland’s land, sea, wildlife, and heritage all come together.

Want to say it like a local? Try:
🗣️ “Park naw-shewn-ta na marra”

What’s in the Park?

Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara isn’t just a name—it’s a celebration of Kerry’s raw beauty, history, and wildlife. The park includes:

• Great Blasket Island – Famous for its wild charm, Irish-language heritage, and stunning coastal cliffs.
• The Skelligs – Including Skellig Michael, the jaw-dropping monastic site that’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site (and Star Wars film star 🌟).
• Dingle Peninsula’s coastline – From sea caves to dolphin-inhabited bays, it’s a marine wonderland.
• Mountains, rivers & boglands – Yes, the park goes inland too! All part of one stunning ecosystem.

Whether you’re walking the headlands, diving beneath the waves, or cruising with us (Dingle Dolphin Boat Tours) by boat, you’re experiencing nature in its purest form.

Image Source: Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí – National Parks of Ireland

What Does This Mean for Visitors?

For you, our guests, it means every trip with us is now a voyage through a protected paradise. The marine national park designation helps preserve:

• 🐬 Marine mammals, including local dolphins, whales and basking sharks.
• 🐦 Seabirds galore, like puffins, gannets, and storm petrels.
• 🪸 Underwater life, from kelp forests to coral-like limestone reefs.
• 🏝 Cultural gems, like the storytelling ruins on Great Blasket Island and the centuries-old stone steps of Skellig Michael.

And don’t worry—Dingle Dolphin’s boats and tours already follow eco-friendly practices that align with the park’s conservation goals. Nature first, always.

A Deeper Connection

We’ve been offering boat tours here for over 30 years, and every trip is a reminder of how special this place is. With the national park designation, there’s now a deeper recognition of what locals and visitors alike have always known: this part of Kerry is magic.

As stewards of these waters, we’re proud to be part of the park’s future – protecting, celebrating, and sharing its beauty with the world.

Come Explore With Us!

Dingle Dolphin’s boat tours run daily (weather permitting!), taking you through the most scenic and wildlife-rich areas of the new park. From seal sightings near the Blasket Islands to puffins soaring past Slea Head, you never know what wonders await.

📍 Book your tour today and experience the Dingle Peninsula’s wild heart – now proudly part of Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí.

See you on the water!

With love from Dingle,
The Dingle Dolphin Boat Tours Crew

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