Bere Island Whale & Dolphin Watching

Want to see whales and dolphins off the Irish coast? Bere Island, sitting right at the mouth of Bantry Bay in County Cork, is a fantastic place for it. It's where amazing sea life meets rich history. The waters here are clean and full of life, attracting all sorts of creatures – you might spot orcas, playful bottlenose and common dolphins, and increasingly, huge humpback and fin whales. Their return has even caught the eye of international news! In total, twelve different whale and dolphin species have been seen here recently, thanks to the nutrient-rich waters and unique underwater habitats. The main watching season runs from July to December when the giants are migrating past.

But Bere Island isn't just about wildlife. Its position guarding the deep Berehaven Harbour made it vital militarily for centuries. You can still see the old British Martello towers and signal stations dotting the landscape, reminders of everything from the Napoleonic Wars to World War II. Go back further, and you'll find Bronze Age forts, ancient tombs, and medieval ruins. Local stories even link the island's name to a Spanish princess who became a Munster queen, hinting at its long history as a maritime crossroads.

Hop on a guided boat trip (like those run by Sea Safari), and you could find yourself watching whales breach near pods of dolphins, maybe even spotting a massive basking shark. The island also hosts an annual Wildlife Festival celebrating its natural wonders and history. Even when you're not on the water, exploring the island's rugged walks among the old military sites is a great way to mix history and nature spotting. Seeing the big whales return is a great sign of a healthy coast, and proof that Bere Island remains a key spot on Ireland's wild Atlantic edge.

Getting There

Reaching Bere Island involves getting to the Beara Peninsula in West Cork and then taking a short ferry ride.

1. Driving to the Ferry:

• From Dublin: Expect a drive of approximately 4.5 to 5 hours.
  1. Take the M7 southbound, then the M8 towards Cork.
  2. From Cork, follow the N71 south towards Bantry.
  3. Take the scenic R572 west along the Beara Peninsula towards Castletownbere.
• From Cork City: The drive takes around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
  1. Follow the N71 towards Bantry.
  2. Take the R572 west towards Castletownbere.
• On the Beara Peninsula: The R572 is the main road leading to the ferry departure points near Castletownbere. The drive through West Cork is beautiful but involves narrow and winding roads, so allow ample time.

2. Taking the Ferry:

Bere Island is served by two different ferry operators departing from the mainland near Castletownbere:

• Bere Island Ferries: Typically departs from 'The Pontoon' (signposted) just west of Castletownbere town centre and lands at the West End of Bere Island (Oileán na gCaorach).
• Murphy's Ferry Service: Typically departs from a point east of Castletownbere (signposted near Rerrin) and lands near Rerrin village on the eastern end of Bere Island.

Important: It is crucial to check the current timetables, fares, and booking requirements directly with both ferry operators (Bere Island Ferries and Murphy's Ferry Service) before you travel. Schedules vary seasonally, and booking, especially if taking a vehicle (though often unnecessary for whale watching trips), may be required. Confirm which part of the island each ferry serves to best suit your plans.

3. Whale Watching Departure Point:

While the ferries get you to Bere Island, your specific whale watching tour operator (like Sea Safari mentioned earlier, or others operating in the area) will confirm their exact departure point. This might be:

• Directly from Castletownbere harbour on the mainland.
• From a specific pier on Bere Island itself (requiring you to take the ferry across first).

Always confirm the meeting point and time directly with your chosen whale watching tour provider when booking.

4. Public Transport:

• Bus Éireann operates services to Castletownbere, usually connecting through Cork City or Bantry.
• However, onward travel to the specific ferry points and aligning bus times with ferry/tour schedules can be challenging. Driving offers the most flexibility for exploring this area.

Parking

Available Parking Facilities
- MacMillan Wharf Car Park: The closest paid parking lot, located directly across from Fisherman's Wharf. It's a 10-minute walk to the whale watching departure point.
- Village Car Park: A free lot off Prince Street, approximately a 15-minute walk from Fisherman's Wharf.
- Riley's Parking: A paid lot on Bradford Street, 7 minutes' walk to the wharf.
- Grace Hall Parking Area: Behind the high school on Bradford and Prince Streets, free and a 10-minute stroll to the attraction.

Parking Fees & Payment
- MacMillan Wharf: Charges apply (credit/debit cards or coins accepted).
- Riley's Parking: Small fee required.
- Village and Grace Hall Lots: Both are free to use.

Time Restrictions & Hours
- MacMillan Wharf: Open 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Other Lots: No specific time limits are noted, but plan accordingly if staying for extended periods.

Accessibility
- Designated disabled parking is unavailable at the village or Grace Hall lots. The walk from these areas is unsuitable for wheelchairs or strollers. MacMillan Wharf's accessibility options are not specified, so contact them directly for details.

Peak Season Tips
- Parking fills quickly during busy periods. Arrive early to secure a spot.
- If MacMillan Wharf is full, try Riley's Parking, Grace Hall, or the village lot as alternatives.

Important Notes
- No street parking is permitted on the island.
- The Bere Island Hotel offers parking for guests only (a 5-minute walk to Fisherman's Wharf).

Plan your arrival 20 minutes before your trip's departure time to allow for parking and the short walk to the wharf.

Pricing

These privacy tour companies offer tours around Bere Island:

1. Cork Whale Watch

Cork Whale Watch offers dedicated whale watching trips departing from Reen Pier near Union Hall. The pricing structure is as follows:

• Standard adult rate: €60 per person.
• Children (under 18 years): €45 per person.
• Full-time students (with valid Student ID card): €50 per person.
• Charter trip for groups/larger families: €600 for a 4-5 hour trip (Maximum 12 Passengers).

Link to pricing page: https://corkwhalewatch.com/whale-watching-trips-and-bookings/

2 Dursey Boat Trips

Dursey Boat Trips offers two main boat trips that provide opportunities for wildlife viewing around the Beara Peninsula:

• Bull Rock Trip: €60 per person for a 1.5-hour trip.
• Castletownbere Harbour Trip: €50 per person for a 1.5-hour trip.
• Group & Custom Tours: Available upon request, with pricing not specified.

Link to website: https://durseyboattrips.com/

3 Bantry Bay Boat Hire (Sea Safari RIB)

Bantry Bay Boat Hire's Sea Safari RIB tour explores Bantry Bay and offers the chance to see various marine wildlife. The pricing for this tour is straightforward:

• Sea Safari: €50 per person.

Link to pricing page: https://www.bantrybayboathire.ie/sea-safari-rib

4 Skellig Coast Discovery

Skellig Coast Discovery's tour focuses on the Beara Peninsula coast and includes the possibility of whale and dolphin watching. The pricing is as follows:

• Adult: €50 per person.
• Child (2-14): €40 per person.
• Private Tour: €550.

Link to pricing page: https://www.skelligcoastdiscovery.com/our-tours/derrynane-beara-peninsula-coast-islands-and-bull-rock/

5 Bantry Bay Charters

Bantry Bay Charters offers a 3-hour Marine Wildlife Tour departing from Glengarriff and Bantry. The prices are as follows:

• Per Person: €60.
• Under 12 yrs: €50.
• Under 3yrs: Free.

Link to website: https://bantrybaycharters.ie/groups-individuals-adventures/marine-wildlife-tour/

6 Wave Chieftain Whale Watching & Coastal Tours

We couldn't find pricing information for Wave Chieftain Whale Watching & Coastal Tours.

Link to website: https://www.aquaventures.ie/

7 Whale Watch West Cork

Whale Watch West Cork offers whale and dolphin watching tours from Baltimore Harbour. The price for these tours is €55 per person.

Link to website: http://www.whalewatchwestcork.com/

8 Activity Days (Boat Tours Bantry Bay)

Activity Days offers boat tours in Bantry Bay. A "Bantry House and Whiddy Island Tour" is listed at €45. For detailed information on their Bantry Bay boat tours and pricing, direct contact is recommended.

Link to website: https://activitydays.ie/tour/boat-tours-bantry-bay/

9 Bere Island Ferries/Local Operators

The Bere Island community website indicates that whale watching is an activity available on the island. However, specific details about tour operators and their pricing are not provided. Contacting the Bere Island Projects Group CLG is advised for this information.

Link to general activities page: https://www.bereisland.net/activities/

Summary of Tour Operators

Here's all those option in a table:

Nearby Attractions