Fastnet Rock Lighthouse & Cape Clear Island tour departing Baltimore. West Cork.
4.5
Fastnet Rock Lighthouse & Cape Clear Island tour departing Baltimore. West Cork.
By Ireland Wild Escapes
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 3-80, max of 90 per group
Duration: 6h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Audio guide: English
More
- Restroom on board
What's not included- No food or drink available on the ferry.
- Start:
- Baltimore Ferry, Baltimore, Co. Cork, IrelandDepart from harbour, please arrive 20 minutes before departure time.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 11121P210- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for pregnant travellers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travellers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 90 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 11121P210
From
£53.67
per adult
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Itinerary
- Baltimore, Co. Cork, IrelandDepart from harbour, please arrive 20 minutes before departure time.
- Pass byBaltimoreBaltimore Beacon
- 1Cape Clear Island is situated off the coast of West Cork on the Wild Atlantic Way. The Island is 8 miles by ferry from the mainland and is the nearest inhabited area to the famous Fastnet Rock Lighthouse. It is three and a half miles long by one and a half miles wide and has a permanent Irish speaking population of 130 which increases significantly during the summer months.Pass byFastnet RockWild Atlantic Way
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- brendarY6904KU0 contributionsBeautiful walking and horse drawn jaunty.It was gorgeous! We loved Killarney National Park. Part walking and part riding in a horse drawn jaunty. Beautiful and so much fun!Written 21 November 2024
- X7505YEjoshuab0 contributionsJust an epic day filled with amazing sitesAn amazing ferry ride over very smooth sailing. The island itself is a thing of beauty, round every corner there’s breathtaking scenery, wild animals to try and spot along with beautiful old and new architecture.Written 11 November 2024
- W3167YWmegant0 contributionsA truly incredible experience!This experience was terrific. The ride was 3 hours long and we covered a lot of distance, even though my husband and I are pretty inexperienced riders. I was sorry that we kind of held the rest of the group back (true riders) but Peter (the head guide and owner of the farm/business) was really great about everything. The views are truly breathtaking and the camaraderie was strong. The weather was changeable throughout (windy, foggy, rainy) but somehow that just added to the amazing-ness of the experience. I told Peter at the end of the ride that it was an experience of a lifetime and I meant it.Written 16 October 2024
- GatorLove0 contributionsBeautiful views, wonderful experience.I had ridden years ago but not recently. My tour guide Ashley gave a great commentary about the park as we rode and Clive was sweet and fun to ride. Rainbows, red deer, mountains and lakes it was amazing. Wish I had signed up for the two hour tour.Written 14 October 2024
- wendyhM8921CY0 contributionsSeniors on holiday from NYBook it now, what an awesome experience. The weather was wonderful, the shipmates could not have been more helpful about explaining the surrounding area. The cliff's were breathtaking. Last time in April it had been cancelled, this time was perfect.Written 12 October 2024
- teegarooney0 contributionsGreat time!As someone who is an experienced rider, I really enjoyed this 2 hour trail ride through the Killarney National Park. The staff were kind, treated the horses well, and the sights were lovely. Most of the ride was walking with a few points of trotting. Upon arrival, you sign in to the left of the barn (main office) and are instructed to try on helmets and boots to find some that fit (to the right of where you walked in/straight out of the check-in area). The staff match you with a horse that should be well-matched to your experience (or lack thereof) level. In my group it seemed they follow the concept of the most experienced riders go in the back of the group and the least experienced closest to the front, which is typical for trail rides with mixed experience. So don't fear of being left behind if you've barely or never ridden! :)Written 8 October 2024
- CraigJ7680 contributionsWhat a Price Point and That’s not in a Good Way.Gabriel was an entertaining guide and certainly knew the island. Other than that it was the worst value tour I have taken in years and that includes private tours in Italy, Scotland, France, Norway, and Sweden. We prefer private tours but in this case the Hop On Hop Off would have been the better choice.Written 3 October 2024
- ellenwF9975SG0 contributionsEnjoy the sea spray—it’s part of the experience.Great time on the water! Beautiful scenery and courteous staff. Ride up top and enjoy the sea spray! Dress warmly and wear a poncho.Written 3 October 2024
- Linerguy0 contributionsSlieve League from the sea!Overall we had a lovely time, but there were a few things that sort of irked us. First, the trip was supposed to start at 11:30 a.m., but people were late and we didn't get underway until almost noon. The way I see it, it doesn't make sense to hold up dozens of people who were thoughtful enough to arrive on time just to accommodate four people who weren't. Next, we sat on the top deck, thinking we would have an excellent view. Instead, the seats are so close together, and the rows so narrow that it's nearly impossible to see when people on the end seats stand up and take photos. If you were in the middle seats and wanted to stand up and go to the rail, you'd have to fight your way through people who didn't want to stand who were sitting on either side of you. We were lucky to encounter a pod of dolphins, and the captain stopped the boat while they swam around us. Problem was, the people in the end seats would stand at the rail, and so we couldn't really see them. In the company's defense, they did have signs posted on the rail, asking people to not block other people's view, but they said nothing to them when they did. Some information given in the pre-recorded narration was not correct. As we were passing the coastline on our way to Slieve League, it said that the Cunard liner, LUSITANIA, had called there. Being an ocean liner enthusiast and the author of several books on ocean liners - not to mention a collector of ocean liner memorabilia, including items from LUSTANIA - I'm 100% certain the ship did not call anywhere in County Donegal. The only Irish port LUSITANIA called at was Queenstown (now Cobh), where she anchored off Roche's Point. The ship would also occasionally call at Fishguard in Wales on her way to and from Liverpool. County Donegal would be nearly 400 nautical miles out of her way. Having said all this, I will say the crew were super friendly, and we felt perfectly safe. Slieve League is incredible, and although we've seen it from atop, it was amazing to see it at sea level.Written 25 September 2024
- Depoh990 contributionsCan't Recommend Enough!! 5* Loved it :)Absolutely wonderful experience! I spent the whole ride with a smile on my face, the horses, the views, the very nice expert ladies who guided us, everything was just splendid. I want to do this again next time I visit, and I recommend you do the same!Written 16 September 2024
- adoniskebab0 contributionsA great place to visit when in CorkA fantastic up close experience with a knowledgeable guide . We have done the Dublin tour but i would say this tops it . The tots of whiskey and drink at the end are worth the admission fee aloneWritten 10 September 2024
- Jennifer Z0 contributionsMore than I bargained on an already great tripParking as in all of Ireland can be a doozy. It was little unclear where to enter the marina- there’s gates kind of everywhere, but there’s a little free lot west of the ahoy cafe that is perfect. We parked about a block east of there is a mother free lot. Not bad but more walking than our accessibility challenged bodies would have liked. Get there early to get a good seat. Though I do t think there was a bad place to be on the boat. The crew were so pleasant. The weather was gorgeous. We dressed for cool on the water and I was downright hot before we started going. I didn’t need any of the extra layers and was very comfortable. The soundtrack on the way to Slieve League taught about the bay and the area. It’s a bit out, but when get there-majestic! People at the top are TINY. it was so impressive. Worth every penny and had an amazing experience. On our way back to the marina, the captain announced there had been a whale sighting so we were going to make a detour. We made our way to a different part of the bay and after a lot of looking, found about 10 or so dolphins frolicking like it was sea world. They were delightful. And amidst all of that, the whale!! I can’t even explain how impressive it was to see this incredible creature. A huge bonus!Written 8 September 2024
- Dan M0 contributionsGreat experience!Edel Lydon was our tour guide. She was AWESOME!! She made the tour fantastic. Great conversation, tips and guidance and tips.Written 6 September 2024
- 882cherip0 contributionsCollegeGradCelebration Trip!This event made my Ireland trip. It is a long bus ride out there (1 hour & 45 minutes), but it gave everyone a chance to just look at Ireland's beautiful country and shoreline scenery or snooze a little on the way up an on the return. I expected it to be windy so packing the wind resistant pants and jacket along with walking shoes helped keep me warm and able to tread the steps or little rocky path. Lucky for us, the sun started to come out between the clouds so it was just beautiful! Best Ireland souveniers too in my book!Written 4 September 2024
- tammytC5112BR0 contributionsGuide was a no show!This was the worst ! The guide never showed up , we could see the boat docked in the harbour ! No one around ! No one answered our calls or messages . We waited with no bench or washroom facilities for over an hour . Paid 50$ euros to get here by cab , arrived 1/2 hour early ! No one greeted us , we just waited ! Worst thing is , is now we have no way of seeing what we wanted to see due to our travel schedule !Written 2 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.5
19 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Rod W
Cambridge, UK22 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Just a glorious and exciting day out. We were very fortunate with the weather (Ireland Wild Escapes' Cathy had kindly messaged to postpone for two days as our first date's forecast was somewhat "iffy") and, on the way out, enjoyed a relaxed half-way, 2 hour stop to explore some of Cape Clear Island's features.
The icing on the cake, though, was a long enough stop, circling really close to Fastnet Rock Lighthouse whilst listening to a very detailed and interesting commentary.
The operator, Cape Clear Ferries, was totally professional and helpful, with polite, friendly staff and well-kept boats, especially the larger, faster one out to Fastnet.
The icing on the cake, though, was a long enough stop, circling really close to Fastnet Rock Lighthouse whilst listening to a very detailed and interesting commentary.
The operator, Cape Clear Ferries, was totally professional and helpful, with polite, friendly staff and well-kept boats, especially the larger, faster one out to Fastnet.
Written 16 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Rod for taking the time to write this great review! Delighted you got to experience this unique tour to Cape Clear Island and then onto Fastnet!
Written 30 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Coffebean
Dublin91 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Absolutely fantastic trip, I would highly recommend this
You can either do a stop on Cape Clear Island for 2 or 3 hours followed by a trip around fastnet or the direct to fastnet tour
We done the fastnet direct as we had already visited the beautiful Cape Clear Island. We left Baltimore at 2 o'Clock and stopped on Cape Clear to allow people who were visiting the island to get off and we switched to a bigger boat which was already at the pier so no waiting around.
If wildlife are around the boat will stop to let you have a look. We were lucky to see some dolphins, and the sea was really calm.
It doesnt really matter what side of the boat you sit as the boat does a circle of Fastnet clockwise and anti clockwise so no matter where you sit, you will have a perfect view.
The crew are very obliging and we were delighted that they offered to take our picture in front of the lighthouse, this is a lovely touch!
On the way back we stopped briefly on Cape Clear to allow people on but there was no changing boats this time.
We were back in Baltimore for 16.45
Even if its a lovely day, just remember to bring something warm to wear as it does get chilly on the sea.
Baltimore gets really crowded on a nice day so make sure to leave plenty of time for parking and getting to the ferry
If you book your tickets online, be sure to visit the little ticket office first as you actually need to paper ticket to board.
You can either do a stop on Cape Clear Island for 2 or 3 hours followed by a trip around fastnet or the direct to fastnet tour
We done the fastnet direct as we had already visited the beautiful Cape Clear Island. We left Baltimore at 2 o'Clock and stopped on Cape Clear to allow people who were visiting the island to get off and we switched to a bigger boat which was already at the pier so no waiting around.
If wildlife are around the boat will stop to let you have a look. We were lucky to see some dolphins, and the sea was really calm.
It doesnt really matter what side of the boat you sit as the boat does a circle of Fastnet clockwise and anti clockwise so no matter where you sit, you will have a perfect view.
The crew are very obliging and we were delighted that they offered to take our picture in front of the lighthouse, this is a lovely touch!
On the way back we stopped briefly on Cape Clear to allow people on but there was no changing boats this time.
We were back in Baltimore for 16.45
Even if its a lovely day, just remember to bring something warm to wear as it does get chilly on the sea.
Baltimore gets really crowded on a nice day so make sure to leave plenty of time for parking and getting to the ferry
If you book your tickets online, be sure to visit the little ticket office first as you actually need to paper ticket to board.
Written 16 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin J
33 contributions
A well maintained vessel took us out from Baltimore to the Fastnet rock, and the ship went around once each way so everyone got a good look. The commentary was clear and informative, telling the story of the lighthouse.
On the trip back via Cape Clear, the crew spotted a pod of dolphins l, and steered the ship around so we all got to see them too.
The stop at Cape Clear was lovely, the whole day's trip was great.
On the trip back via Cape Clear, the crew spotted a pod of dolphins l, and steered the ship around so we all got to see them too.
The stop at Cape Clear was lovely, the whole day's trip was great.
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aoife k
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Couples
We took this tour last week just myself and my partner, we were picked up from baltimore harbour and got a ferry across to cape clear, had a few pints in cotters, the local pub on the hill, absolutely loved it, the staff were so friendly and welcoming, we didn't want to leave! After a couple hours we were collected and brought to fastnet, it was stunning, the views from the ferry, the staff, mingling with everyone else on board was just lovely, then we were very lucky to see both a whale and a dolphin on the way back to baltimore! unforgettable experience, will recommend to everyone 😊
Written 27 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dillon
Ireland6 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
I travelled with my wife the tour having been suggested by Trish from Cork harbour cruises who gave us the contact numbers. The trip was fantastic the views amazing and boat great fun to be in on the open sea. We stopped over on Cape Clear for a few hours on the journey back and enjoyed the walks and had lunch. It was a perfect day and we would recommend it for any group adults and children.
Written 14 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard J
London, UK1,773 contributions
Jul 2023
Travelled with teenage grandsons to Cape Clear and The Fastnet Rock.lots of room on the boat and a picturesque trip to Cape Clear. Plenty of time to explore the Island. Several places to get refreshments. A pretty harbour. The onward trip around the Fastnet Rock was truly memorable. A heavy swell on the way out made for an exciting ride but don't let that put you off. The boat was safe with a friendly crew. It's a must do trip.
Written 30 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beatrice H
Bournemouth, UK12 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
The crew were professional, friendly and informative.
As for the rock itself, well, it has to be seen up close, it is stunning and a bit frightening too. The water around the base was turquoise, due to the power of the ocean breakiñg against the base of the rock.
As for the rock itself, well, it has to be seen up close, it is stunning and a bit frightening too. The water around the base was turquoise, due to the power of the ocean breakiñg against the base of the rock.
Written 18 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krabate
144 contributions
Jul 2022
The tour is orginise very well. Nice stop on Cape Clear Island, enough time to hike. The crew was lovely. There is a information on the boat about fastnet. The rock is fab and we were very nice suprise the amazing view. If someone suffer for see sickness dont forget the tablets!! i was there twice so far and i still dont have enought.
Written 13 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary K M
1 contribution
Sept 2024 • Family
Fantastic tour! We had enough time on Cape Clear to gave a driver show us the island. Seeing Fastnet Lighthouse was an awesome experience. Our boat circled it several times so we could really see and get fantastic pictures. The staff was friendly and very helpful.
Written 21 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks you for this 5* review! It is an amazing bucket list experience to see the lighthouse and explore this Irish speaking island en-route. Thank you for joining us.
Written 22 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cottagepier
Bantry, Ireland29 contributions
Fabulous day out, stopped on Cape first, did the 5k hike on Cape, had lunch, than caught ferry to Fastnet, paid €45 each for trip, great value.
Written 5 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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