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Dursey Boat Trips: Explore the Wild Beauty of the Beara Peninsula

Discover the wild beauty of Dursey Island and the Beara Peninsula on an unforgettable boat trip. Explore history, wildlife, and stunning coastal scenery.

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Embark on an unforgettable sea safari with Dursey Boat Trips, departing from Garinish Pier in County Cork. Discover the rugged coastline, abundant wildlife, and fascinating history of Dursey Island and the surrounding Bull Rock, Cow Rock, and Calf Rock. These 90-minute tours, led by local guides, offer a unique perspective on this remote corner of Ireland, with opportunities to spot whales, dolphins, seals, and a dazzling array of seabirds.

A brief summary to Dursey Boat Trips

Local tips

  • Book your boat trip in advance, especially during peak season (April-September), to ensure availability.
  • Bring binoculars to enhance your wildlife viewing experience.
  • Wear warm and waterproof clothing, as the weather can be unpredictable at sea.
  • Don't forget your camera to capture the stunning scenery and wildlife encounters.
  • Check the Dursey Boat Trips website for the latest tour schedules and special offers.
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Getting There

  • Car

    If traveling by car, head towards Castletownbere. From there, take the R571 to Eyeries, then the R572 towards Garinish. Follow the R572 to The Pier, where Dursey Boat Trips is located. Parking is available near the pier.

  • Public Transport

    Take a Bus Éireann bus from Kenmare to Castletownbere. From Castletownbere, a local taxi to Garinish Pier will cost approximately €15-€20 and take about 15 minutes. Confirm the fare before starting your journey.

  • Walking

    From the center of Garinish, walk towards the coast, following signs for the pier. The walk is a short distance and should take about 10-15 minutes. Enjoy the scenery along the way.

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Discover more about Dursey Boat Trips

Dursey Boat Trips provides exhilarating boat tours around Dursey Island and the neighboring islands off the western point of Dursey: Calf Rock, Cow Rock and Bull Rock. These tours offer a unique opportunity to experience the dramatic beauty and rich history of the Beara Peninsula from the sea. Departing from Garnish Pier, the experienced local guides share captivating stories of the area's past, including Dursey Island's use as a Viking slave base, the misfortunes of its Gaelic chieftains, and the tragic massacre of islanders in 1602. As you cruise along the rugged coastline, keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife that calls this area home, including whales, dolphins, basking sharks, seals, and a variety of seabirds such as gannets and puffins. The Bull Rock Trip takes you past Dursey Island, where you can see Ireland's only cable car, and then out to the three islands, Calf Rock, Cow Rock and Bull Rock, to view the lighthouses and pass through natural arches cut into the islands. You'll hear stories of the courageous lighthouse keepers who once manned Bull Rock, and see the remains of the lighthouse on Calf Rock, destroyed in a storm in 1881. The Castletownbere Harbour Trip features wildlife, history, lighthouses and shipwrecks as they speed along the length of Bere Island. Dursey Island itself is a place of stark beauty and historical significance. Connected to the mainland by a cable car, the island offers stunning seaside walks, the ruins of a 200-year-old signal tower, and a glimpse into a remote way of life.

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