Things to do in Baltimore, Ireland

Enjoy seascapes and the rugged Irish coastline as you cruise through the water spotting marine animals on this adventurous boat excursion. Catch sight of sunfish and even basking sharks with the help of a local skipper. Set off from the North Pier of Baltimore and head out to see offshore islands and marine wildlife. Walk around the deck for a panoramic experience. Sit to watch the wildlife in comfort and shield yourself from the wind when it's cooler. Learn about the wildlife from your expert guide.

Take the ferry from Baltimore or Schull and cross the beautiful waters of Roaring Water Bay. Arriving at the north harbor on Cape Clear Island, spend some free time exploring this Gaeltacht Island, learning about the island’s culture, and the island life, including old traditions and traditional farming. Discover the island’s ancient standing stones, Napoleonic Tower, Dún an Óir Castle, 12th-century church and visit the memorial on the Island to the 1979 Fastnet Yacht Race Disaster. Spend some time exploring the island and its walking trails, stop at the spectacular lookout points, and spot the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse in the distance. Be sure to enjoy some fresh island produce during lunch at one of the island’s bars and restaurants. After lunch, re-board the ferry and sit back as the experienced captain takes you further into the real Wild Atlantic Way. You might even catch a glimpse of whales and dolphins in the water. As you circumnavigate the tallest and widest rock lighthouse in Ireland and the UK, learn its history and importance from the onboard audio system. Hear about the “Teardrop” of Ireland, the last glimpse of the country that the immigrant ships saw before they headed over the horizon to the New World - America. Once Fastnet Rock has been circled twice (so that all passengers can get the perfect photo), head for home and enjoy the spectacular scenery until reaching the final port.

Embark on a cruise to the Fastnet Rock lighthouse from Baltimore Harbor. Pass by Sherkin island and circumnavigate the Fastnet Rock. Look for local marine life as you venture into the open ocean aboard the Wave Chieftain, a fully licensed vessel.  Meet at Baltimore pier for a short safety briefing prior to your departure. Venture out of the harbor and snap pictures of the white-painted Baltimore Beacon. Journey along the southwest coast passing Sherkin island and the remains of the Franciscan Friary of Sherkin Abbey.  Sail by Gascanane Sound and Cape Clear as you keep a lookout for whales, dolphins, seals, and aquatic birds. Go around Fastnet Lighthouse and get pictures from every angle. Return to your starting point at Baltimore pier. 

Famous Fastnet Rock Lighthouse also known as Ireland’s Teardrop, was the last structure seen by Irish emigrants aboard ships travelling to the United States – including the famous ill-fated RMS Titanic. Departing from Baltimore harbour, the ferry crosses through the beautiful waters of Roaring Water Bay, meandering through Carbery’s Hundred Isles, some of which are inhabited. We stop enroute to pick up passengers on Cape Clear Island and on the return, before proceeding further out into Ireland’s real Wild Atlantic Way, to round this impressive lighthouse. You might even catch a glimpse of pods of whales, dolphins and other marine life on this boat trip too. As we slowly circumnavigate the tallest and widest Rock Lighthouse in Ireland and the UK, famous for being the “Teardrop” of Ireland, take in its deep history and culture as it plays through the on board audio system. Once we have circled the Rock at close quarters, so all passengers can get the perfect photo, we head for home enjoying the spectacular scenery until we reach our final port of Baltimore.