Sea Safari
A fun way to experience Bantry Bay
Our Sea Safari is an exciting boat tour aboard our RIBs which let us explore approx 21 nautical miles of beautiful coastal scenery of Bantry Bay and includes a trip around historic Whiddy Island.
Join us for a fun-filled boat trip as you discover the rich biodiversity and history of Bantry Bay as we navigate around the bay visting Sea Caves and Sea Stacks. You will enjoy watching out for wildlife including dolphins, porpoises, grey and common seals, and an array of birdlife such as herons, cormorants, egrets, gulls and terns.
The Sea Safari is a 2hrs boat trip in Bantry Bay and we can't wait to take you for a spin! (Please note the min. age for this boat trip is 10yrs)
What to Expect on Your Sea Safari
After your safety briefing, we will depart from The Railway Pier in Bantry and head out in the direction of our lobster pots and crab baskets in the bay. We will check for anything caught overnight to give you a close up of life from the seabed.
As we continue out into deeper waters, we will visit sea caves and scan the water for dolphins, porpoises, seals and the many bird species that frequent the bay. Depending on the season, there have been recent sightings of both Humpbacks and Minke whales in the bay. Make sure you have your camera ready!
When we circle around Whiddy Island, you will look out towards Bere Island, the mouth of Bantry Bay and the Wild Atlantic beyond. You will be impressed by the surrounding scenery of the Caha and Shehy Mountains in our midst and the ever-changing colours of the mountains against the skyline.
As we head for home, you will see the Gulf Oil storage tanks on Whiddy Island which are an impressive sight in their vastness. Further along the bay, we will approach the Whiddy Island Jetty on the north side of the island.
You will learn about the Whiddy Island disaster of 1979 which is an important part of the history of Bantry Bay. The ruins of this jetty are all that remain of that fateful night when the oil tanker Betelgeuse caught fire as it was discharging it’s oil cargo at the jetty. Today the jetty has become a natural breeding ground for Cormorants.
The Sea Safari is such a fun and exciting way to see Bantry Bay, look for wildlife, birdlife and enjoy some local history. We can't wait to share it with you!
Additional Trip Information
Our Sea Safari trip is on our 7.5m Rambler Excalibur RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) which is designed to take 9 guests on safari.
It is licensed by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and has an additional safety lifeboat on board. You will be issued with a lifejacket, which is Wheelmarked, and given a full safety briefing before we embark on our adventure. These are all requirements of the Marine Survey Office for your safety.
The duration of the safari is approx 2hrs and the minimum age for this boat trip is 10yrs.
Bantry Bay is home to common bottlenose dolphin and porpoise who live in pods around the bay. You will also have the opportunity to spot grey and common seals swimming in the bay or basking in the sunshine lounging around on the rocks. Of course wildlife sightings can not be guaranteed and bird sightings are dependent on migrations and season.
For additional information on what to bring, what to wear etc. see our FAQs
BOOK YOUR ACTIVITY
Sea Safari
Explore wider Bantry Bay and out around Whiddy Island. Watch out for widlife, maybe spot dolphins and learn about local history. Min. age 10yrs.
From:
€50 per person
Guided Boat Tours
Great fun exploring the inner harbour in our self-drive boats with some boat tours including local seafood. Take turns at being captain for the day!
From:
€65 per boat
Kayak at Sunset Tour
A magical experience and a must-do when in West Cork. We will hopefully see wildlife and possibly see the wonder of bioluminescence on our trips.
From:
€45 per person
Kayak Hire
Single or Double Kayaks available for hire by the hour. If you would like to hire for longer, simply select the additional hours needed at booking.
From:
€15 per person
Guided Kayak Tours
Join one of our Kayak Tours with one of our experienced guides. Day and Sunset Kayak Tours are available or arrange a Private Guided Kayak Tour.
From:
€40 per person
Kayak to Whiddy Island
Hire a kayak for time in Bantry Bay and end your trip on Whiddy Island where we will collect your kayak and you can get the ferry back to Bantry.
From:
€25 per person
