To visit any of the West Cork islands, check out the listings below for ferry operators and cable car transport

The West Cork islands are situated off the southwest coast of Ireland and although this is a remote part of Ireland, West Cork is excellently served by international and regional transport including airports, buses, and car rentals.

When you’re finding out how to get to the West Cork islands, check ferry timetables carefully and note differences between summer and winter programmes.

Ferry Times to Bere Island

Ferries sail year-round from Castletownbere. Sailings take 10 minutes. Summer and winter timetables differ, so do check carefully to make sure that you have the right Bere Island ferry times for your visit.

• Bere Island Ferries (+353 (0)27 75009; +353 (0)86 2423140; http://www.bereislandferries.com depart from Castletownbere, 2km away on the Beara peninsula.
• Murphy’s Ferry Service (+353 (0)27 75988; +353 (0)87 238 6095 http://www.murphysferry.com departs from Pontoon, 3 miles on the Glengariff side of Castletownbere.

Ferry Times to Cape Clear

Ferries sail daily from Baltimore, year-round and from Schull through June-August. Sailings take about 40 minutes. Schull will be serviced by our new fast ferry this year journey time 25 mins. 

• Cape Clear Ferries – +353 (0)28 39159 or +353 (0)86 3465110 Email:info@capeclearferries.com

Cable Car Times to Dursey Island

Ireland’s only cable car departs daily, year-round, from Ballaghboy – at the tip of the Beara peninsula, Co. Cork. The trip takes ten minutes. Please note that trips are limited each day (speak to local accommodation providers for accurate information about the best times to travel).

10th June – 30th September

09:30 – 19:30 (9.30am – 7.30pm) Closed for lunch from 13:00 – 13:30 (1pm – 1.30pm)

IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO PRE-BOOK PLACES ON THE CABLE CAR

The cable car runs continuously back and forth during the scheduled hours. It does not run just once. The last journey to or from the island before lunch is at 12.45 until service resumes at 13.30 (1.30pm). 

10th June – 30th September: 09:30 – 19:30 (9.30am – 7.30pm) Closed for lunch from 13:00 – 13:30 (1pm – 1.30pm)

Cable Car Fares

Adult:                  €10.00 return

Child under 16     €5.00 return

Child under 3       Free of charge

PAYMENT BY CASH ONLY – NO PRE-BOOKING.

The contact number for the cable car station is 027 73851.

Please check durseyisland.ie for details of any changes to this timetable.

Ferry Times to Garnish Island

Garnish Island is open from March to October, and there is an island admission charge separate to that charged by ferry boats. Ferries depart Glengariff daily from March to October. Sailings take 15 minutes.

• Glengarriff and Garnish Boat Services +353 (0)27 63116 http://www.harbourqueenferry.com
• Blue Pool Ferry +353 (0)27 63333 http://www.bluepoolferry.ie

Ferry Times to Heir Island

Heir Island is a five minute ferry ride from Cunnamore Pier, on the Skibbereen to Ballydehob Road. Sailings are daily, year-round services.

• MV Thresher +353 (0)86 092447 http://www.heirislandferry.com
• MV Boy Colm +353 (0)86 888 7799 heirislandferries.com
• MV NORVIC +353 (0)86 1519295 heirislandferries.com 

Ferry Times to Long Island

A ferry sails from Colla Pier daily, year-round. Sailings take about five minutes.

• Contact Long Island Ferry operator, Maurice Coughlan, at +353 (0)86 172 1254 longislandferry.ie

Ferry Times to Sherkin Island

Ferries sail daily from Baltimore to Sherkin island, year-round. Sailings take 10 minutes.

• Sherkin Ferry +353 (0)28 20218 or +353 (0)87 244 7828 sherkinisland.eu/ferry

Ferry Times to Whiddy Island

Ferries sail from Bantry, daily, year-round. Sailings take 10-15 minutes. Departures from Bantry’s Railway Pier.

• Whiddy Island Ferry +353 (0)86 862 6734