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Fastnet Rock Lighthouse & Cape Clear Island Tour
4.5
28 Ratings
Baltimore Ferry
Explore Cape Clear Island’s rich culture, ancient sites, and stunning views. Ferry to Fastnet Rock Lighthouse, spot whales, and capture perfect photos on this unforgettable tour.
Explore Cape Clear Island’s rich culture, ancient sites, and stunning views. Ferry to Fastnet Rock Lighthouse, spot whales, and capture perfect photos on this unforgettable tour.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Baltimore - Embark on this tour from Baltimore Harbour, featuring a ferry ride across the stunning waters of Roaring Water Bay.
- Baltimore Beacon - The Baltimore Beacon is a white-painted stone structure located at the entrance to the harbour in Baltimore, County Cork, Ireland. Constructed by order of the British government after the 1798…
- Baltimore - Embark on this tour from Baltimore Harbour, featuring a ferry ride across the stunning waters of Roaring Water Bay.
- Baltimore Beacon - The Baltimore Beacon is a white-painted stone structure located at the entrance to the harbour in Baltimore, County Cork, Ireland. Constructed by order of the British government after the 1798 Rebellion, it was part of a network of lighthouses and beacons along the Irish coast, serving as a warning system. Locals affectionately refer to it as Lot’s Wife, with a nod to the biblical figure who turned into a pillar of salt!
- Cape Clear Island - Cape Clear Island lies off the coast of West Cork along the Wild Atlantic Way. The island is accessible by an 8-mile ferry ride from the mainland and is the closest inhabited area to the renowned Fastnet Rock Lighthouse. It spans three and a half miles in length and one and a half miles in width, with a permanent Irish-speaking population of 130 that grows significantly during the summer.
- Fastnet Rock - After enjoying lunch on Cape Clear Island, board the ferry again to visit Fastnet Lighthouse. The ferry circles the Rock twice in different directions, allowing all passengers to capture the perfect photo, before heading back home, taking in the breathtaking scenery until reaching the final port.
- Wild Atlantic Way - On the ferry, the captain will guide you through the true Wild Atlantic Way! You might even spot the magnificent whales and dolphins on the journey to the island and lighthouse.
What's Included
- On-board restrooms
- On-board restrooms
What's Not Included
- Snacks
- Snacks
Additional Information
After your ferry crossing past Carbery’s 100 Isles, arrive at Cape Clear Island and take some time to explore this Gaeltacht Island. Learn about the island’s culture, the life of the islanders, including their old traditions and traditional farming methods. Discover the island’s ancient standing stones, the Napoleonic Tower, Dún an Óir Castle, a…
After your ferry crossing past Carbery’s 100 Isles, arrive at Cape Clear Island and take some time to explore this Gaeltacht Island. Learn about the island’s culture, the life of the islanders, including their old traditions and traditional farming methods. Discover the island’s ancient standing stones, the Napoleonic Tower, Dún an Óir Castle, a 12th-century church, and visit the memorial dedicated to the 1979 Fastnet Yacht Race Disaster. On one of the walking trails, see the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse in the distance or enjoy lunch at one of the island’s bars and restaurants.
After lunch, re-board the ferry to travel closer to the lighthouse. Catch a glimpse of the magnificent whales and dolphins along the way! We will circumnavigate ‘An Carraig Aonair` or the ‘Lonely Rock,’ taking in its history and culture. Once we have circled the Rock twice to get the perfect photo, we will head for home, enjoying the spectacular scenery until we reach our final port.
Location
Baltimore Ferry
Depart from harbour, please arrive 20 minutes before departure time.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(28 Ratings)
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89trisht
Sep 3, 2025
25th wedding anniversary - One of the best tours we have done. We got great pictures of an engineering wonder. It was awesome inspiring to look at the raised beauty. The crew was great and took our picture with fastnet in the background
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hega51
Jul 12, 2025
An awesome up close view of the Fastnet Lighthouse. - Went out to the fastnet lighthouse on Cape Clear ferry from Schull to view up a close up of the Fastnet Lighthouse. The captain Brendan was talking about the islands and sea life on the way to the lighthouse. On arrival at the Fastnet Brendan gave a detailed lesson and how this magnificent lighthouse was built, and other facts There was plenty of time to take photos before heading back. On our way back we saw a pod of dolphins jumping around very near the ferry. This trip is a must see for anyone interested in lighthouses,and the sea.
My thanks to Brendan and crew of Baltimore Ferries.
Many thanks.
Paul Hegarty.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pamelabw8883fk
Jul 11, 2025
Sunshine, the rock and the whales - A group of us spanning 3 generations of family went on the Direct Fastnet tour from Baltimore. It was the most amazing, perfect experience. The crew are a joy, down to earth and very helpful. Large, new boat with a bar serving snacks and drinks. Loved the history lesson about the lighthouse while getting to see it up close. On the way back we saw Fin whales and dolphins. The boat crew diverted our return so we could watch the most stunning display of these creatures. Just the most perfect day from start to finish. Highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
458marykm
Oct 21, 2024
Cape Clear and Fastnet Lighthouse - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Discover00577831790
Oct 14, 2024
Exciting boat tour with island stop off - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rodw731
Sep 16, 2024
Unique - Trip of a Lifetime - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cottagepier
Sep 5, 2024
Fabulous day out - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Coffebean
Jul 16, 2024
Highly recommended - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roam66182157082
Jul 16, 2024
Xxxx - Highly recommend,,great family day out,,Good value for money .Staff are excellent & extremely helpful.Highlight is the trip over to the Fastnet lighthouse .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John_h
May 11, 2025
Lovely Experience, but ticket registration foul up - Excellent experience but incorrect tickets were issued which compromised the event. Crew and island opportunities were magnificent, but tickets given for a shorter trip-lighthouse viewing paid for but tickets did not include.
Review provided by Viator
