Plan Your Trip

Ballycotton
Island
Lighthouse
Tours

Ballycotton Island Lighthouse

Plan Your Trip

Transport

The easiest way to get to Ballycotton is by car. The village is situated 39.3 kilometres from Cork city centre and the duration of the journey is 34 minutes (depending on traffic.)

Approximate fuel cost :€6 – €8.
Price estimate does not include rental car fees and tolls

Plan Your Trip

Transport

To get to Ballycotton from Cork city, head northeast on St.Patrick’s street (N22), and continue onto Bridge street (N8) – keep following the N8. At Dunkettle roundabout, take the second exit and stay on the N8. When you reach Lakeview Roundabout, take the third exit onto R630, towards Cloyne. Turn left onto Grotto View (R629), through Ballinacurra. Turn left onto Lower Road (R629) and continue to follow the road. Take a slight left onto L3630 and continue straight onto R629 toward Ballymaloe House. Turn right to stay on R629, known locally as ‘the bog road’, and follow this road past the crossroad for Ballynamona and past the Ballycotton Medical Centre. Continue on this road and you will see the turn on the left for Ballycotton.

Key Information

Opening Hours

Tours are available by booking, with the first departure at 10:00 a.m. and the final departure typically at 4:00 p.m., subject to demand and availability. Please note that tours do not operate during the off-season, which runs from October through April.

Prices

€ 30 / person 12years+
€15  /child 3-12years
€84 /family ticket 2+2 (2 adults + 2 kids)
children under 3 are not allowed

For private tours or larger groups, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly for more information and availability. Email: info@ballycottonseaadventures.com

The tour lasts

The tour lasts  approximately about 90 minutes (15min on the boat, 60min on the island/ lighthouse, 15min on the on the boat on return way.

Guides

All tours are led by experienced local guides

Cancellation
Please be aware that sea and weather conditions can change quickly, and wind plays a major role in tour safety. Even on a clear or sunny day, tours may not operate if wind conditions are unsafe, particularly in the case of strong or easterly winds, which can make docking on the island impossible. For safety reasons, Ballycotton Lighthouse Tours may be cancelled at short notice. If your tour is affected, you will be notified by email and given the option of :

  • A voucher to reschedule your tour for another day
  • A full refund of your booking
We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we priorities the safety of all our visitors

Testimonials

Elpa_Cork Oct 2021

An Outstanding Day on Ballycotton Island Lighthouse Tour
"An outstanding day out in exceptional weather for this time of year (October). The tour is well run with an excellent guide and boat captain. Safety is of primary concern so we were all issued with proper lifejackets before departure. The history and social living conditions of the lighthouse keepers on the island are very well explained. Ballycotton holds a treasured place in Ireland's marine history and our guide was able to point out the Smiths Reef where the SS. Sirius ran aground and was lost in 1847. This caused the lighthouse to be built on Ballycotton Island rather than Capel Island off Youghal which is further East. Overall an outstanding tour. Well done to our guide, Heather and our captain Paddy. Go Raibh Mile Maith Agaibh. Liam and family"

James S Aug 2021

One of the best things to do around Cork. Great family experience
"Had a great tour on a fantastic sunny August day with amazing views from the island. Hazel was a brilliant tour guide and paid extra attention to my inquisitive 5 year old and equally curious 3 year old.

It’s a perfect way to spend an afternoon in Cork. The boat trip is nice and smooth - not too long! The island and lighthouse tour is really interesting."

Paula Galvin Aug 2021

Eddie the expert guide.
"Eddie our expert guide was a delight on this tour. A wealth of knowledge combined with a fine sense of humour made this a wonderful tour, thoroughly enjoyed by ourselves and the other five occupants of our boat.
Eddie had been a lighthouse keeper, not only in Ballycotton but in lighthouses the length and breadth of the country so he was able to tell us some great stories about his time.
It is such a shame to see this lighthouse and the two cottages being left to become ruins but we did manage to climb the two staircases of the lighthouse and imagine what it would have been like in its glory days, all gleaming brass and ship shape.
Thank you Eddie for sharing your passion of lighthouses with us!"

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