Perched just offshore in the sheltered waters of Bantry Bay, Whiddy Island is one of West Cork’s most overlooked adventures. Just 5.6km long and 2.4km wide, this tiny patch of land is big on nature, history, and character—and it’s only a 10-minute ferry ride from Bantry Town.
Once a military stronghold, later home to Ireland’s worst maritime disaster, and now a quiet haven for walkers, cyclists, seafood lovers and anyone craving a digital detox, Whiddy’s charm lies in its contrasts.
You’ll find centuries-old batteries hidden in the undergrowth, seabirds skimming across the bay, and one of the best seafood platters in the county waiting at the island’s only pub!
Visiting Whiddy Island
Just a short ferry ride from Bantry Town, the island makes for a perfect day trip with the family or group of friends.
1. Location
You’ll find the picturesque Whiddy Island near the head of Bantry Bay off the coast of Bantry Town in West Cork.
2. Getting there
You need to take a 10-to-15-minute ferry ride from Bantry Town to reach the island. There is one operator licensed by the Department of the Marine.
3. A great place to escape to
There’s plenty of things to do on Whiddy Island and there’s lots of history to uncover, which make it a great spot to escape the hustle and bustle and to soak up a bit of island life for a day.
The history of Whiddy Island
It’s hard to do justice to Whiddy Island’s history in just a few lines, but here’s a snapshot to show you just how much this little island has seen.
Military importance
Thanks to its prime position in Bantry Bay, Whiddy was heavily fortified by the British during the Napoleonic Wars, with defensive batteries built to repel a potential French invasion.
Its strategic importance carried through to World War I, when the U.S. Navy established a seaplane base here, though it shut down in 1919, shortly after the war ended.
The Whiddy Island Disaster
In the late 1960s, Gulf Oil built a vast terminal on the island to handle supertankers arriving from the Middle East. But tragedy struck on January 8th, 1979, when a French tanker exploded while unloading crude oil.
Fifty lives were lost, making it one of the worst maritime disasters in Irish history. The terminal was never fully restored, though today it stores part of Ireland’s national oil reserves.
Back in the 1880s, Whiddy was home to around 450 people. Now, just 20 or so live here full-time.
The Whiddy Island Ferry
Photo via Whiddy Island Ferry on Facebook
To get to the island, you’ll need to climb aboard the Whiddy Island Ferry (there’s only the one!).
Known as Ocean Star 3, the Whiddy Island ferry is licensed by the Department of the Marine and takes passengers to and from the island.
How long it takes
The trip from Bantry pier to Whiddy Island takes around 10-15 minutes with regular departures throughout the day.
When it runs
From June to August, the Whiddy Island ferry departs 5 times a day each way. From September to May, services reduce a little with five departures per day on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, four departures on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and three departures on Sunday (note: times may change).
How much it costs and where to get it
The Whiddy Island ferry is pretty good value at €8 return (prices may change). It leaves from Bantry Pier. Get up-to-date info on their Facebook page.
Things to do on Whiddy Island
There are plenty of things to do on Whiddy Island that make it the perfect place for a day trip (especially if you want an active day out!).
From the Whiddy Island Loop to great food, cycling and more, there’s things to do on Whiddy Island to tickle most fancies.
1. Do the Whiddy Island Loop
One of the best ways to explore the island is on foot. The Whiddy Island Loop is a relatively easy 5km loop that’s up their with our favourite walks in Cork.
It begins from the ferry terminal on the island and is a circuit with a couple of optional side trips. With the side trips included, the walk is around 7.7km in total.
The main trail is well sign-posted and crosses the countryside with beautiful views over Bantry Bay. It should take around two hours for moderately fit people.
The optional side trips include a viewing point over Lousy Castle to the southern side of the island and to the historical Middle Battery to the north.
Related read: Check out our guide to 30 of the best places to visit in West Cork (a mix of tourist favourites and hidden gems)
2. Or hire a bike and cycle
Photo by FS Stock (Shutterstock)
Another way to explore the island is on two wheels. If you enjoy a cycle, you can hire bikes from the Bank House Bar on the island which is directly opposite the pontoon.
You can easily cycle along the paths on the island, stopping at some of the remains of the island’s military history.
Cycling is a great way to cover most of the island in a short time. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a day with nice weather, you can enjoy beautiful views across the bay and towards Bantry Town.
3. Plan your visit around the West Cork Literary Festival
Photo via West Cork Literary Festival on Facebook (note: this is Garnish Island)
The West Cork Literary Festival is an annual festival in Bantry Town held in July. They have a range of events on at various venues in Bantry, with Whiddy Island being one of them.
There is a talk about the island and guided tour to the battery by Tim O’Leary, a Whiddy native and local postman, publican and farmer.
The festival’s program is published each year before the event with tickets available online. There’s plenty of things to do in Bantry, too, if you visit when the festival isn’t running.
4. Discover Whiddy Island’s military history
Photo licensed from Ondrej Prochazka
Whiddy Island has an interesting military history thanks to its strategic location in Bantry Bay. To the northern tip of the island, you can visit the remaining batteries built by the British and the old US naval air station from World War One.
Of the three batteries, the Middle Battery is the largest and an interesting place to wander around.
You can reach it by a small bridge across a deep moat. It’s somewhat crumbling and overgrown, but that only adds to the intrigue of the place.
5. Chow down on a seafood platter from the Bank House
The Bank House is the only pub on the island and a must visit during your trip. Showcasing traditional Irish hospitality, the restaurant and bar is known for a friendly atmosphere and great food.
They have both an indoor dining area and outside tables for warmer days. The highlight on the menu is their fresh seafood, so make sure you pick the seafood platter for a memorable meal.
What to do near Whiddy Island
Some of the best things to do in Cork can be found a short spin from Whiddy, such as:
- Glengarriff Nature Reserve: 300 hectares of ancient oak and birch woodland just outside Glengarriff village
- The Beara Peninsula: A wild and scenic stretch of coast with dramatic mountains and the Ring of Beara route linking Kenmare to Glengarriff
- Healy Pass: A winding mountain road between Lauragh and Adrigole offering one of the best panoramic views on the peninsula.
- Bere Island: A historic island with military ruins and coastal trails, reached by ferry from Castletownbere
- Bantry House and Gardens: A grand estate with formal gardens and bay views, located directly opposite the Whiddy Island ferry
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.
Sue Jones
Saturday 16th of September 2023
Thanks, Whiddy Island was the home of my ancestors. My grandmother was living there with her grandparents before she ran away to Wales sometime around 1919. I am researching the family tree and would love to visit there. You've whet my appetite with your guide.
Judith Graepel
Monday 12th of July 2021
Clear, concise, informative, thank you so much