recent sightings of whales and dolphins, © Pádraig Whooley, IWDG

book your west cork whale watching trip, © Pádraig Whooley, IWDG

amazing gallery of photgraphs, © Mike Brown Photography

Testimonials & Media

I stopped counting when I got to 37 dolphins. The jumping, diving, jostling pod had surrounded our catamaran like a gang of silver grey muggers, but my attention had been sidetracked by two bulky, menacing shapes to the left of the group......

Ian Belcher, The Guardian

A giant head broke the surface and a plume of spray erupted seven metres into the air. The head was followed by the graceful arch of an enormous back and, several seconds later, by a small curved dorsal fin...

Calvin Jones. The Countryman

Whale Watching Trips in West Cork

For more information about whale watching with Colin Barnes please call either:
(00-353)028-36789 or (00-353) 086-327-3226

As the busy summer holiday season approaches, Colin would strongly advise advance booking to ensure your date of choice.

Bookings for five or more require deposits (by posted cheque or telephoned credit card details). The postal address is:
WHALE WATCH WITH COLIN BARNES,
Castletownshend,
Skibbereen,
Co. Cork,
Ireland.
The deposit cheque will be held until day of trip. If weather conditions are unsuitable for a WHALE WATCH, the cheque will be destroyed.

Colin accepts payment at the end of the voyage. There are no on-board facilities for credit card swipes. Payment by cash or cheque please.

Summer Timetable

10.00am to 2.00 pm
3.00pm to 7.00 pm

Winter Timetable

10.30am to 2.30 pm

DEPARTURE

WHALE WATCH trips leave from Reen Pier on the eastern side of Castlehaven harbour, signposted at every crossroad from Union Hall village, via a turning off the N71 at Leap between Clonakilty and Skibbereen.

There is ample free parking close by the pier.

Reen Pier is not suitable for wheelchair access to the ‘Holly Jo’. However, Castletownshend slip (on the west side of the harbour) offers suitable access at certain tide times. which Colin will be able to advise on, depending on day of trip.

ESTIMATED TRAVEL TIMES BY ROAD
Bantry      1 hour
Clonakilty 40 minutes
Cork         1 3/4 hours
Killarney   2 1/2 hours
Kinsale      1 1/2 hours

VERY IMPORTANT: PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU REACH REEN PIER WITH AT LEAST TEN MINUTES TO SPARE BEFORE DEPARTURE TIME.

Public transport is available from Bus Eireann (telephone: 0124 www.) Additional courtesy transport from the bus stop in Leap can be arranged in advance with WHALE WATCH.

Taxi transport is also available with charges ranging from 20 euro from Skibbereen.

Local Accommodation

Seascapes Bed and Breakfast, Union Hall - Tel: 028 33920 , contact Julie

Casey's, Union Hall - Tel 028 33590, contact Martha Casey

Atlantic House, Castletownsend - Tel 028 36440, contact Kathleen

Acknowledgements