Whale Watching Trips in West Cork

WHALE WATCH TRIPS are of four hours’ duration. 

BOOKINGS

Bookings can be made by telephoning (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.

BOOKING CANCELLATIONS

Sometimes, for whatever mishap, passengers may have to cancel their trip.  Please ensure that you contact Colin at the earliest possible moment if you find you cannot keep your booking.  During the summer months, WHALE WATCH does have folk awaiting spaces freed up by cancellations. 

Deposits will be refunded if a cancellation is received forty eight hours before scheduled trip time.

WHALE WATCH PRICES

Adults:                                           euro 50
Students and Pensioners:                 euro 40
Children (up to 16 years):                euro 30

Groups and larger families:            prices are negotiable

MARINE WILDLIFE TRIPS (2 Hour Trips)

Adults:                                           euro 25
Students and Pensioners:                 euro 20
Children (up to 16 years):                euro 15

Groups and larger families:            prices are negotiable

Invoice supplied on request, particularly for educational trips, film and research projects.

TRIP CANCELLATIONS

Colin will have a good forecast of weather conditions prior to a trip.   However, if Colin considers the weather and sea conditions unsuitable or unsafe for a WHALE WATCH, he reserves the right to cancel the trip.  It is essential that the contact details you give with your booking are correct at the time of sailing so that WHALE WATCH may forewarn you of any changes.   

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 euro  from Skibbereen to euro from Cork.

WHAT TO BRING ON YOUR WHALE WATCH TRIP

Even on the finest day, as the ‘Holly Jo’ picks up speed, the breeze can be surprisingly chilling.  Please ensure you bring a windproof/waterproof jacket for protection.