Bere Island sits on the entrance to Bantry Bay and is only accessible by ferry. It is 2kms offshore and Bere Island Ferries is an operator of a ferry service to and from the island. The departure point on the mainland is the pier opposite Super Valu in Castetownbere and it lands on Oilean na gCaorach at the west end of Bere Island. Bere Island Ferries are certified by the Department of the Marine.
Bere Island Ferries offers you an opportunity to explore the unspoilt beauty of Bere Island or to explore some of the island's walkways. The island's walkways are incorporated in the larger Beara Way trail, which extends over the whole of the Beara peninsula, with over 220 kilometres of trails. However, Bere Island hosts some of the Beara Way’s highlights, with sites of rich military heritage from various eras, as well as spectacular breath taking scenery of the mainland’s Slieve Miskish and Caha Mountains, unique to Bere Island's offshore position.
The ferries operate all year round and pre booking is not necessary. Each ferry has a capacity of 4 cars and 75 passengers and tickets are available to purchase onboard.
Explore Bere Island's rich archaeological sites dating from the Bronze Age through to Medieval times.