Is the Old Head Trip suitable for children?

Yes, children are welcome as long as they are supervised and comfortable on a boat.

Are fishing rods provided on the trip?

Basic fishing equipment is available for participants to use during the tour.

What wildlife can I expect to see?

Common sightings include seals, gannets, and various seabirds around the cliffs and sea caves.

Can I bring my own food for the picnic?

Kinsale Ocean Adventures provides a picnic, but feel free to bring additional snacks if needed.

Is the trip accessible for people with mobility issues?

The boat tour requires boarding and some movement on deck; please contact the operator to discuss specific accessibility needs.

What happens in bad weather?

Tours may be modified or rescheduled for safety in the event of severe weather conditions.

Kinsale Ocean Adventures: Old Head Boat Tour in Co. Cork

Located on Ireland’s rugged southern coast, Kinsale is a vibrant harbor town in County Cork known for its maritime heritage and striking coastal scenery. Kinsale Ocean Adventures offers a standout journey for those keen to experience the wild Atlantic coast by water. Their Old Head Trip is a 2.5-hour boat tour that ventures around Kinsale Harbour, delivering a mix of geological wonder, natural beauty, and hands-on adventure.

This trip centers on the iconic Old Head Lighthouse, perched dramatically on a towering limestone headland that juts into the Atlantic. The lighthouse itself is a vital navigational aid established in the 1800s, standing watch over these craggy cliffs and foaming surf. The exposed rock formations here showcase layers of sedimentary rock shaped by relentless coastal forces, creating a striking contrast with the deep blue sea.

One of the trip’s highlights is the passage through the sea caves of Hole Open Bay—natural volcanic and sedimentary caverns carved by wave action over millennia. These caves give passengers a glimpse into coastal geology few other tours reach, their dark, echoing chambers a haven for local seabirds. Wildlife spotting is frequent, with seals often visible sunning themselves on nearby rocks and colonies of gannets diving for fish in the surf.

Adding a personal touch, the trip invites participants to try their hand at fishing from the boat, casting lines into rich Atlantic waters where mackerel and pollock schools are common. The journey includes a picnic along the coast, making it a full sensory immersion into Kinsale’s marine environment.

Kinsale Ocean Adventures stands out in this region by combining natural history, wildlife encounters, and active participation in a single, accessible outing. This trip is a fitting reminder of how coastal Ireland lives and breathes—from lighthouse gleams to wave-carved caves. It offers visitors an unfiltered connection to the Atlantic’s power and mystery that’s difficult to match elsewhere in Ireland.