The Kinsale Dingle Cruise

Day 2: Kinsale-Glandore 32 miles
Sail out of Kinsale, a natural harbour that has sheltered ships down through the ages. Passing Charles Fort and James Fort, the Old Head of Kinsale .. turn south west past Seven Heads and Galley Head for the harbour of Glandore. Two rocks, Adam and Eve obstruct the entrance, but the saying goes.... Avoid Adam and Hug Eve.... by day, it is a straightforward entry. Stay in this pretty village for the night.

Day 3: Glandore - Baltimore 20 miles
Barlogue is a lovely stopping place at the mouth of Lough Hyne, ideal as an anchorage for lunch on board. Lay anchor and take your tender ashore to explore the rapids and Lough Hyne by foot. The scenery and flora are exceptional. Experience the delights of Baltimore and Sherkin Island.

Day 4: Baltimore - Schull via Fastnet Rock 25 miles
Leave Baltimore, sailing south of Cape Clear Island, around the Fastnet Rock. Head North into Long Island Bay past Carbery's 100 islands towards Schull.

Day 5: Schull - Glengarriff 35 miles
Sail from Schull past Long Island, the largest of Carbery's Hundred Islands, towards Mizen Head, the southernmost headland. You will see the magnificent white lighthouse connected to the mainland by a spectacular bridge. Then pass Sheep's Head and sail into Bantry Bay, before anchorage in Glengarriff. Here, a visit to the tropical gardens of Garnish Island is an absolute must.

Day 6: Glengarriff - Bantry - Bere Island 17 miles
Spend a day in the town of Bantry, before moving on to Adrigole. This is a wonderful bay for a lunch stop or quiet overnight. Take a visitor's mooring and row to the small pier. Sail onto Lawrence Cove, a unique family run marina at the head of Bantry Bay, situated on beautiful Bere Island with the stunning backdrop of the Caha mountains and Hungry Hill waterfall.

Day 7: Bere Island - Sneem 32 miles
Sail around Bere Island past Castletownberehaven and through Dursey Sound under the cable car that joins the mainland to Dursey Island and across the Kenmare River to Sneem.

Day 8: Sneem - Valencia Island via the Skelligs Islands 40 miles
A visit to the Skelligs Islands is recommended, however landing by yacht is prohibited and dangerous. To visit the islands, contact the Skelligs Experience on Valentia. Again, a visit to Valentia is difficult although well worth the effort. The views are spectacular and the island is steeped in its own traditions and customs.

Day 9: Valentia - Blasket Islands - Dingle 25 miles
Sail from Valentia towards the Blasket Islands. On a clear day, you can visit the Great Blasket. There are two mooring buoys to the right of the buoy that the ferry uses on the north side of the island. Travel onwards to the lovely town of Dingle, a harbour which affords a safe entrance. Fungie, the famous Dingle Dolphin, can be seen by most incoming yachts. There is so much to do and see in this lively town, and its surrounding areas that one should hire a bike!

Day 10: Dingle - Derrynane 33 miles
Travel onwards to Derrynane, a delightful anchorage. However the entrance and exit are impossible in bad weather. Caherdaniel is only 2 miles away, well worth the visit.

Day 11: Derrynane - Crookhaven 35 miles
Crookhaven was a very significant harbour in the past. The old tall ships sailed across the Atlantic, rounded the Mizen and anchored off Crookhaven. Agents awaited to tell them where their cargo was to be despatched; Dublin, Belfast, Bristol or Liverpool. Today it is a quiet anchorage.

Day 12: Crookhaven - Cape Clear - Castletownshend 25 miles
Travel on to Cape Clear. The North Harbour is very small and is mainly used by the ferry and fishing boats. Yachts can lie afloat at the seaward end of the dock. The walk out of the harbour is very steep, but very soon you are on heights that give you a spectacular view of Carbery's one hundred islands, Roaring Water Bay and the mountains on the mainland. The south harbour is a beautiful anchorage but is open to a swell and southerly winds. Stop for lunch before setting off through the Gascanane Sound for Castletownshend.