A Guide to Ballinskelligs Beach
Read our travel guide on Ballinskelligs Beach in Ireland. Includes tips on things to do and see, what to expect, how to get there, when to go, and where to stay.
Situated on the southern side of Skellig Ring, a golden sand Ballinskelligs Beach is one of the must-see places in this area.
If you're planning to explore as many Discovery Points along the Wild Atlantic Way as possible, it's not surprising that this peaceful beach has caught your attention.
This is one of Kerry's Blue Flag Beaches, meaning it's clean, safe, and ideal for swimming. Plus, there is a lifeguard on duty during the summer.
The sheltered bay is a hidden gem of County Kerry, but not many tourists make it all the way down here, especially outside the peak season.
When touring the Ring of Kerry, you will get a chance to explore some lovely beaches, such as Derrynane Beach or Rossbeigh Beach.
And Ballinskelligs Beach may be a great addition to every Ireland road trip itinerary, at least if you're willing to make a short side trip from the Ring of Kerry.
So here's everything you should know about Ballinskelligs Beach before you go.
How to Visit Ballinskelligs Beach
It might not come as a surprise, but visiting Ballinskelligs Beach is very straightforward. Well, it's a beach, so not much planning is required this time.
Pack your essentials, set Ballinskelligs as your location in GPS navigation, and head out for a vibrant day at the beach.
The parking area is fairly large, and there is also a lovely little cafe and a playground for families with kids.
While we didn't come here for water activities (it was still pretty cold), this beach is great for walking, especially if you lucked out on the weather.
The fine sand beach stretches for about a kilometer, and it's just a joy to walk along.
Whether you want to feel sand between your toes or listen to the gentle waves of the Atlantic Ocean, Ballinskelligs will allow you to forget everyday life.
As we mentioned earlier, during the summer, Ballinskelligs Beach has a lifeguard monitoring the bay's shallow waters.
By the way, the Water Safety Ireland offers troughout the summer free swimming and life-saving classes at the Ballinskelligs Pier, which marks the southern end of the beach.
But there are more things to see and do at Ballinskelligs Beach.
McCarthy's Castle
Simply known as Ballinskelligs Castle, this tower house is one of the main attractions at the beach.
McCarthy Mors, the local Chieftans in Cork and Kerry, built it in the 16th century.
While the castle ruins at Ballinskelligs Beach are not Ross Castle or Rock of Cashel, it's the setting that makes them stand out.
The structure is believed to protect the area from pirates and control the vessels entering the bay.
The ruins are visible right from the parking, and getting there on foot is easy.
If you want to see more amazing castles in Ireland, check out this guide.
Ballinskelligs Priory
Less than a 10-minute walk toward the south end of the beach will bring you to Ballinskelligs Priory, a monastery ruins with an ancient graveyard.
Apparently, the ruins are from the 15th century, and even though there is not much left today, it's worth the walk.
By the end of the 13th century, the local monks living at Skellig Michael were forced, due to turbulent weather, to move out of the island and relocate to Ballinskelligs.
So once the stormy weather drove them out, they found a new home right here, at Ballinskelligs Priory.
While the abbey is also accessible by road, there is no parking, so it's better to leave the car at the beach area.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
When to Go
Undoubtedly, summer is the best time to visit Ireland's beaches, and Ballinskelligs Beach is no exception.
We visited this beach in May, and even though the weather was fine for this time of the year, it was still pretty cold for water activities.
At least for us, who walked along the beach while wearing their trusty windproof rain jackets.
Judging from the number of people present in the water (none) and on the beach (very few), it was still a pretty quiet day in Ballinskelligs.
Unlike many beaches, Ballinskelligs is worth visiting on a cold, cloudy, or rainy day, as the historic sites are charming even when the weather doesn't cooperate.
Here you will find more tips on when to visit Ireland.
What to Pack
Bring a waterproof dry bag, flip-flops, a beach towel, swimsuit, and good sunscreen in summer.
A windbreaker might come in handy regardless of the season.
Also, make sure to have your water bottle with you to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Don't forget to read our guide on what to pack for Ireland.
How Much Time Do I Need
This question has no definitive answer, as every visit is individual.
How long you spend on Ballinskelligs Beach depends on many factors, such as activities, time of the year, current weather, and even your itinerary.
Some travelers can spend here as little as thirty minutes, while others stay here the whole day.
If you want to explore the castle and the abbey, you will need at least an hour at Ballinskelligs Beach.
Entrance Fee
If you're visiting Ireland on a budget, the good news is that there is no entry fee to Ballinskelligs Beach.
Opening Hours
The Ballinskelligs Beach is open 24/7, but keep in mind that no overnight parking is allowed here.
How to Get There
Ballinskelligs Beach is located in the remote area of the Iveragh Peninsula, and getting there without your own transport is not easy.
Car
The easiest and best way to reach Ballinskelligs Beach is by car.
Ballinskelligs is accessible via R566, a fairly nice road that turns into a single-lane track as it passes through the village.
Just drive slowly in this area, and you should be fine.
Don't forget to read our guides on driving in Ireland and renting a car in Ireland, featuring plenty of helpful information on both topics.
Ballinskelligs is 80 kilometers west of Killarney, but take the estimated time of arrival with a bit of a grain of salt, as there are many stops along the way.
Limerick is 170 kilometers northeast of Ballinskelligs, while Cork is 170 kilometers east of here. The journey takes about five hours from Dublin.
You can get to Waterville in less than 15 minutes. The trip to Portmagee takes about 30 minutes.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Public Transport
Local bus lines connect the Ballinskelligs with Cahersiveen, Killorglin, and even Tralee. But don't get too excited yet.
Even though these bus services allow locals and tourists to reach the westernmost parts of the Iveragh peninsula, they usually run only once a day and only on certain days.
Simply put, relying on public transport is not ideal in this part of Ireland.
Parking
There is free parking right next to Ballinskelligs Beach. In fact, there are two parking areas.
The smaller parking is closer to the beach but fills up quickly.
The larger parking is right off the main road, and securing a spot during the peak season is easier here.
The distance between both parking areas is only 50 meters, so it doesn't matter where you leave your car.
Where to Stay
Ballinskelligs is home to a handful of small family-owned accommodations and a lovely hostel.
If you get a chance to stay here, you won't find a much better location than this charming village. Keep in mind that demand is high, and most of these accommodations have only a few rooms available.
If everything is booked out, your next best chance is to stay either in nearby towns such as Portmagee or Waterville.
Ballinskelligs | The Skellig Lodge and Hostel - Whether you travel on a budget or not, The Skellig Lodge and Hostel is a great base for exploring Skellig Ring. This affordable hostel overlooks the sea and offers a fantastic location, basic but clean rooms, a fully-equipped shared kitchen, and a homey atmosphere.
Waterville | Butler Arms Hotel - Butler Arms Hotel has spacious rooms with stunning ocean views, friendly staff, a seafood restaurant, and free parking.
Portmagee | The Moorings Hotel - Situated in the heart of Portmagee, the Moorings Hotel offers great value for your money, a seafood restaurant, and a lovely harbor location close to everything.
Is Ballinskelligs Beach Worth Visiting?
If you plan to visit this area, Ballinskelligs Beach is definitely worth visiting, as it's, together with Kerry Cliffs, one of the best stops along the Skellig Ring.
Skellig Ring and nearby Valentia Island were some of our favorite places we saw during our first trip to Ireland.
And it was largely thanks to these little places that are absolutely stunning.
In case you are short on time or simply don't plan to take this scenic detour, there are plenty of lovely beaches along the Ring of Kerry.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
