A Guide to Waterville
Read our travel guide on Waterville in Ireland. Includes best things to do and see, tips on where to stay, how to get, or when to go.
Waterville is a small seaside village nestled between the freshwater lake of Lough Currane and the Atlantic Ocean in County Kerry.
Overlooking Ballinskelligs Bay, it's one of the most remarkable villages along the iconic Ring of Kerry, considered to be one of the highlights of every Ireland road trip.
The village has a fantastic location and is viewed as a gateway to the nearby Skellig Ring.
One of the main reasons why Waterville is so popular is that it is the only seafront village on the Ring of Kerry.
Summer is the most popular time to visit Waterville, as the days are long and warm, and there is enough daylight to marvel at the local scenery for hours.
As a result, locals and international visitors flock to the Ring of Kerry, making Waterville a proper summer destination.
Even Charlie Chaplin thought this was no ordinary place and repeatedly brought his family to Waterville for summer vacations.
So here's everything you should know about Waterville before you go.
What to See and Do
At first, it might seem that there is not that much to see and do in Waterville. But that's not entirely true.
For its size, the village has great accommodations, nice restaurants, and a few cafes and stores.
Plus, you can enjoy a pleasant walk along the beach and the promenade, learn more about the local history, play golf, go fishing, enjoy the views of the ocean, have a delicious seafood dish, or stay overnight (or even a few days) in a nice hotel.
Some brave souls even dare to surf or SUP from the beach on a calm day.
By the way, the village also has a remaining building of the former Waterville Cable Station Office if you're interested in the telecommunications history.
And despite some hectic days in the summer, the atmosphere in the village remains calm and peaceful.
Simply put, Waterville is a top tourist destination in County Kerry for a reason.
Waterville Beach
As hinted above, Waterville has a lovely beach stretching along the village.
And we are not afraid to say that it's one of the main attractions in the village, at least if you don't mind that the beach is mostly rocky during the high tide.
For the sandy parts to reappear from under the water, you need to wait for the low tide (check the local tide times).
If you decide to stay in Waterville overnight, make sure to catch the sunset (or sunrise) from the beach.
Due to its location, the sunset is arguably more impressive here. However, you will have the beach for yourself if you get up early to catch the first light of the day.
In summer, you can also take a guided walk along the beach with Sea Synergy, a local Marine Awareness, Research, and Activity Centre.
If you love beaches, make sure also to visit the nearby Derrynane Beach and Ballinskelligs Beach.
Promenade
In case you want to enjoy Waterville without sandy feet or pebbles in your shoes, you can take a leisure stroll along the Waterville Promenade.
The views and the smell of sea air are as good as from the beach while making the beach area accessible to all ages and abilities.
The beach has a statue of Charlie Chaplin, an English comic actor and a huge silent movie era star who was very fond of the Waterville area.
Not surprisingly, the path along the beach was named Charlie Chaplin Walk.
By the way, Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival has been annually held in Waterville since 2011.
Waterville Golf Links
After a few days in Ireland, we've already seen a few golf courses at premium locations such as Powerscourt or Old Head of Kinsale.
So we were not surprised to find another one in Waterville.
And it's just not any golf course, as its history reaches back to 1889.
If you're an avid golfer, it's good to know that the Waterville Golf Links is considered to be one of the best golf courses in Ireland.
With a long history, great design, sand dunes, and amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean, this is a must-play for any golfer coming to Ireland, especially on a picture-perfect day.
Lough Currane
If you prefer the freshwater experience over the salty one, visit Lough Currane, Waterville's largest lake.
It is popular with kayaking and SUP tours, but it's overshadowed by the beach and the Atlantic Ocean, so you won't meet many people in this area.
By the way, the Lough Currane is famous for its salmon and sea trout fly fishing.
Stone Forts
Iveragh Peninsula has a rich history, so it's not surprising that you will come across several stone forts in the area surrounding Waterville.
These ancient structures are simply stunning and well worth a drive.
Whether you visit Cahergall, Leacanabuaile in the north or Staigue and Caherdaniel in the east, you won't leave disappointed.
Skellig Ring
Thanks to its location, Waterville is one of the starting points for Skellig Ring.
This scenic road will allow you to escape the crowds as it's simply too narrow for the big tour buses.
Skellig Ring features some amazing places, such as stunning Kerry Cliffs or Ballinskelligs Beach, making it one of the most incredible places to visit in Ireland.
If you make it all the way to Portmagee, consider exploring the stunning Valentia Island as well.
It features more history of the Transatlantic telegraph cable and amazing scenery such as Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs.
How Much Time Do I Need
Waterville is a tiny village, and many visitors just make a quick stop here before rushing off to another attraction.
On the other hand, some travelers decide to stay longer, and some even spend a night here.
Therefore, how much time you should plan for Waterville depends only on your Ireland road trip itinerary and preferences.
Unless this is just a quick photo stop, an hour (or two) in Waterville should be more than enough for most travelers, especially those short on time.
When to Go
Waterville is an all year round destination that is especially busy during the summer season.
Summer is often considered the best time to visit Waterville and nearby attractions, but you should be prepared that you won't have this place just for yourself.
Many people will drive through the village during the day (especially midday), and most of them will make a quick stop there to snap a photo of the beach.
Therefore, some days are far from quiet in Waterville.
Everything slows down during the spring and autumn, and we believe that these periods are great for visitors who want to see the Ring of Kerry without crowds.
While you can visit Waterville in winter, don't forget that this time of the year has short, cold, and wet days.
Read our guide to learn more about when to visit Ireland.
What to Pack
If you make a quick stop in Waterville, wear suitable footwear and clothing according to the weather.
Depending on the current weather conditions, you may also need a windbreaker or even a rain jacket. Don't forget that Ireland's coastal areas are often windy and rainy, even during the summer.
Stay hydrated, bring a water bottle, a comfortable daypack, and use strong sunscreen in the summer.
Outside the summer season, you will most likely need an extra layer to stay warm.
Here's our Ireland packing list, including helpful tips on this topic.
How to Get There
Waterville is situated in the southwestern part of the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry on N70 and is easily accessible by car.
Car
Waterville is about 90 kilometers west of Killarney via the N70 coastal route.
Alternatively, you can follow the 60-kilometer inland route through the Ballaghisheen Pass.
This road is very rural and very narrow, and we recommend opting for the coastal road instead, especially if you're visiting the Ring of Kerry for the first time.
Cork is 160 kilometers east of Waterville. Limerick is about 170 kilometers northeast of here. It takes more than five hours to reach Waterville from Dublin.
In reality, it usually takes at least a few days to reach this area, as there are many incredible stops along the way you should visit.
Yes, places such as the Wicklow Mountains or Clonmacnoise are definitely worth exploring first.
Here you will find more tips on driving in Ireland and renting a car in Ireland.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Parking
There are a few free parking areas along Waterville Beach, or you can use street parking.
Keep in mind that Waterville gets busy during the peak season, and finding an empty spot might prove difficult.
Public Transport
A Local Link bus connects Waterville with other villages on the Ring of Kerry, such as Cahersiveen or Killorglin.
However, we believe this option is not very convenient for the majority of travelers who have a limited time in Ireland.
Tours
Alternatively, you can join a guided Ring of Kerry Tour, which includes a stop at Waterville.
Where to Stay
If you start your Ring of Kerry road trip in Killarney and decide to split your journey into two days, Waterville is a great place to stay overnight.
We included three mid-range hotels with a similar level of service in our list as they offer good value for money.
But the main reason behind it is that they usually have some rooms available even in the peak season.
Still, we believe it's better to make your reservations during the summer period well in advance to avoid disappointment (and high prices).
There are also small bed and breakfasts and family-owned apartments in Waterville (and outside the village), but they usually have limited capacity.
Here we hand-selected the best hotels in Waterville.
Mid-range | The Smugglers Inn - Overlooking Ballinskelligs Bay, The Smugglers Inn has an excellent location right on the beach and next to the golf course. It features charming rooms, a seafood restaurant, a bar, and a welcoming staff. Great value for your money.
Mid-range | Sea Lodge Hotel - Spacious and clean rooms, beautiful views, lovely decor, free parking, helpful staff, and an on-site restaurant, Sea Lodge Hotel is also a good choice when it comes to accommodation in Waterville.
Mid-range | Butler Arms Hotel - With spacious rooms, Atlantic Ocean views, a seafood restaurant, a traditional Irish breakfast, and free parking, The Butler Arms Hotel is one of the best hotels in Waterville.
Staying Safe
Waterville is a very safe place to visit, but you should still use your common sense while there.
Don't leave your valuables in your car, and never underestimate the local weather. Otherwise, you should be fine.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Ireland.
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!
Is Waterville Worth Visiting?
As mentioned earlier, Waterville is a little village on the iconic Ring of Kerry.
Therefore, chances are high that a road trip along this scenic road will bring you to Waterville either way.
In our opinion, it's worth stopping in Waterville, even if it's just for a short walk along the beach.
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.
