Frequently Asked Questions

Ballycastle harbour, beside the town, with easy parking (check the signs for charges). Be at the boat 15 minutes before departure.

All tours depart from the outer pier at Ballycastle Marina, located on the pontoon behind the Rathlin Ferry.

Yes, parking is available at Ballycastle Marina.

For up-to-date parking information, charges, and restrictions, please visit:
👉 https://www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/live/parking

We recommend allowing extra time during peak summer months.

Book ahead if your heart is set on a particular sailing: summer boats fill. If you're deciding on the day, check the live sailings page in the morning; if there's a seat, it's yours.

We are licensed by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency for up to 110 passengers on Selkie (our primary vessel).

On rare occasions, an alternative vessel may be used.

Yes. Ask the crew and they'll point the way.

Yes, our tours are safe and suitable for children.

Selkie offers both indoor seating areas and outdoor deck space, providing comfort in all weather conditions. The vessel features sides on the lower deck (approx. 1.5m) and secure railings along the upper deck.

Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.

On the Carrick-a-Rede sailing, absolutely: it's built for families, about an hour, gentle, with infant tickets. The longer Rathlin tours deliberately have no infant tickets: two to four-plus hours on open water is more than a small child enjoys. The short tour is the one made for them.

Yes, prams and buggies can be accommodated depending on the tour and available space.

Please check individual tour details or contact us in advance.

Dogs sail free, no ticket needed. Keep them on a lead, and bring something warm for them: people forget how cold it gets on the water, and that goes double for the dog.

Some tours include a stop on Rathlin Island, while others are coastal sightseeing tours only.

Please check the individual tour description when booking.

While sightings can never be guaranteed, our crew know the tried and tested spots. Puffins are seasonal (April to mid-August); seals show up on almost every Rathlin sailing; dolphins pass through often and love our bow; whales are rare and all the more special for it. You can't book a dolphin, but if they show up, it makes our day too.

Our onboard wildlife guides help spot and identify species throughout the trip.

The honest answer: you can't book a dolphin, and anyone who promises one is telling you a story. What we can tell you is when the odds are best and that our skipper knows the spots they favour.

Layers, always: a warm layer and a windproof one, even when the harbour is sunny. Flat shoes with grip. Every week someone boards in a t-shirt and regrets it by the first headland.

Most people are fine: this coast is calmer than most sea trips people compare it with. But if you know you're prone to motion sickness, take your usual remedy before we sail and pick a seat with a view of the horizon. The crew have seen it all; nobody will make a fuss.

No, bicycles and large items are not permitted onboard due to space and safety restrictions.

The truthful picture: getting aboard means a lift of around half a metre and a couple of steps, and the crew are genuinely good at helping. Manual wheelchairs have come aboard with a hand from us and been glad they did; a large electric wheelchair won't fit. If mobility is a concern, message us before booking and we'll tell you straight what's possible on the day.

No, swimming is not permitted due to safety and operational requirements.

Yes, private charters are available outside of scheduled tour times.

Please contact us directly for availability and pricing.

If your tour is cancelled due to weather or sea conditions, you will be offered a full refund or the option to transfer to another trip (subject to availability).

Yes, lifejackets are available onboard for every passenger in case of emergency.

They are not routinely worn during the trip.