A day out on the North Coast
Ballycastle is a great base for a day on the North Coast. Here are our favourite places within half an hour, with honest tips. And if you would rather see some of them from the water, you can just come with us.
Most of the places below are a short drive along the coast road. From May to September the Causeway Rambler bus (402) links Ballycastle with Carrick-a-Rede and the Giant's Causeway, and the Antrim Coaster (252) comes up the coast from Belfast. Bus times change with the season, so check them on the Translink website before you set off.
Our boat and Rathlin Ferry both leave from Ballycastle harbour, a few minutes' walk from the town.
On foot from the harbour · the beach is about 1 km, 10 minutes' walk · free
Start with a walk on the beach, from the marina to Pans Rock, with Rathlin across the water. At the harbour is the Marconi memorial: in 1898 the first commercial wireless message was sent from here to the East Light on Rathlin.
For lunch there are fish and chips at the marina, pubs with seafood chowder and cafés on the main street, all a short walk from our boat.
Rathlin Ferry leaves from the same harbour as our boat · about 25 to 40 minutes' crossing · book ahead in summer
Rathlin Ferry sails from the same harbour as our boat. With the ferry you get the whole day on the island: walk the lanes, pop into the free Boathouse Visitor Centre at Church Bay, and have lunch at the Manor House or McCuaig's. In season the Puffin Bus meets the ferries and takes you to the RSPB West Light Seabird Centre, about four miles away.
Every sailing depends on the sea conditions, for the ferries as much as for us.
Short on time? On our Wild Rathlin tour you see the island's cliffs, caves and lighthouses from the water, then spend an hour ashore at Church Bay. Wild Rathlin
About 5 to 7 km by car, no bus · £3 honesty box at the car park · walks of 1.5 to 3.4 miles
Wild clifftop walks on a working farm, with some of the biggest views on the coast. The cliffs are sheer and unfenced, so stay well back from the edge. There are no toilets or cafés out there, so go prepared, and leave the dog at home: it is a working farm.
All our Rathlin tours sail by Fair Head, the tallest cliff face in Northern Ireland, so you can see it from below too. Our tours
About 5 km, 7 minutes by car · free car park and toilets · 140 steep steps down and back up
A castle ruin from 1547 on a narrow white chalk headland, with views over to Rathlin. The car park at the top is free. The steps are steep and uneven, and the climb back up is the part people forget, so take your time.
Rather skip the steps? Our Carrick-a-Rede boat tour sails right past Kinbane Castle. See the tour
About 8 km, 10 minutes by car, or the Causeway Rambler bus (402) in summer · National Trust ticket: adults £15 to £16, children 5 to 17 £7.50 to £8, under 5s free · book a time slot online
The famous rope bridge, first put up by salmon fishermen. From the car park it is about 20 minutes' walk each way along the cliff path, and the crossing itself takes a few seconds. In high wind the bridge closes, so check on the morning of your visit.
Or see it from underneath: on our boat tour you look up at the bridge from the water, no ticket for the bridge needed. Carrick-a-Rede from the sea
About 9 km, 11 minutes by car · free car park and toilets · on foot it is the Causeway Coast Way, about 11.5 km, with a stretch of road without a footpath
A tiny harbour at the bottom of a steep lane, with white chalk rocks and sea stacks. Game of Thrones fans know it as the Iron Islands. The car park fills up on sunny days, so come early or late.
About 21 km, 20 minutes by car, or the Causeway Rambler bus (402) in summer · the stones are free, the visitor centre needs a National Trust ticket
The famous basalt columns at the edge of the sea. You can walk to the stones for free; parking and the visitor centre come with the National Trust ticket. We do not sail to the Causeway, but it is an easy drive from Ballycastle.
All our tours leave from the outer pier at Ballycastle harbour.
The Causeway Coast from the sea: sail by Kinbane Castle and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge on an easy 1.5 hour boat trip from Ballycastle. Caves and waterfalls.
A 2 hour boat tour from Ballycastle to Rathlin Island in search of seals basking on the rocks, past tall lighthouses and Atlantic cliffs in the quieter season.
Our Rathlin landing tour after the puffins: a 3.5 hour boat trip from Ballycastle past cliffs, caves and lighthouses in search of seals, with 1 hour ashore.
Please be at the boat 15 minutes before departure. Bring warm, waterproof clothes and wear flat shoes. Every sailing depends on the sea conditions.
Every tour leaves from Ballycastle harbour, a few minutes' walk from the town.
