Whales, dolphins and more: So much to see in the sea off Courtmacsherry

A whale and dolphin spotting trip is a great way of seeing our gorgeous coastline with a chance to see some special marine life

They must be fairly intelligent... they look after their young, they seem to be trainable and they respond well to cues and love getting treats.

That's what the dolphins are surely thinking about humans when they spot a boat-load of us craning over the sides, holding children up for a better view and cheering when a pod ripples along barely under the surface before leaping into the air.

Heather growing on the coastline near Courtmacsherry, viewed from onboard the new vessel 'Lady Catherine'

We'd had a long day out on the coast off Courtmacsherry, travelling between Nohoval and Garrylucas and over towards Dunworley and Galley Head. It's gorgeous coastline and it's so special to be able to see how all the popular headlands and cliffs and beaches link up in a way you just can't see when you're travelling by road.

The Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse viewed from the water. Picture: Larry Cummins 

The Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse is magnificent and the purple heather on the cliffs is just glorious when it catches the sun. But we were really here to see some marine life — especially dolphins and hopefully whales.

[e-mail] Breaching humpback whale, Cork

Of course there are no guarantees that you'll meet any creatures at all — to be fair they are wild creatures and do their own thing — but the crew on Atlantic Whale and Wildlife Tours are well used to spotting tell-tale signs of whales or dolphins from afar and at manoeuvring into position to get a good view without tormenting them. [note. Correctly, there's no option to jump into the water or throw food to the dolphins or sharks, so forget that]

Owner/skipper Mark Gannon onboard the new vessel 'Lady Catherine'. Picture: Larry Cummins

Skipper Mark Gannon and crew member Ronan O'Sullivan were determined not to let us go home 'empty-handed' so we zipped around to some spots where they've been lucky enough to encounter large marine life in the past and sure enough a pod of dolphins were in the area. They glided along next to the boat and cut across in front of it in a manner that really seemed like they were curious about the people.

Dolphins near Coutmacsherry, County Cork, sighted while on a tour with Atlantic Whale and Wildlife Tours. Picture: Larry Cummins

And in a highlight for many of the keen dolphin-spotters on board one had a little calf with her. Mother and calf were totally synchronised and looked absolutely spectacular as they passed under the bow and emerged alongside the boat over and over again. And then their food moved on or maybe we didn't entertain the pod well enough and they all undulated off into the evening. 

Basking shark, Cork. picture: [e-mail]

We didn't manage to spot any basking sharks or whales on this particular day but other trips have had that extra bit of luck and have seen humpback whales breaching and basking sharks 'hoovering up food' just under the surface.

[e-mail] cork 

Also worth keeping an eye out for is the Old Head of Kinsale — there are caves galore and some tunnels that go right through as well so it's interesting to see from the sea. 

Keeping an eye out for marine activity, on a tour with Atlantic Whale and wildlife tours, onboard the new vessel Lady Catherine. Picture: Larry Cummins

While you're only say an hour or so from Cork city a 'daycation' like this really feels like being on a longer break away. Any trip where you end up with saltspray on your face and buzzing with excitement will do that to you!

Atlantic Whale and Wildlife Tour in Courtmacsherry

But the beauty of trips such as these is you can see or experience something really special and still be back home again before nightfall. The other handy aspect is that you can add something free onto your paid-for adventure and really get the most of a day out. 

Crew member Ronan O'Sullivan scanning the horizon for whales or dolphins. Picture: Larry Cummins 

With that in mind, Timoleague Abbey is only 'up the road'. You could drive into Timoleague or maybe walk along the water's edge pedestrian trail from Courtmac to Timoleague — one option might be to let some of your party walk in one direction and swap with the driver for the return trip. 

Timoleague Abbey is a ruined medieval Franciscan friary overlooking Courtmacsherry Bay. The arched windows, ancient graves and the 'wart well' or bullaun are all worth a look. 

The Lifeboat Inn, Courtmacsherry

Definitely hungry by now you've got plenty food options here. Keeping in with our ocean trip our food pick was The Lifeboat Inn in Courtmacsherry.  It's on the main street and has a garden across the street where you can eat as well. Food here is delish, by the way and there's plenty of it which you'll appreciate after a few hours out on the water. The Caherbeg black pudding croquettes with garlic aïoli and apple purée disappeared at a faster rate than any basking shark could manage, and the Guinness and chocolate cake, with salted caramel ice cream was a hit with two adults and two teenagers. And it's so nice to be home again an hour later and not have to cook!

Atlantic Whale and wildlife tours, based in Courtmacsherry, County Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins 

Some practical details: 

• We travelled on the Lady Catherine. It's nearly 13 metres long and has indoor and outdoor seating and a loo. The ship is wheelchair accessible and brand new. 

Email  [e-mail] to book your places.

Stern view of passenger area onboard the new vessel 'Lady Catherine'

• See monastic.ie/history/timoleague-franciscan-friary/ to find out more about Timoleague Abbey.
• The Lifeboat Inn in Courtmac had a good mix of visitors and locals which is always a good sign. And speaking of locals, a lot of the food is from local producers including Gubbeen Farmhouse Products, Schull; The Fresh Fish Deli, Skibbereen; Bushbys Strawberries, Rosscarbery; Caherbeg Free Range Pork, Rosscarbery; and Glenown Ice Cream, Fermoy.

Other Cork daycation options

• Midleton Greenway Bikes and Bites
• Midleton Distillery
• Cork Harbour Cruises
• Ballyhass Adventure, Mallow
• Allihies Copper Mine Museum
• Clonakilty Black Pudding Visitor Centre
• Lusitania Museum and Old Head Signal Tower
• Cape Clear Ferries & Fastnet Tours
• Atlantic Sea Kayaking Skibbereen

And more at discoverireland.ie/cork

See discoverireland.ie/explore/daycations for daycations ideas for other counties.