Bear Island Island
Uninhabited island off County Cork's Beara Peninsula
Off County Cork, Bere (Bear) Island offers coastal walks, former military forts and ferry access from Castletownbere; visitors arrive for island trails, seafood and views over Bantry Bay.
Bear Island at a Glance#
How to Get to Bear Island#
Access requires a private boat from the nearest harbour on the Beara Peninsula or Munster coast. Arrange transport from towns like Castletownbere or local marinas; landing sites depend on tide and swell.
Tips for Visiting Bear Island#
- If landing or visiting by private boat, make arrangements in advance with the nearest harbour town - spontaneous landings are rarely feasible.
- Look for sea-bird rookeries on the leeward side at dawn; island geology channels currents that concentrate fish and attract birds.
- Bring a good windproof layer - the islands off Cork and Kerry can be unexpectedly exposed even in summer.
Best Time to Visit Bear Island#
Visit in summer for easier sea access; wild weather can strand small boats outside of the calm months.
Weather & Climate near Bear Island#
Bear Island's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1522 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 4° - 9° | 3° | 179 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
| February | Poor | 4° - 9° | 3° | 141 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.8h |
| March | Poor | 5° - 10° | 4° | 127 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.4 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 6° - 12° | 6° | 82 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 5.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Acceptable | 8° - 14° | 11° | 92 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 10° - 16° | 13° | 80 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.3h |
| July | Good | 12° - 18° | 15° | 81 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 15.9h |
| August | Good | 12° - 18° | 15° | 111 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.4h |
| September | Acceptable | 11° - 17° | 14° | 128 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 9° - 14° | 11° | 160 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Poor | 7° - 11° | 6° | 164 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Poor | 5° - 10° | 4° | 177 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |