Whiddy Island Island

Whiddy Island is an island in Bantry Bay off the southwest coast of County Cork, Ireland. It is known for its maritime history and coastal landscapes.

The island offers coastal walking, sheltered beaches and views across Bantry Bay, attracting both day visitors and local boat traffic. It also contains the remains of an oil handling terminal and associated industrial infrastructure.

In the mid-20th century an oil terminal was established on the island; in 1979 the oil tanker Betelgeuse exploded and sank at the terminal, an event that had significant local impact. The island has also been used for farming and local habitation.

Whiddy Island lies in Bantry Bay near the town of Bantry in County Cork, southwest Ireland, and is reached by short ferry or private-boat crossings.

• Betelgeuse disaster: Site of the 1979 Whiddy Island oil tanker explosion (the Betelgeuse disaster), a major event in the island’s modern history.
• Access and activities: Accessible by ferry from Bantry and used for coastal walks and wildlife viewing within Bantry Bay.

Whiddy Island is reached by boat from Bantry (County Cork) in Bantry Bay; local operators run the short crossing from Bantry quay to the island. Bantry is reached by car on the N71 from Cork (about 90 km / roughly 1.5 hours driving) or by regional bus services to Bantry town - from the quay it’s a short walk to the island ferry landing.

• Take the seasonal passenger ferry from Bantry rather than assuming private landing is possible; check the Bantry harbour ferry schedule in advance as crossings are limited.
• Plan a morning landing and walk the island loop to reach the old gun emplacements and shoreline viewpoints before the small number of day-trippers arrive.
• Speak to local operators in Bantry about tide and weather windows-round-trip timings and safe landing spots can change quickly with swell in Bantry Bay.