Waterville Day Trips to Valentia and Derrynane
Four outings from Waterville work well in a single day, and a fifth stretches to a very long one. Journey times below are estimates for the Ring of Kerry roads, which are narrow and slow in places.
At a glance
| Trip | Drive from Waterville | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|
| Derrynane and Staigue Fort | about 25 minutes each way | half to full day |
| Cahersiveen | about 25 to 30 minutes | half day |
| Skellig Ring loop | about 1.5 hours round the loop | about 3 hours with stops |
| Skellig Ring plus Valentia | about 35 minutes to Portmagee (roughly 40 km) | about 5 hours with stops |
| Killarney | about 110 km, 2 hours each way | a long day |
Skellig Ring and Valentia
The loop covers about 50 km including Valentia. Start with Ballinskelligs, 15 minutes from Waterville, where a castle and a priory stand beside the bay. A telescope viewpoint a little further on looks toward the Skelligs, and the parking is a small bend, so stop only if it is safe. Next comes St Finian’s Bay (about 25 minutes), home to Skelligs Chocolate Company, where visitors can watch and taste for free. Check which days it opens.
The road then climbs over Coomanaspig Pass, about 248 m high. Kerry Cliffs follow, about 5 minutes before Portmagee, with entry at about €5 a head and seasonal hours. Portmagee is the bridge to Valentia Island.
On Valentia you can visit Geokaun Mountain and Fogher Cliffs, which are open at all hours (car €8, walker €4), and Cromwell Point Lighthouse. The Tetrapod Trackway at Dohilla has been closed for repairs since 13 November 2025, so check the NPWS notice before going.
Derrynane and Staigue Fort
Derrynane National Historic Park has a historic house, a Blue Flag beach, trails and a café. The house is open from 13 March to 1 November 2026 and costs €5 for an adult. Walk the parkland and beach, but swim only where a lifeguard flag is up in season, because the beach has a marked no-swim section and strong currents. The tidal path to Abbey Island has unprotected cliff edges on the south side and is not for small children.
Staigue Stone Fort is at Castlecove, on the way back, and a voluntary donation is asked.
Cahersiveen
Cahersiveen has two stone forts, Cahergall and Leacanabuaile, and the Old Barracks heritage centre. Confirm the centre’s hours before you drive.
Killarney and the bus
The N70 to Killarney is about 110 km. You could go by car, or ride the Local Link Route 280 bus, which runs from Waterville through Cahersiveen to the Killarney bus and rail station. Four daily trips go the whole way. Dingle is over 2.5 hours each way from Waterville and is too far for a day.
Practical points
- The N70 is a busy main road, and cyclists and walkers use it.
- Skellig boat trips are best kept for a separate day, with a spare day in hand.
- Sunny mornings can turn wet by lunchtime on the Atlantic coast.
Read more: family friendly activities near Waterville suggests stops for a day out with children.
The NPWS closure notice explains the trackway, Derrynane House lists current hours, and organised trips can be compared on Viator .