Cape Clear Ferries – Accessibility Welcome Guide

At Cape Clear Ferries, we want everyone to feel welcome and confident when travelling with us.
This guide provides clear, honest information about our vessels, boarding conditions, facilities, and supports helping you decide if our services meet your needs, while ensuring compliance with maritime regulations and best practices.

If you have any questions or would like personalised guidance, please contact us. We are always happy to help.

Contact Information

Email: info@capeclearferries.com
Phone: +353 (0)28 39159
Mobile: +353 (0)87 3899711

Baltimore Boat: +353 (0)86 3465110
Schull Boat: +353 (0)87 3899711

Address:
Cape Clear Ferries
The Pier, Baltimore, Co. Cork

Social Media:
Instagram: @capeclearferries
Facebook: @capeclearferries
X (Twitter): @capeclearferry

1. Who This Guide Is For

This guide is helpful for anyone who may:

  • Use a wheelchair, mobility scooter, cane or walking aid
  • Have reduced mobility or difficulty with slopes or steps
  • Be blind or have low vision
  • Be D/deaf or hard of hearing
  • Be neurodivergent or have sensory sensitivities
  • Travel with an assistance dog
  • Travel with older adults or young children
  • Prefer reliable and predictable information before their journey

Everyone’s needs are different please contact us with any questions.

2. Getting Here

This section explains how to reach West Cork from Cork Airport and Cork City, and how to continue to Baltimore or Schull, our ferry departure points.

From Cork City (by car)

  • Baltimore: approx. 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Schull: approx. 1 hour 40 minutes
    Roads include national routes and some narrow rural sections.

 

From Cork City (by bus)

  • West Cork Connect Route 230 operates between Cork City and Skibbereen.

 

From Skibbereen

  • To Baltimore: Local Link Route 266 serves Skibbereen ↔ Baltimore.
  • To Schull: Local Link Route 265 serves Skibbereen ↔ Schull.
  • Taxis are also readily available (approx. 12 minutes to Baltimore).

Timetables vary seasonally; passengers should check current schedules.

From Cork Airport

  • Baltimore: approx. 1 hour 40 minutes by car
  • Schull: approx. 1 hour 50 minutes by car
  • Bus 226 connects the airport to Cork City for transfer to West Cork services.

3. Booking & Pre-Arrival Support

Passengers with reduced mobility are encouraged to contact us at least 48 hours before travelling so we can prepare for tidal conditions and advise on the most suitable sailings.

You can book:

  • Online www.capeclearferries.com (Our website follows WCAG 2.2AA accessibility guidelines to ensure it is user-friendly for all.)
  • By phone or email +3532839159 / info@capeclearferries.com
  • At our Baltimore office – during the summer months

We can help by advising:

  • Best sailing times based on tides
  • Quieter sailings
  • Whether cabin access is likely
  • Wheelchair space availability
  • Extra time needed during boarding

If you require extra time boarding, or prefer to board first or last, please let us know and we will be happy to assist.

4. Boarding the Vessel

Boarding varies depending on tide, vessel, and departure point.

Baltimore Pier

  • Wide steps with handrails
  • Crew assistance available
  • Tickets checked at top of steps & passengers counted

 

Schull Pier (Seasonal)

  • Gangway with handrails on both sides
  • Crew support with safe boarding and passenger counting

 

Cape Clear Island

  • Similar boarding procedure to mainland, with crew on hand to help.

 

Wheelchairs & Mobility Aids

  • Gangways are wheelchair-accessible, but steepness depends on tide.
  • Gangway access leads to the upper outdoor deck.
  • Cabin access may not always be possible at certain tide levels.
  • Please contact us if cabin access is essential so we can recommend the best sailing.

5. Onboard Accessibility

Vessel features may vary slightly but typically include:

Seating

  • Indoor heated saloons
  • Outdoor seating areas
  • Wheelchair seating can be reserved with 2–3 days’ notice

 

Movement & Motion

  • The boat may roll depending on sea conditions
  • Passengers are advised to remain seated while underway

 

Toilets

  • Accessible toilets available at all ports
  • Toilets are available onboard however they are not wheelchair friendly toilets due to vessel design

 

Hearing & Vision Support

  • Safety announcements via speaker pre recorded
  • Visual safety posters
  • High-contrast signage
  • Braille signage on vessels

 

Assistance Dogs

  • Guide and assistance dogs welcome
  • Must wear appropriate harness
  • Water provided on request
  • Assistance dogs may enter the indoor saloon

6. Hidden Disabilities & Crew Support

  • Crew trained in disability awareness
  • Hidden disability (“lifeboat”) lanyards available
  • Crew can assist with boarding, stowing mobility aids, and locating quieter spaces
  • Safety information can be provided verbally, in writing, or repeated if required

7. Journey Times

  • Baltimore → Cape Clear: approx. 40 minutes
  • Schull → Cape Clear: approx. 25 minutes
  • Fastnet Direct Tour: approx. 2.5 hours
  • Fastnet Day Tour: approx. 6 hours, including island stop
  • Wildlife sightings may extend journey slightly

8. Port Facilities

Baltimore

  • Accessible parking near Harbour Office
  • Accessible toilets nearby
  • Shops and restaurants within 3–5 minutes’ walk from the pier

 

Schull

  • Accessible parking opposite Schull Harbour Hotel
  • Accessible public toilets on the pier
  • Shops and cafés within 5-6 minutes walk from the pier

 

Cape Clear Island

  • Accessible toilets behind Club Cléire
  • Sopa Beag and food options within short walking distance of the pier on the flat. Cotters bar up the hill about 5 mins further.

9. Sensory & Planning Tools

Available on request:

  • Photos of vessels and boarding points
  • Step-by-step description of boarding
  • Information about busy and quieter sailings
  • Sensory guidance (sound, movement, smells, crowds)
  • Support for anxious or neurodivergent travellers

10. Safety & Emergencies

  • All crew fully trained and qualified
  • Safety briefing before departure
  • Instructions available verbally or in writing
  • First-aid trained staff and kits on board
  • Please inform crew discreetly if you may need help in an emergency

11. Medical & emergency Support

While medical emergencies are rare, we want passengers to feel informed and reassured. Cape Clear Ferries operates in remote coastal areas where response times can vary, and knowing what to expect helps everyone travel with confidence.

Onboard Support

  • All crew are trained in first aid and emergency response.
  • A first-aid kit and emergency equipment are carried on all vessels.
  • If you have a medical condition that may require assistance, you may discreetly inform the crew before departure.
  • In an emergency, the skipper will prioritise a return to the nearest suitable harbour or coordinate directly with emergency services.

 

Emergency Services

  • 112 or 999 are the emergency numbers in Ireland.
  • The Baltimore RNLI Lifeboat may be tasked to assist in medical or maritime emergencies when required.
  • Serious medical incidents at sea may involve the Irish Coast Guard and RNLI working together with our crew.
  • Helicopter evacuation is coordinated through the Irish Coast Guard.
  • Cape Clear Island has a designated helipad, allowing for rapid helicopter access when necessary.
  • For non-urgent issues, crew will assist in contacting local medical providers once ashore.

 

Nearest Medical Facilities


Baltimore (Mainland Departure Point)

  • Skibbereen Medical Centre – nearest GP and primary care services (approx. 12 minutes by road).
  • Bantry Injury Unit – treats broken bones, sprains, minor burns, cuts, and non-life-threatening injuries (approx. 45 minutes from Skibbereen / 1 hour from Baltimore).
  • Cork University Hospital (CUH) – nearest 24-hour emergency department, approx. 1 hour 30 minutes by road.
  • Pharmacies and additional GP clinics available in Skibbereen.


Schull (Seasonal Departure Point)

Schull Medical Centre – local GP services.

  • Additional GP and pharmacy services in Ballydehob and Skibbereen.
  • Bantry Injury Unit – nearest urgent injury clinic (approx. 45 minutes by road).
  • Emergency department: Cork University Hospital (CUH), approx. 1 hour 45 minutes by road.


Cape Clear Island

  • Community First Responder team available for cardiac and emergency first-aid support.
  • Basic first-aid assistance on the island.
  • For serious emergencies, evacuation may be:
    – By ferry (conditions permitting)
    – By the Baltimore RNLI Lifeboat
    – By Irish Coast Guard helicopter, using Cape Clear’s helipad
  • As island medical facilities are limited, passengers with higher medical needs should plan ahead.


If You May Need Medical Support During Your Journey

We encourage passengers with chronic conditions, mobility challenges, or medical needs to contact us before travelling so we can:

  • Recommend the most suitable sailing based on weather and tides
  • Provide quieter boarding or additional assistance
  • Help with storing medication safely
  • Ensure crew are prepared to support you if needed

12. Feedback & Continuous Improvement

We are committed to improving accessibility across all our services.
If you have suggestions or feedback, we would love to hear from you.

Email: info@capeclearferries.com
Phone: +353 (0)28 39159
Last updated: November 2025