Cork Harbour is Ireland’s Maritime Haven, set in a beautiful coastal environment with a significant maritime history spanning over a thousand years. It is the gateway to Europe’s finest maritime-inspired stories and adventures and is also ideally situated between two of the best experiences in Ireland – the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East.
Cobh was the departure point for 2.5 million Irish people emigrating to North America between 1848 and 1950. Renowned as the Titanic’s last port of call in 1912 and the last resting place for some of the victims of the RMS Lusitania, it is also a beautiful coastal village with colourful houses and colourful locals! Cobh is spectacularly situated on the southern shores of Great Island and there is so much to see and do in Cobh that a day probably won’t be long enough. There are also many ways to get to Cobh but the most appropriate way is to arrive by boat or luxury Cruise ship – other ways include by road or by train, both less than a 30 minute journey from Cork city.
Ocean Escapes are operating a new 72-seater tour boat for the summer season connecting Cobh and Cork City. Ocean Escapes will operate daily guided tours of the harbour from Cobh to Cork City and Cork to Cobh, with a return by rail option, until September. It’s a different and exciting way to bring tourists from the city down to Cobh or for cruise passengers to travel to Cork. Locals and visitors alike will enjoy the experience, which will include the sights, sounds and stories of the harbour, told in a fun and theatrical way by engaging guides. For more see www.oceanescapes.ie.
Cork Harbour Boat Hire offer self drive boat options from their base at The Quays Bar in Cobh. These easy to drive boats are led around the Harbour by a safety boat with a fully qualified safety boat guide and offer a great outing for family or friends with superb photo opportunities. 
New this year are high speed Rib tours to Roche’s Point and onwards to Robert’s Cove. For more see http://www.corkharbourboathire.com/
Spike Island is only accessible by boat from Kennedy Pier in Cobh and was voted Europe’s Top Tourist Attraction in 2017. Book in advance on https://www.spikeislandcork.ie/ as sailings normally sell out in advance, especially at weekends, school holidays or on Cruise Liner days.
