Days Out NI
Boat trip Ballycastle

Rathlin Island Ferry

The scheduled ferry to Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island.

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Runs all yearYear-round; fuller April-September timeta…
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Rathlin Island Ferry — The scheduled ferry to Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island.

  • The trip: Scheduled passenger & vehicle ferry (not a sightseeing cruise).
  • Departs from: Ballycastle harbour, Bayview Road, BT54 6BT.
  • You may see: Seals, dolphins, porpoise and seabirds; puffins and other nesting birds at the Kebble RSPB reserve in early summer (never guaranteed).
  • Season: Year-round; fuller April-September timetable, reduced in winter, weather-dependent.
  • Booking: Essential - book online in advance; arrive 30 minutes before departure.
  • Cost: Check current prices on the operator's booking page; NI Smart Pass holders free, under-5s free (ticket still needed), dogs free.
Plan your visit

A real island crossing, not a pleasure cruise

Two boats run the route. Kintra II is a high-speed catamaran built in 2020, carries up to 82 passengers and does the crossing in about 30 minutes, but it cannot take luggage. The Spirit of Rathlin is a 105-tonne ferry for up to 141 passengers, takes about 40 minutes, and carries bikes, larger luggage and limited vehicles. On the water and around the island you may see seals, dolphins, porpoise and seabirds, and the Kebble RSPB reserve at the west end draws thousands of nesting puffins, guillemots and razorbills in early summer. None of the wildlife is guaranteed. The Spirit of Rathlin has a lower-deck toilet with disabled access and can take two wheelchairs, though the harbour and island terrain are best checked with the operator if access matters.

Scheduled island ferry Leaves Ballycastle harbour ~30 min fast catamaran Seabirds, seals & puffins Year-round, weather-dependent Book ahead online
Good to know before you go:

Timetables change with the season and are weather-dependent, and the catamaran is also used for occasional North Coast and island tours. Sailings can be cancelled at the skipper's discretion, so always check the operator's own pages for current sailings, dates and prices before you travel.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🧥Warm, windproof layersIt is always cooler and breezier out on the water — dress for it.
  • 🧢A waterproofA bit of sea spray is all part of the adventure.
  • 📷A cameraFor the wildlife, the coast and the castles seen from the sea.
  • 🎫Your bookingMost trips need booking ahead — have the confirmation ready.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Type
Scheduled passenger & vehicle ferry (not a sightseeing cruise)
Departs from
Ballycastle harbour, Bayview Road, BT54 6BT
Duration
Around 30 min (Kintra II catamaran) or 40 min (Spirit of Rathlin)
What you may see
Seals, dolphins, porpoise and seabirds; puffins and other nesting birds at the Kebble RSPB reserve in early summer (never guaranteed)
Season
Year-round; fuller April-September timetable, reduced in winter, weather-dependent
Booking
Essential - book online in advance; arrive 30 minutes before departure
Cost
Check current prices on the operator's booking page; NI Smart Pass holders free, under-5s free (ticket still needed), dogs free
Suitable for
Families happy with a short sea crossing; Spirit of Rathlin has disabled-access toilet and takes two wheelchairs - confirm access needs with the operator
Parking
Limited near the terminal at peak times - allow extra time
Address
Bayview Road, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, BT54 6BT
Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?
Essential - book online in advance; arrive 30 minutes before departure
How much is it?
Check current prices on the operator's booking page; NI Smart Pass holders free, under-5s free (ticket still needed), dogs free
How long is the trip?
Around 30 min (Kintra II catamaran) or 40 min (Spirit of Rathlin)
What might we see?
Seals, dolphins, porpoise and seabirds; puffins and other nesting birds at the Kebble RSPB reserve in early summer (never guaranteed)
When does it run?
Year-round; fuller April-September timetable, reduced in winter, weather-dependent
Getting there

Rathlin Island Ferry departs from Ballycastle harbour, Bayview Road, BT54 6BT. Limited near the terminal at peak times - allow extra time. Tap below for directions to the departure point.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around BallycastleSee what else is close by More boat trips across NISea, lough and river cruises
The story

About the trip

Rathlin is Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island, lying off the coast at Ballycastle, and the ferry is its lifeline link to the mainland. The service is run by Rathlin Ferry with two vessels: the high-speed catamaran Kintra II, built in 2020, and the larger passenger and vehicle ferry Spirit of Rathlin.

The island is best known for its seabird colonies. The RSPB West Light Seabird Centre at the Kebble reserve sits beside the upside-down Rathlin West Light, and the cliffs there host tens of thousands of nesting birds through spring and early summer, including puffins, guillemots and razorbills.