Visiting Rathlin Island & everything you need to know!

A few summers ago, my children and I spent the night at the Marine Hotel in Ballycastle, which was lovely. However, after checking in to the hotel, we hopped on the Rathin Island Ferry and spent the day on Rathlin Island. This our first time visiting the Island, which is six miles across the Sea of Moyle and it was a day, truly to remember.

Throughout this post, I am going to share with you what you can do on the island. As well as opening times, attractions, must-sees, places to eat, and more.

Taking a trip on the Rathlin Island Ferry

The Rathlin Island Ferry dock is just a short walk from the Marine Hotel in Ballycastle and you have a choice of two ferries. You can take the RE: Rathlin Island Express which takes 30 minutes to cross the Sea of Moyle. Or the SOR {Spirit of Rathlin} Ferry, which allows cars onboard and takes 45 minutes to make the journey. We have taken both ferries and both were lovely to make the journey to and from Rathlin Island.

To make the journey across the Sea of Moyle even more enjoyable, sightings of dolphins and porpoises are likely. Sadly we weren’t lucky enough to spot any when we were there. However, we have our fingers crossed for our next visit to hopefully spot some dolphins. They are known to swim and breach i.e. jump out of the water, alongside your ferry which would be so exciting to see.

It cost me and my 3 children £32 for a return ticket, which I thought was very reasonable. However, here is the Rathlin Island Booking information below as displayed on their website.

Additional Information

• Pre-booking your ferry is mandatory and can be done via email, phone {02820 769 299}, or in-person at the Ferry terminal. The ferry terminal front doors are open at the following times to make your booking in person: 0830hrs – 1230hrs & 1330hrs – 1700hrs. Any email bookings made after 1700hrs, will not be answered until the next day.
• All bookings can be made up to 30 minutes prior to the ferry’s departure.
• You will be asked for your name before boarding the ferry.
• Passengers are boarded onto the ferry 10 minutes prior to departure.
• Face coverings are required to be worn on board for passengers 13yrs+.
• RATHLIN EXPRESS maximum capacity {under current guidelines and restrictions} 20 passengers per sailing.
• SPIRIT OF RATHLIN maximum capacity {under current guidelines and restrictions} 30 passengers per sailing.
• Your booking will only be confirmed once bank details have been given and you will not be charged until the time of your sailing.

Current Sailing times for the Rathlin Ferry

This is the current timetable for the Rathlin ferry and is subject to change. So if I do not update this post on time, then please do always double-check the information on their website before you plan your trip.

Things to see & do on Rathlin Island

There is an abundance of things to see and do on this small island and every inch of it is stunning. I was taken aback by its beauty and on the day we visited, the weather could not have been better.

I did have an itinerary during our visit, which I advise you do yourselves. Unless you are the ‘go with the flow’ kind of people, which I am not!

Attractions/amenities on the island are:

• The Breakwater Studio displays and sells art from an island resident. Souvenirs and gifts are also available to purchase. The studio is open from 1030hrs – 1600hrs.
• The Island Treasures Gift Shop & Post Office is lovely. Loads of gift ideas to remember your time on the island. Postcards, Prints of Rathlin and so much more. You even purchase beach toys if you wanted to have some time on the shore. The Island Treasures shop’s opening hours are: Monday to Friday 11 am – 3 pm and Saturday – Sunday 12 pm – 3 pm. The Post Office’s opening hours are: Monday – Friday 11 am – 3 pm.
• Bicycles can be hired on the island and this reopens on June 2021. Due to COVID regulations, you can ring: 02820 763 954 to book.
• There is a large Children’s playground open for the children to enjoy. And is situated facing the ferry dock and public toilets.
• There is an Island Co-op store that sells all of your general needs. Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm and it is closed on Sundays.

Baby Changing facilities and more…

• There are Baby Changing facilities in three locations on the island. One in the ladies public toilets in Church Bay, in the disabled toilets in McCuaig’s Bar, and in the disabled toilets at the RSPB West Light Seabird Centre.
• RSPB West Light Seabird Centre is a must-see when on the island. The breathtaking bird colonies i.e. Puffins, Kittiwakes, Razorbills, Fulmars, and Guillemots. And they visit the island to breed by the tens of thousands! The cliffs are a must-see between April – July. You can also do some seal spotting from the viewing platforms. Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 10 am – 5 pm. Last entry at 4 pm. Pay on arrival. RSPB members and under 5s are free and Adult entry: £5, Child entry: £2.50.
• Bus services are available on the island. Two private minibus companies run people to and from the RSPB Seabird Centre. They pick you up from the harbour and pick you up from the Seabird centre once per hour. The price is £5 per adult & £3 per child and these are return fees. For more information on the minibus services you can call: Bertie Currie – 07740586898 or Francis McGinn – 07752861788/07759935192.

Eating and drinking on the Island

Sadly, due to current COVID guidelines and restrictions, indoor food or takeaway food is not available on the island. So if you are visiting, you are advised to bring your own food along. Please do not litter and be mindful of that.

However, outdoor drinks are available at McCuaigs Bar. They have set up a handy app called B Express which according to them is very simple to use. Available on both iOs & Android devices. This is handy as under current regulations, are operating a table service only policy. McCuaigs Bar is open from 2 pm every day.

Information for Dogs on the island

There are rules to follow if you choose to bring your dog onto the island. Firstly, they are not allowed on the buses or onto the grounds of the RSPB Seabird Centre. Guide dogs are the only exception. If you walk up to the Seabird Centre, there is a place to tie your dog to outside the centre and the RSPB Seabird staff will even provide your dog with water during your visit.

Dogs are also not allowed onto the Rathlin Kebble Nature Reserve based on the Western end of Rathlin Island.

If you are choosing to bring your dog on the ferry, they must be on a lead at all times. The same rule applies during their visit to the island, as well. This is all due to keeping the local wildlife safe, in particular ground-nesting birds. Seals can usually also be found sunbathing on the rocks around the island too. Lastly, dog owners are expected to bag and bin their dog’s excrement.

I will be sharing in another blog post about our time at the RSPB Seabird Centre as it deserves a full post review. We had a great time. So I will be sure to add the link to this post once it is live so you can hop over for a wee read!

Wildlife & Landscape Photography Workshops 

A Rathlin Resident, known as Tom McDonnell runs Northcoast Nature as the local Wildlife and Landscape Photographer. Tom offers workshops, with opportunities to photograph some stunning seascapes, seabirds, landscapes and more. You might even be one of the lucky ones to capture the very rare Rathlin Golden Hare during your photography workshop session.

Toms photographs are available and sold in the Breakwater Studio and also several outlets in Ballycastle. Tom can be contacted on the following numbers: 02820 760080/0772 308 7668.

Boat excursions

This is a year-round commercial charter service from Rathlin Island. They specialise in wildlife excursions, support vessel roles and access to the Scottish islands. From the beginning of the Summer, they run daily trips to the seabird colonies at the West Lighthouse by the RSPB Seabird centre. Specific charter runs such as pick up and drop-offs at fishing locations and to and from the island are also available.

Here is their pricing guide:

• Bird Colony trip from Rathlin Harbour {1-hour trip} – £10 per person
• Rathlin to Ballycastle return – £15 per person
• Round Rathlin trip from Ballycastle Harbour – £30 per person
• Ballycastle-Port Ellen {Islay} return – £60 per person

Minimum 6 persons per trip {if travelling as a group} otherwise, drop them a bell on 0754 382 6820 for more information.

Pony Trekking

This was such a lovely thing to see available during our visit to Rathlin. Sadly, it was closed when we were there. But it costs £5 per child, each ride lasting around 5-10 minutes. Can you imagine the photos? So worth it and we look forward to giving this a go next time we visit. However, you can call 0752 122 4331 for more information.

Find the Painted Rocks around the Island! 

During our day trip to Rathlin Island, we unexpectantly came across some painted rocks. Which my bunch love to do! Sadly we hadn’t brought any of our own to leave there for others to find. But we will next time we visit!

They are requested on the back of the rocks to be left on the island. But this was such a lovely surprise and the kids really did enjoy finding them and hiding them in other spots for people to come across.

We cannot wait to visit again and leave more beautifully painted rocks for people to find and enjoy.

Go Glamping on Rathlin Island

There are a handful of places to stay on the island. From a B&B, a hostel, a Manor House Guest Inn, Kinmarer Cottage Bunkhouse and even some self-catering apartments. So the choice is vast! However, if you’d like to sleep right near the water, with a view of the sunset? Then check out the Rathlin Island Glamping Pods!

I have never been glamping before, but after spotting these? I want to!

Glamping Pod Information

• There are four fully insulated pods available.
• They accommodate 4 persons per pod.
• Each pod has a double bed, a pull-out day bed, ensuite shower room, heater, electric and USB ports.
• Mini kitchen facilities are sink/washbasin/wash detergent, single ring electric cooking hob, a kettle, a toaster, a microwave and a fridge. Also included are: Pots, pans and other cooking utensils, plates, cutlery & cups. A Wine and a tin opener.
• Each pod costs £80 per night, based on two-person sharing. Minimum 2 night stay at weekends during July & August.

There is a Firepit area in front of each Glamping pod and a firepit starter kit can also be purposed for £15. This includes:

• Firelogs
• Kindling sticks
• Firelighters
• Marshmallows

Disposable BBQs with charcoal can also be purchased for £8 however you must bring your own food.

There is additional information and that can be found over on the Glamping Pods Website.

And that is the end. If you made it this far, well done! As this was an extensive post but I loved every sentence of putting it together. Rathlin Island is honestly one of the most beautiful places we have ever visited. And the fact it is right in our little patch of Northern Ireland makes it truly special.

Be sure to check the Rathlin Community Website for more information before you travel.

I really do hope you found the information within this post helpful! And if you have a day trip here, pop over to any of my socials and tell me all about it!

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