“You can drop anchor in the sanctuary of the bay and go from your deck to the fairway”
Bantry Bay – the ideal superyahct location
A well-known West Cork town is being eyed as the ‘perfect superyacht anchorage’ for the owners of lavish vessels and boat charters.
The busy coastal town of Bantry is at the centre of all things super, as it is presented as the ideal location to dock your superyacht, jump in your helicopter, and golf the day away.
Bantry is a scenic seaside stop along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and offers its own picturesque golf course with coastal views and natural oceanic bunkers. But if that’s not the golfing you’re after, Adare Manor is just a short, scenic transfer – a 90-minute drive or 25 minutes by helicopter!
Representatives of Port of Cork Company (PoCC) are attending Miami’s Seatrade Cruise Global, the cruise industry’s largest gathering, where they are presenting Bantry Bay as an ideal maritime arrival point for superyachts visiting Ireland. Adare Manor in Limerick will also be a popular destination for these premium guests next year, as it will host the 2027 Ryder Cup.
David Browne, PoCC Commercial Manager, said: “Bantry really is Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Secret and a perfect superyacht anchorage for golf enthusiasts seeking unique maritime accommodation and premium offshore experiences. You can drop anchor in the sanctuary of the bay and go from your deck to the fairway in Adare Manor, Limerick, in under 30 minutes by air. The 25-berth marina is located in close vicinity to the town centre and an airfield, to facilitate private transfer by executive helicopter.”
Seamus Heaney, Head of Visit Cork, said: “Premium events such as the Ryder Cup promise a transformative boost to Munster’s regional tourism, channelling visitors from Adare to places like Bantry Bay’s majestic shores and beyond. Visitors who wish to sample West Cork’s mythical Wild Atlantic Way and Cork’s vibrant hospitality can easily extend their stay along the coast.”
The bay has some attractive qualities for these massive boats such as:
- Deep Water anchorage can accommodate superyachts of any size with no restrictions.
- Bantry is sheltered by mountains and offers zero-swell stability on the Atlantic fringe.
- Modern concierge, fuel services and 24/7 security
- Bantry Bay is the longest of the long marine inlets in south- west Ireland.
Bantry is framed by the Caha Mountains and Sheep’s Head Peninsula and offers unrivalled deep-water berthing in a sheltered, tranquil setting. A part of County Cork’s seafaring heritage, the harbour was once the scene of a Napoleonic naval drama and aristocratic regattas and today evokes the golden age of transatlantic voyages.
Visitors can immerse themselves in local culture and art galleries, and taste wild-caught seafood, including the world-famous Bantry Bay Mussels and Oysters. This unique blend of natural drama and understated luxury is putting Bantry Bay on the map as one of the region’s finest maritime entry points for superyachts visiting Ireland’s Munster coast. Island hopping is also possible.
This is not the first sighting of superyachts around Cork’s coast. In 2023, The Scout, an impressive 209ft superyacht built in Holland in 2019, was believed to be worth around €80m and docked at Kinslae for a pint at the Dock pub.
And in 2024, an 81-metre superyacht belonging to Italian billionaire Augusto Perfetti was spotted anchored off Cobh. ‘The Air’, equipped with its own helicopter, had guests shelling out nearly $1m a week to take it for a spin.
