Looming offshore, Bere Island makes Castletownbere seem like the big city. Only 12km by 7km, it has a couple of hundred permanent residents, and attracts scores more to summer holiday homes. There are bits of old ruins and some craggy coves good for swimming. Bere Island Ferry leaves from town but drops you in a remote part of the island. Alternatively, Murphy's Ferry Service , departing from Pontoon pier, 5km east of Castletownbere, docks by the island's main village, Rerrin , which has a shop, a pub, a cafe and accommodation.
