Things for Families Near Waterville, Kerry
Families do well around Waterville if they plan for the weather and treat the sea with respect. The beaches face the open Atlantic, so the good days out here are a mix of indoor stops, gardens and short drives. Costs are in euro.
Sea safety first
Waterville Strand and Inny Strand are open Atlantic beaches with strong swell, and experienced surfers use them. Do not count on a lifeguard at either one, and keep children out of the water unless a lifeguard flag is flying. Derrynane Beach has a marked no-swim section with strong currents.
For paddling and swimming, the better choice is a supervised beach in season. Ballinskelligs holds a 2026 Blue Flag, while Waterville has a Green Coast Award rather than a Blue Flag. Kerry County Council lifeguards cover supervised beaches at weekends in June and early September and daily in July and August, and the bathing season ends on 15 September.
When it rains
Sea Synergy Marine Awareness and Activity Centre in the village has a touch pool, shore workshops and snorkelling with a marine biologist. Hours follow the season, so check before you head over.
Tech Amergin Community Arts and Education Centre shows an exhibition on the Waterville cable station, and the Waterville Heritage Trail starts from the same part of the village.
A garden with a rope bridge
Kells Bay House and Gardens is about 40 km from Waterville, a drive of roughly 45 minutes. It opens daily from 9:30 to 18:00 all year, with last entry at 17:00, and tickets are bought online. Adults pay €9.50, children €7.50, and a family ticket covering two adults and up to three children aged up to 16 costs €30.
Children usually go straight for the life-size dinosaur sculptures. The SkyWalk rope bridge is about 33.5 m long and hangs about 11 m above the Delligeenagh River.
Fairy houses at Derrynane
The Fairy Trail at Derrynane has about two dozen fairy houses to find. Ask for the leaflet at the café. Derrynane House is open from 13 March to 1 November 2026, and a family ticket is €13, or €3 for a child. The house reopens in mid March 2027.
The Abbey Island path is tidal and has unprotected cliff edges on its south side, so it is not suitable for small children.
A chocolate stop
Skelligs Chocolate Company at St Finian’s Bay lets visitors watch the chocolate being made and taste it for free. Opening days vary, so check before driving out. Pair it with the viewpoints on the Skellig Ring.
On the water
Children under 12 cannot land on Skellig Michael because of its 618 steep steps. They can join a cruise around the islands, which takes about 2.5 hours and starts from about €42 with Skellig Experience or about €60 with Casey’s. The cruise passes Little Skellig, where gannets nest. Boats leave from Portmagee, Glen Pier, Ballinskelligs or Derrynane, and bad weather often cancels sailings, so keep a spare day.
Tips for parents
- Pack waterproofs and spare clothes for every outing.
- Keep children off the N70 verges, because it is a busy main road.
- Book cruises well ahead in summer.
Read more: day trips from Waterville and romantic breaks for the grown-ups. For wider trip planning, see the Ireland six day itinerary .
Garden tickets are sold on the Kells Bay Gardens site, and Derrynane House lists hours and prices. Search Skellig cruises on GetYourGuide .