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If you are looking to escape the mainland madness, then where better to go than Long Island. Come and pitch your tent overlooking the Wild Atlantic Ocean and be dissolved by its beauty and majestic power. The emphasis is on freedom, spontaneity, and the unexpected. Watch the early sunrise and enjoy the uninterrupted south-facing views overlooking the other islands. Your inner child will love exploring the many private coves, if not occupied by the basking seals and all the island adventures. Whether you are looking for some quality time out, solitude, seeking new adventures, or looking for inspiration, this is the place to come. The roar of the ocean will make you forget, while the crashing waves will help you remember as you lose yourself in the wonderment of this earthly planet.
Long Island has a hidden gem here.. the Castaway East ….it is a micro camping site with wonderful welcome from Peter and Tracy. It’s an experience that is unique and genuine … you feel like an island castaway, but you are surrounded by the kindness and thoughtfulness of your host and hostess. We really enjoyed the home cooked dinner in the restored fisherman’s cottage where every corner carried the stamp of days gone by. Thank you Peter and Tracy.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This place is a piece of magic. Get ready to disconnect from busy life and reconnect with nature and each other. It’s a stunning place - note it’s best suited to adults in our opinion. The food is absolutely gorgeous and the welcome and care we received here was top class. Thank you so much we can’t wait to return.
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a wonderful place. I wasn't sure what to expect, but knew it was exactly where I needed to be to rewind, retreat and find the me-time I desperately sought. And I was correct, except it was even nicer than I could have expected. The couple running the little mini campsite have put a lot of thought and effort into the place, and enriching the island touristically - literally there isn't much else. If you're not staying at the campsite, visiting for the beautifully prepared homemade food is a must. My little dog was entirely enchanted at the place, I'm not sure I've ever seen him happier. Running through the little fern-maze to our stunning little private tent-spot directly at the coast was such a delight for him, and certainly would be for any young or young-at-heart human as well. It makes such a difference that they limit the amount of tents/guests, as the paths aren't muddy but there's still grass everywhere - you can walk barefoot to the very comfortable and beautifully decorated composting toilet! They also have a shelter set up, so if it rains, you won't be stuck in your tent, this made all the difference for me.
I didn't miss anything here. Tracy and Peter created a magical place and anyone will feel lucky that they share it with us. It is very obvious that they do what they do with all their heart. Thank you for having us, we will most defintiely be back!
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Date of stay: June 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Without doubt this is one of those places you need to be a certain type of person to get. If you get it you’ll love it, if you don’t you won’t. Swipe left and move on.
First off, it’s on Long Island which is a 5 minute ferry trip from Colla Pier near Schull in West Cork. Long Island has no shops, no pubs, no visitor centres, no purpose built interactive experiences and you can’t take your car there. That’s 90% of people turned off already but if you get it, that fact is a positive.
What you do have on Long Island is a different type of entertainment. Tides, waves, passing boats, sea gulls, seals, Flora and Fauna, cliffs, coves, shells, clouds, weather, fresh air , a light pollution free night sky and thankfully, Castaway East camping !
This gorgeous campsite rather than taking from the natural habitat in which it is sited actually sympathetically adds to it.
You’ll have a 15 minute walk from the ferry along a quiet boreen and arrive at an old restored cottage welcomed by hand painted signs on recycled driftwood. The cute cottage is surrounded by quirky seating areas where day trippers and guests can sit and enjoy tasty homemade treats, but more of that later. The beautiful back garden with its various fruit trees is decorated with more treasures from the sea. From here you have views South out to the Atlantic. A path takes you seawards to what initially seems to be a field of ferns. As you amble on magically more paths appear here and there which lead to cleverly cut out areas in the ferns. These are the pitches for tents, a picnic area and the toilet area. The pitches are very well spread apart and all have their own wooden seating and fire-pits. The nights I spent there I could neither see nor hear the other campers. Some pitches are closer to the sea edge and offer uninterrupted views of the sea below and the other islands in Roaringwater bay.
Sounds idyllic and it is, for some. Be warned, there are no showers, no campers kitchens, no Wi-Fi, no tv room, games room, or electric hook up. There is fresh water from their own well and a compost toilet, which to be fair is cleaner and smells better than most flush toilets in other campsites. Again, if you get it you get it, if you don’t you don’t.
The owners purposely cap the numbers staying meaning the whole experience is one of quiet serenity, privacy and solitude if you want it. What a refreshing change from sites that will pack campers in like sardines. It reflects on the ethos of the owners. This is more a labour of love than a business.
Pete and Tracy are wonderful hosts. Happy, interesting and engaging, they are willing to chat about anything but they’re never intrusive. They’re happy to be there for you but have the lovely ability to let you have your own space. They grow all their own veg, herbs and fruit on site which they, or rather Tracy, turns into mouth- watering treats. These you can buy onsite. They also can provide breakfast packs and picnic baskets. All their produce is home grown and organic.
I would say Castaway camping would suit families with an adventurous spirit but not with very small children. Paths lead from the site along the coast which is exposed in places so not suitable for children who need constant supervision.
For me, someone who likes peace and quiet this was a slice of heaven, perfect in every way. I could not have been happier during my stay. But again, it’s not for everyone. It would suit those interested in nature, wild campers, those with an interest in alternative life styles, those looking to relax and meditate. Oh and hermits! Hermits need to go on holidays too!
Castaway camping is for you if you find happiness in looking at the night sky, watching the various lighthouses, buoys and beacons wink at each across stretches of ocean, the twinkling of lights on Cape Clear Island across the bay, listening to the music of the sea, the lapping waves, the seagulls, feeling the salt wind on your cheek and feeling your spirits lift as your lungs fill with the freshest of Atlantic air. Now that’s entertainment.
Oh and there’s no midgies .
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Date of stay: July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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LOCATION
IrelandProvince of MunsterCounty CorkSchull
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