A two-hour tour around 10 of Carbery's Hundred Isles is west Cork's newest tourist attraction, yet in a traditional style.
Passengers travel through a designated area of special conservation in Roaringwater Bay aboard the MV Mystic Waters, a beamy, spacious ferry boat, which caters for up to 100 passengers.
There's spectacular scenery travelling around this necklace of low-lying southerly islands, each with its own distinctive charm.
Shadows and sunshine change the colours of landscape and waters in a ripple, one moment a metallic silver, next a Mediterranean turquoise blue.
Roseleen O'Driscoll's commentary explains past and more topical history, and gives an insight into the geological changes through the centuries. Resident wildlife within Roaringwater Bay includes otters and grey seals, and one might just catch a glimpse of a porpoise or dolphin.
Visitors can view the changing colour of actor Jeremy Irons's Kilcoe Castle, once a controversial vivid orange, now softened to a mellow yellow.
There's Sandy Island, with no sand. Heir Island, meaning O'Driscoll's Island, has sandy beaches, a sailing school and a population of about 20. Low-lying Long Island, with its Copper Point Lighthouse, a population of 10, sits at the mouth of Schull harbour. Oileán Cléire is the largest and hilliest of these islands.
According to Ms O'Driscoll, Sherkin Island has it all, with a Franciscan Friary and the ruins of an O'Driscoll Clan Castle dating back to the 14th century. Today's residents include artists, writers and sculptors.
The island has hosted a course in fine art in recent years.
Sherkin has diverse flora and fauna, intriguing rock formations and safe, sandy beaches.
Other island names to conjure with are Spanish Island, Quarantine Island, The Catalogues, meaning little balls of yarn or rags, The Skeams, Horse Island, Castle Island, Carthy's Islands, The Calf Islands . . . and suddenly you realise you have viewed more than 10. But this is west Cork, with a timescale and a lifestyle all of its own.
Light refreshments are served by Vincent and Roseleen's daughter, Áine (10), while their son, Patrick (6), hands out the ferry brochure. If you're very lucky you might meet up with Timmy, the dog (4).
The two-hour ferry tour in Roaringwater Bay leaves Baltimore pier each day at 2.30pm and costs €20.