[2] Dominating the northern skyline is Doulus Head and Killelan mountain, with Valentia island to the south and Ballycarbery to the east.

On the northern edge of the island is a series of columnar basalt cliffs which have a hexagonal shape formed in a similar manner to the famous Giant's Causeway.

A Viking settlement was occupied between the 9th and 12th centuries,[3] which consisted of a group of 8 houses, 15 cairns with a network of small fields enclosed by low stone walls and numerous middens.

Occupying the highest point on the western end of the island is a block hut known locally as "Pilots lookout".

Beginish is host to a seal colony located in a cove on the southern part of the island named Casey's landing, and has abundant bird and sea life.