15 Boat Tours in Dublin That Repay the Fare

1.River Liffey Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,473 reviews · from $23Our pick

Join Dublin Discovered for a 45-minute, all-weather cruise from Custom House Quay. A live English-speaking guide covers Vikings, bridges, canals, Docklands, and Dublin Port, with guides such as Gerry, Jerry, Tony, Peter, and Lucy leading different sailings. The 48-passenger boat is wheelchair accessible and returns to its starting point.

“Lucy the guide was great. She was clear and interesting, gave us plenty of information but didn't overload us. The Captain was really friendly too.”

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2.Dublin Sightseeing Cruise on River Liffey with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 927 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $27

See Dublin from the River Liffey on a 45-minute cruise with live English commentary. You’ll pass the Jeanie Johnston, Samuel Beckett Bridge, Ha’penny Bridge, and Docklands while hearing stories about Dublin’s past and changing city center. Guides such as Jerry, Terry, and Dave have been praised for humor and warmth, though weather can affect the view.

“Excellent experience loved Gerry and Terry for our tour. It was our introduction to Dublin and Ireland. So enjoyable.”

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3.Howth Coastal Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 644 reviews · from $28

Take a 50-minute boat trip from Howth’s West Pier around Ireland’s Eye. Your English-speaking skipper, including guides such as Harry, Kim, Maggie, and others, points out cliffs, caves, seabirds, seals, and the Stack while sharing local history. Small groups make this a personal way to see Dublin Bay.

“This was such a wonderful tour! Beautiful views, relaxing boat ride, even saw some seals! a must-do when visiting Howth!”

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4.Howth Cliffs and Lighthouse Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 441 reviews · from $28

Meet at Howth’s West Pier for a 50-minute coastal cruise with an English-speaking captain and live commentary. You’ll see Howth Cliffs, Balscadden Bay, Howth Lighthouse, Ireland’s Eye, seabirds, and possibly seals, puffins, or dolphins. The route may change in rough seas, and the cruise returns to the pier.

“the guide was super friendly and gave a lot of good information throughout the ride. he even let us drive the boat for a minute! getting to the meeting spot was very easy and the staff was incredibly helpful. 10/10 recommend!”

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5.Howth Cliffs and Ireland’s Eye Ferry Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 365 reviews · 50 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) · from $24

Board the Puffin at Howth Harbour for a small-group cruise past Baily Lighthouse, the Howth Cliffs, and Ireland’s Eye. Captain Mark and his crew provide commentary on birds, rock formations, seals, island history, and the Kirwan murder. The boat has a toilet but no indoor cabin, so bring a warm, waterproof layer.

“Great boat tour around the Howth Harbour and Ireland's Eye. The wildlife was breathtaking, and the scenery was just incredible!”

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6.Boat Trip from Dublin City to Dun Laoghaire

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 344 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $33

Sail from Sir John Rogerson’s Quay through Dublin Port and Docklands to Dun Laoghaire in about 60 to 70 minutes. See the Convention Center, EastLink Bridge, Poolbeg Lighthouse, and the East Pier. An onboard bar, restroom, WiFi, open deck, and covered seating make this a pleasant one-way outing, weather permitting.

“It was great to have a guide on the boat to share information about what we were seeing. Being on the water and seeing the coastline was a great way to start our trip to Dun Laoghaire The young guide was interesting, fun and well informed. We would do this again, so we highly recommend this activity n”

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7.Howth Coast and Ireland’s Eye Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 301 reviews · from $27

Set out from Howth Harbour with the crew of Howth Cliff Cruises for a 45-minute boat trip around Ireland’s Eye. Expect views of the Martello Tower, Howth Cliffs, Balscadden Bay, seals, seabirds, and Dublin Bay, with English commentary from the captain or an onboard audio guide. Landing on the island is not included.

“It was a brilliant way to see the wildlife and we got to see puffins! I would thoroughly recommend this to everybody”

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8.Howth Coastal Boat Tour (Ireland’s Eye Ferries 50 mins trip)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 200 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $30Top rated

Set out from Howth Harbour with a small group of up to 11 people for a one-hour cruise along the cliffs and around Ireland’s Eye. Your skipper, possibly Harry, Maggie, Shane, or Lily, points out seals, seabirds, island history, and marine habitats. Expect a lively ride, local music, and the chance of spray in rough weather.

“Very accommodating when travel delays had me miss my initial booking and let me get onto the next available tour with no hassle!”

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9.Sunset Cruise in Howth

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 149 reviews · from $30

Join an English-speaking captain at Howth’s West Pier for a sunset cruise around Dublin Bay. You’ll see Howth Harbour, the cliffs, and Ireland’s Eye from the water while hearing stories about local wildlife and island history. Captains such as Ollie and George have earned praise for their friendly, helpful approach.

“The boat trip was brilliant, and we saw puffins, seals and many sea birds in their natural habitat. We were also really lucky with the weather. I can highly recommend this trip - an excellent way to see Howth and the area from a unique perspective. Even the Dart trip out to Howth was great”

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10.Grand Canal Cruise with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 143 reviews · from $79

Board an electric barge at Mespil Road for a two-hour dinner cruise along Dublin’s Grand Canal. You’ll enjoy a freshly prepared 3-course meal, a glass of house wine or beer, and access to a full bar. The route includes canal locks and returns to the starting jetty.

“Staff on board were excellent and very attentive. Food was top class. We will return.”

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11.Dublin Bay Cruise from Dun Laoghaire to Howth

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 139 reviews · from $32

Board the St Bridget at Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier for a 60 to 70-minute cruise across Dublin Bay to Howth. Look for seals near the harbor, watch for Ireland’s Eye and Dalkey Island, and listen for onboard stories. A DART discount helps with the return trip.

“Lovely smooth sailing very safe and very friendly staff, will go again”

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12.Dublin Bay: Cruise from the City Centre to Dun Laoghaire

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 139 reviews · from $32

Sail for about an hour from Sir John Rogerson’s Quay to Dun Laoghaire on a 96-passenger boat with indoor heating, upper and lower viewing decks, and live commentary. You’ll pass the East Link Bridge, Poolbeg Lighthouse, Bull Island, Joyce’s Martello Tower, and Dublin’s harbourfront. The $32 ticket is one way, with a DART concession for the return.

“My partner and i enjoyed the cruise immensely. Would recommend it. Hope to do it nxt year.”

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13.Cruise Excursion Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Rail Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 101 reviews · from $36

Start at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, collect your return rail ticket, and ride to Pearse Station in about 20 minutes. Your 24-hour DoDublin ticket then covers live-guided buses around Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Guinness Storehouse, Phoenix Park, and more. Guides such as Damien, Mary, Davey, and Tyrone add local stories and humor.

“Great narration and got to see several places. It did not feel like 9 hours.”

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14.Ferry from Howth to Ireland’s Eye island

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 83 reviews · from $27

Take a 15 to 20 minute ferry from Howth Harbour to Ireland’s Eye, a protected bird sanctuary with puffins, cormorants, gannets, and a Martello tower. You get about an hour to walk, picnic, or swim before returning by boat. Landing depends on weather and involves steep rock steps.

“i absolutely loved the trip to Ireland's eye! the guides are so kind and the island offers beautiful scenery”

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15.Digby Lock Cruise – Explore Ireland’s Historic Grand Canal.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

You’ll spend about 2.5 hours aboard a small canal boat from Sallins, passing beneath and over historic waterways near the Leinster Aquaduct and Digby Bridge. The skipper shares stories of navvies, towpath horses, Digby Lock, and Leonardo da Vinci. Expect up to 12 people, an onboard bar, and a calm return to the starting point.

“Our trip was canceled at 5:30 the night before but Viator kept sending us confirmation of our booked trip. It was confusing to know whether or not our trip is on. We reached out to the host that morning at 10 AM and never heard back. Whether it was an error on their end or on Viator‘s end I found the whole experience disappointing as we traveled 30 minutes to get there. On a positive note. There’s a bike shop right near the canal and we were able to rent bikes and travel along the distance. It was beautiful and I would highly recommend that!”

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