The verdict
Our pick
Howth Cliffs Boat Tour: Puffins and Seals Viewing★ 4.54 (478) · 50m–1h
Best price
Ireland's Eye and Howth Coastal Boat Tour from Dublin★ 4.34 (203) · 50m
Top rated
Grand Canal Digby Lock Cruise: Historic Barge Tour Kildare★ 4.93 (107) · 2h 30m
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Dublin River Liffey cruise with local guide: 45 minutesA 45-minute sightseeing cruise on the River Liffey in Dublin with a local guide providing live commentary on the landmarks and history you pass. The boat holds up to 22 passengers, is fully wheelchair accessible, and departs from the city center; a guide in English narrates the route, covering the Ha'penny Bridge, the Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship, and the Samuel Beckett Bridge. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and service animals are welcome.Is it for me?If you're arriving in Dublin without a car or staying in the city center, this cruise leaves from the heart of the riverfront and needs no driving — the guide handles the narration, so you just sit and watch the landmarks slide past.
Howth Coastal Boat Tour Dublin: Ireland's Eye & Seals 50 minsYou board a small boat at Howth Harbour and spend 50 minutes circling Ireland's Eye Island and the Howth cliffs, spotting seals, puffins, gannets and other seabirds with a local skipper providing commentary. The boat is intimate — not crowded — and includes Irish music. You return to the harbour with seafood restaurants waiting at the pier, all fees included upfront.Is it for me?Good for anyone in Dublin who wants to see wildlife and coastal scenery without arranging transport or a long day trip — Howth is close enough to reach easily, and the 50-minute boat keeps the whole outing compact while still getting you out on the water with a skipper who knows where the seals are.
Howth Sunset Cruise Dublin: Bay Views & Wildlife SpottingYou board a boat in Howth and spend the evening on Dublin Bay watching seals, seabirds, and the lighthouse as the sun sets. The crew shares stories about the headland and its wildlife while you stand on deck. Includes onboard restroom access and works for all fitness levels, including wheelchair users and families with small children.Is it for me?Book this if you want an evening on the water without arranging your own boat or timing the sunset yourself—the cruise is built around the light, which means you show up and the schedule follows the sky.
Howth Coastal Cruise and Dine: 1-Hour Boat Trip with DinnerThe Howth Coastal Cruise and Dine Experience pairs a 1-hour boat trip along Howth's cliffs with dinner at the Bloody Stream Pub. You'll pass the Baily Lighthouse and Howth Lighthouse, see Ireland's Eye with commentary on its history, then return to shore for a main course and a glass of wine, beer or house spirit. A live English-speaking guide leads the cruise; minimum age is 18. The whole outing runs 2 to 3 hours.Is it for me?Book this if you want the boat and dinner sequenced back-to-back in one booking—the cruise runs first, then you move straight to your table at the Bloody Stream Pub.
Boat Trip from Dun Laoghaire to Howth: Dublin Bay WildlifeA one-way sailing trip from Dun Laoghaire to Howth across Dublin Bay, with a live English-speaking guide pointing out seals, lighthouses, islands and wildlife reserves you cannot see from land. The voyage takes 60–70 minutes and includes WiFi and onboard restroom; arrive 15 minutes early to board.Is it for me?The crossing takes just over an hour, so it fits into a free afternoon or a morning before other plans — you arrive in Howth with the rest of the day open for walking, eating or catching a return boat. If you need a full day trip with multiple stops and a guided tour of Howth itself, book a longer shore excursion instead.
Athy Private Boat Tour: River Barrow cruise with lock passageThis private boat tour departs from Athy and follows the River Barrow downstream to Ardreigh, passing under the Horse Bridge and the Ardreigh Lifting Bridge before entering Ardreigh Lock, where you watch the crew operate the gates. The skipper and crew share local history, heritage and wildlife stories throughout the round-trip cruise. Coffee or tea is included, and the boat is wheelchair accessible with all areas and surfaces accessible to passengers of all mobility levels.Is it for me?This tour suits small groups or families who want to move at a relaxed pace and learn as they go. The fixed route and skipper's narration mean the day is structured without feeling rushed, and the crew's willingness to answer questions makes it work well for anyone curious about the river's history and how it still functions today.
Howth Harbour Walk & Coastal Boat Tour: Private GroupA three-hour guided walking and boat tour of Howth combines a harbour walk through the village's medieval and maritime history with a coastal cruise around Ireland Eye. The local guide leads you through the West and East Piers, past St Mary's Abbey (built by Viking King Sitric in 1042), the Martello Tower, and the cliff paths where W.B. Yeats once lived, then boards a boat for views of seal colonies, puffins, gannets and the rock formations of the offshore islands. The tour is private to your group; infants can ride in a pram and children must be accompanied by an adult.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're traveling as a private group and want to move through Howth's history—from Viking foundations through the 1916 Rising—without splitting between separate walking and boat bookings. The guide's local knowledge and the boat's access to the seal colonies and seabird cliffs make the combination worth the three-hour commitment.
Dublin: Cliffs of Moher, Ailwee Caves & Boat TourYou board a coach at the Molly Malone statue and cross Ireland to explore Ailwee Caves, take a boat tour beneath the Cliffs of Moher, then walk the cliff-top path with views across the Atlantic. The tour includes your guide, transport, cave entry, boat cruise, and cliff-top access, returning you to Dublin by evening.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see three of Ireland's major natural attractions in one day without arranging separate transport, tickets, and timing—the coach and guide handle all of it, and the fixed schedule fits the caves, boat, and cliff walk into a single departure.
Cliffs of Moher Tour from Dublin: Boat Cruise IncludedA full-day guided tour from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher on Ireland's west coast, with a 60-minute boat cruise out into the bay and lunch in the village of Liscannor included. The tour departs at 10:00 from central Dublin and returns by 19:30, with skip-the-line access to the cliffs already paid for. You travel by coach with a live English-speaking guide, and the boat cruise fee of €28 is built into the price.Is it for me?Book this if you're starting from central Dublin and want to see the cliffs both from land and sea in one day—the 10:00 departure gets you back by evening, and the boat departs from Doolin so you experience the full coastal view without backtracking.
Boat Tour Dublin — what to know before booking
This guide compares 12 bookable options for Boat Tour Dublin, with up-to-date prices and real traveler reviews. Prices start at € 20. The average rating is 4.5 out of 5, based on 2,455 traveler reviews.
Most options last up to 2 hours. 12 of the 12 options offer free cancellation. 2 private experiences are also available for closed groups. The verdict at the top highlights the travelers' favorite, the best price and the top-rated option, updated with live data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Boat Tour Dublin cost?
Prices start at € 20. There are 12 options to compare, and the final price depends on the date, group size and the option you choose.
Can I book with free cancellation?
Yes: 12 of the 12 options offer free cancellation, so you can book now and confirm your plans later.
How long do these experiences last?
Most options last up to 2 hours. There are also shorter and longer formats to fit your itinerary.
Which one is the travelers' favorite?
Howth Cliffs Boat Tour: Puffins and Seals Viewing is the travelers' favorite, rated 4.5 out of 5 across 478 reviews.
Are private options available?
Yes, 2 private experiences are available if you prefer a closed group.
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