Galway: Cliffs of Moher Cruise & Aran Islands Day Trip
One Loop, Four Landscapes: Cliffs, Islands & Coast in a Single Day from Galway
You're picked up from your Galway hotel and driven to Doolin Pier, where you board a boat that takes you directly under the Cliffs of Moher. From there, a ferry carries you to Inis Oirr island for a few hours of walking and exploring O'Brien's Castle. After the return ferry, you drive the Wild Atlantic Way back to Galway, seeing a completely different coastline on the way home. The whole loop takes a day, includes transport and guide, and you never drive the same road twice.
Step-by-step itinerary
Cliffs cruise and Aran Islands tour
- Arrive at Doolin Pier
- Cruise under Cliffs of Moher
- Visit Inis Oirr island
- See O'Brien's Castle ruins
- Optional horse and cart ride
- Ferry back to mainland
- Drive Wild Atlantic Way to Galway
What’s included
- Your day includes hotel pickup (with 24-hour advance notice), an air-conditioned vehicle with a local guide, ferry crossings to and from Inis Oirr, and a boat cruise under the Cliffs of Moher.
- You'll also drive the Wild Atlantic Way coastal route back to Galway.
- Meals, entry fees, and the optional horse-cart ride to the Plassey Shipwreck are not included.
Times
Next departure: 6 Mar 2027
Before you book
Operated by Lally Tours
Prices and times updated yesterday
Traveler reviews
The experience
"You won't see the same thing twice," the guide said as we pulled out of Galway that morning, and she meant it literally. The route loops, so every hour you're in a different part of the west of Ireland. First stop is Doolin Pier, where you board a boat to cruise under the Cliffs of Moher from the water. That perspective (looking up at 700-foot rock faces from sea level) changes how the cliffs feel. It's not a postcard view. It's a scale thing.
After the cruise, you take the ferry across to Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands. The island has O'Brien's Castle ruins you can walk to, and if you want to pay extra, there's a horse-and-cart ride out to the Plassey Shipwreck. Most people spend a couple of hours here just walking, taking in the stone walls and the quiet. Then the ferry brings you back to the mainland, and that's when the drive starts. The Wild Atlantic Way from Rossaveal back to Galway is genuinely one of the finest coastal drives in Ireland, not because it's famous, but because you're actually on the edge of it, not looking at it from a distance.
The whole day is looped, which means you're not retracing your steps. You leave Galway heading south toward Doolin, take the boat and island, then return via a completely different coastal route. Small groups only, air-conditioned vehicle, and your hotel pickup is included if you contact the operator at least 24 hours ahead. Fair warning: the ferry crossings and the Cliffs cruise are both weather-dependent, so the exact route can shift. On rare days, the itinerary changes without notice. That's not a flaw. It's just how it works on the west coast.
Is this one for you?Best for travelers based in Galway who want to see the Cliffs of Moher, an Aran Island, and the Wild Atlantic Way in one day without arranging separate transport, ferries, or timing: the looped route and included guide handle all the logistics and navigation.
Compare the 5 alternatives
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How long is the full day trip?
The itinerary spans a full day, though exact duration depends on ferry and cruise schedules, which are weather-dependent.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, but you must contact the tour operator at least 24 hours in advance to request it.
What if the weather is bad?
The ferry crossings and Cliffs cruise are weather-dependent. If conditions change, the route and timings may be altered or the tour may be rescheduled. You'll be offered an alternative or full refund if the tour is cancelled.
Can I visit the Plassey Shipwreck on Inis Oirr?
Yes, but the horse-and-cart ride to the shipwreck is an optional extra and costs are not included in the tour price.
What's included in the tour?
Hotel pickup, local guide, air-conditioned vehicle, ferry crossings, and the Cliffs of Moher boat cruise. Entry fees and meals are not mentioned as included.
Is this suitable for people with limited fitness?
You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended for the island and coastal walks.
What if there aren't enough passengers?
Minimum numbers apply. If the group is too small after confirmation, the tour may be cancelled and you'll be offered an alternative date or full refund.
Galway: Cliffs of Moher Cruise & Aran Islands Day Trip
8h 45m · EN
from € 120 per person
≈ US$ 138 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.