Howth Cliffs Boat Tour: Puffins and Seals Viewing

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/27

Duration50m–1h

GroupUp to 40

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Watch Howth Cliffs from the water where the puffins and seals actually live

A one-hour boat tour departing Howth Harbour takes you along Howth Cliffs and around Ireland's Eye, a nature reserve in Dublin Bay, with live commentary on bird life, seals and the island's history. The Puffin, Howth's newest ferry, is captained by Mark, whose family has fished and toured these waters for generations. Life jackets are provided; the tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.

50m–1h

Step-by-step itinerary

Howth Cliffs and Lighthouses Boat Tour

Begin tour at Baily Lighthouse
Cruise along Howth Cliffs on Puffin ferry
Enjoy views and commentary of Howth Lighthouse
Circle Ireland’s Eye and observe wildlife

The Experience

The tour starts at the Baily Lighthouse with commentary on its history, then heads out along the Cliffs of Howth. Instead of walking the cliff-top path that thousands of visitors take each summer, you're on the water looking back at the rock formations, the lighthouse and Dublin Bay. The boat is fast enough to cover the route in under an hour but slow enough for the captain to point out bird colonies — puffins, guillemots and grey seals — as you pass. Live commentary ties together what you're seeing: the geology of the cliffs, the animals that live there, and how the landscape has shaped the area.

The second half of the cruise circles Ireland's Eye, a small island that's a nature reserve and sanctuary in the Dublin Bay Biosphere. You get close enough to see the seals and seabirds that live there, and the Martello Tower that stands on the island. The captain covers the island's history, including the famous Kirwan murder case that happened there. On the way back into Howth Harbour, you pass the lighthouse again with a final view as you exit.

Getting to Howth from Dublin City Centre is straightforward — a short DART train or bus ride gets you to the harbour. Life jackets are on board, and the boat is wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and service animals are welcome.

What’s included

Life jackets.
live commentary in English on wildlife, rock formations, lighthouse history and Ireland's Eye.
access to viewing the Baily Lighthouse, Howth Cliffs and Ireland's Eye nature reserve from the water.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Howth Cliff Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Howth Cliffs and the wildlife that lives there without the cliff-top walk — the boat gets you close to puffins, seals and guillemots, and the captain's local knowledge ties the landscape together as you go.