Slieve League cliffs cruise from Killybegs: 1,972-foot sea cliffs

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/11

Duration2h

GroupUp to 96

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

The cliffs rise 1,972 feet straight out of the water, close enough to see the caves and waterfalls carved into them.

A 2-hour guided boat cruise from Killybegs harbour in County Donegal takes you to the base of Slieve League, Europe's highest accessible sea cliffs, where you pass Rotten Island and St John's Point lighthouses, Fintra Beach, and the Giant's Desk and Chair rock formations before circling the cliff face itself. Life jackets are supplied and the guide speaks English. Donegal Bay's waters are rich with marine life—dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks and tuna are regularly spotted in summer months.

Step-by-step itinerary

Slieve League cliffs cruise from Killybegs

Depart from Killybegs harbour
Pass Rotten Island lighthouse
View St John's Point lighthouse
Cruise along Donegal coast past Drumanoo Head
See Fintra Beach and Muckross Head
Pass Teelin Bay and Carrigan Head
View Giant's Desk and Chair
Approach Slieve League cliffs and see caves and waterfalls
Return via Donegal Bay viewing Ballyshannon, Bundoran, Benbulbin, and Mayo coast
Spot marine wildlife in Donegal Bay

The Experience

The boat leaves Killybegs harbour and immediately you're met with Rotten Island lighthouse, built in 1838 and still guiding vessels in and out of the port. From there the route runs west along the rugged Donegal coast, passing St John's Point lighthouse (1831, now guest accommodation), Drumanoo Head, and Fintra Beach with its Blue Flag status. Each landmark tells the shape of the coastline—centuries of Atlantic storms have carved the cliffs and headlands you're moving past.

After Muckross Head, Teelin Bay and Carrigan Head (with its Napoleonic tower overhead), the Slieve League cliffs come into view. As the boat travels close to the rock face, you see the Giant's Desk and Chair—two rock formations sitting in the bay—and then the cliffs themselves, rising 1,972 feet from the water. At this distance you can make out the caves and waterfalls that cascade down the rock. The return journey opens up the wider bay: you'll see the table-shaped mountain of Benbulbin in Sligo to the south, the towns of Ballyshannon and Bundoran, and the Mayo coast beyond.

Donegal Bay is one of the richest waters in the world. Summer months bring regular sightings of dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks and tuna. Life jackets are supplied for the cruise, and the guide narrates in English throughout the 2-hour tour. Parking is free in the car park beside the Ahoy Cafe, directly opposite where the boat is moored. If weather makes the cruise unsafe, the operator will contact you to reschedule or issue a full refund.

What’s included

Life jackets supplied.
2-hour guided boat tour with live English-speaking guide.
access to the base of the cliffs and views of caves, waterfalls, lighthouses and rock formations along the Donegal coast.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Ireland Wild Escapes

Is this one for you?You stay seated on the boat throughout—choose this if you want to see the cliffs and caves from the water rather than hiking coastal paths to viewpoints.