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Top boat tours and trips on the water in Ireland
Climb aboard for a fun boat tour in Ireland.
What better way to spend the day than a spell out on the water? Discover the magic of Ireland’s waterways, choosing from cruising, powerboats, ferry transfers and luxurious overnight accommodation.

From short trips to all-day experiences, here are some of the most popular cruises and day trips that can be enjoyed by all the family.

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1Sliabh Liag Boat Tours, Co Donegal

Explore the Sliabh Liag Cliffs, some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, with Sliabh Liag Boat Tours. Get close to the cliffs to appreciate their imposing presence and stay on the lookout for local wildlife such as dolphins, seals, basking sharks and even whales.

Don one of the wetsuits provided and swim in the water of the secluded coves, or you can brave the water without one. The tour lasts about an hour and a half, giving you plenty of time to take in the sights.

People on a boat tour of Sliabh Liag Cliffs in Co Donegal
Soak up views of the imposing Sliabh Liag Cliffs.
2Rose of Innisfree Boat Tour, Co Leitrim

Start your visit to the northwest with a trip on the Rose of Innisfree. Sail around the famous isle and admire beautiful Lough Gill on the Rose of Innisfree Boat Tour. Depart from the 17th century Parkes Castle and take a leisurely cruise across the water all while surrounded by natural beauty steeped in myth and legend.

Treat yourself to the tea, coffee, home baking, snacks or the full bar service available onboard. Your skipper will share the folklore, history and poetry of the area, including W.B. Yeats' poem "The Lake Isle of Innisfree."

Aerial view of the Lake of Inisfree in Co Sligo
Explore the inspiration for one of Yeats' poems with Rose of Innisfree Boat Tours.
3Doolin Ferry – Cliffs of Moher Cruise, Co Clare

Journey along the 6km of stunning coastline from Doolin Pier in County Clare, with daily cruisings from Doolin Ferry. Admire the 214m heights of the Cliffs of Moher as well as the nearby Great Sea Stack (Branaunmore). 

The 67-metre high sea stack sees thousands of rare birds flock to it throughout the year. Between April and mid-July, you can see colourful puffins, so don’t forget your camera to capture a shot of these beautiful birds.

A boat on the water besides towering sea cliffs
Journey along the 6km of Clare's coastline with Doolin Ferry.
4Killaloe River Cruises, Clare

Join Killaloe River Cruises and explore the River Shannon and Lough Derg. Listen along as your guide provides interesting commentary as you gently cruise along the calm, sheltered waterway. Grab a snack at the onboard bar and head to the open deck to deeply appreciate the scenery. 

If you would rather be inside, the lower deck is fully enclosed but just as comfortable. The boat is owner-operated with a very personal service.

People getting ready to go on a Killaloe River Cruises in County Clare
Join Killaloe River Cruises and explore the River Shannon and Lough Derg.
5Corrib Tours on the Corrib Princess, Co Galway

Corrib Tours run daily sailings on The Corrib Princess from Woodquay and the 90-minute journey is a relaxing break from the bustle of nearby Galway city. See the lovely River Corrib as it flows into Ireland’s largest lake with unsurpassed views of the waterway. 

Listen along as your tour guide points out historic castles, local wildlife and more. 

A castle on the shore of River Corrib in Co Galway
Spot historic castles as you cruise down River Corrib.
6Killary Fjord Boat Tours, Co Galway

Take a 90-minute trip on a luxury boat with Killary Fjord Boat Tours for unique views of Ireland's only fjord.

The inlet has some of the finest scenery in the West, and because of its sheltered nature, the waters are always calm. Relax at the café and bar on board while looking out on the water.

Aerial view of a boat cruising in Killary Fjord in Co Galway
Relax on a cruise of Killary Fjord.
7Blacksod Sea Safari, Mayo

Step aboard Blacksod Sea Safari's 33ft passenger boat, The Huntress, and explore the delights of Blacksod Bay in Mayo from the water. There's so much to see, from the impressive Cliffs of Croaghaun to the deserted village on the Inishkea Islands, uninhabited since the 1930s. And between them, there's plenty of marine wildlife to spot along the way, including seal colonies and the birds of Duvilluan.

There's also tours of Blacksod Lighthouse, from which Maureen Sweeney's fateful weather forecast determined the exact timing of the D-Day Landings of June 1944, and dedicated angling trips of the bay, which is home to mackerel, wrasse, ray, monkfish and a host of other fish.

A boat from Black Sod Safari boat tour in the water in County Mayo.

Photo credit: @notionsontour

Experience the sights and waves with Blacksod Sea Safari.
8Kenmare Bay Boat Tours, Kerry

Book in with Kenmare Bay Boat Tours for a wildlife experience aboard a specially designed passenger vessel. The family-run business will guide you along the 55km length of Kerry's Kenmare Bay which is home to a variety of wildlife, including otters, dolphins, foxes and goats. You might even spot a few seals sunbathing on the rocky coast. 

As you cruise through this portion of the Beara Peninsula, keep an eye out for for some of the region's impressive mountain ranges such as the Macgillycuddy Reeks in the north and the Caha Mountains in the south. 

Seals in Kenmare Bay in Co Kerry
Give a wave to the sunbathing seals in Kenmare Bay.
9Cork Sea Safari, Cork

Learn all about the wonderful history and culture of Cork Harbour through exciting tours from Cork Sea Safari. Enjoy the Grand Harbour Adventure with a trip around islands, coves and beaches or book in for the Dolphin Discovery to see bottlenose and common dolphins up close.

Other tours include a day out exploring Kinsale by sea safari and a BBQ experience that makes for a great feast on the water.

Dolphins
Say hello to friendly dolphins on a boat tour with Cork Sea Safari.
10Dublin Bay Cruises, Dublin

Leave the city behind with Dublin Bay Cruises on their 75-minute tour, taking in iconic landmarks like the James Joyce Tower, Martello Tower, and Dalkey Island where you’ll find colonies of grey seals. See the untouched Ireland’s Eye and Howth Head on this chilled experience from an entirely new vantage point. 

The Garrihy family have decades of experience on the sea and are happy to share their expertise of Dublin Bay. Relax with a beverage of your choice, or just sit and gaze at the beautiful views on the bay in the shadow of the Dublin Mountains.

A family disembarking a Dublin Bay Cruise in Co Dublin
Go sightseeing in the capital with Dublin Bay Cruises.
11Athy Boat Tours - The River Barrow Navigation, Kildare

Experience freedom on the water as you float along the River Barrow. Whether you wish to enjoy a picnic on board with a trip to Levitstown or lunch on a riverbank on a day excursion to Maganey, Athy Boat Tours is happy to accommodate.  

As you journey by boat, spot the the diverse flora and fauna that the river showcases before passing through Ardreigh Lock. Capture plenty of photos of the Barrow as the crew share tales of the historic waterway. 

Paddle, surf, cruise and more

Ireland's vast coastline and network of waterways provide the perfect backdrop for an adventure on the water.

More to discover
Coastal escapesExplore Kinsale without a car

With its picturesque harbour, coastal footpaths and wealth of seafood restaurants, Kinsale ticks all the boxes when it comes to seaside towns. Take a walk along the narrow streets and you'll find art galleries, independent boutiques, not to mention some of the very best places to eat in the country. Kinsale is easily reached from Cork city, with regular buses running throughout the day and well into the evening, so you can stick around for a leisurely dinner.

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