From Galway: Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher Tour & Cruise

About This Tour

Most visitors see the Cliffs of Moher from the top looking down. This tour flips that perspective entirely by cruising beneath the cliffs at sea level, where the full 200-metre wall of rock towers above you and the scale becomes almost incomprehensible. Combined with a proper visit to the Aran Islands, it makes for one of the most memorable day trips you can do from Galway.

The morning starts with a ferry crossing to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands and one of the last places in Ireland where Irish is still the everyday language. Life here moves at a different pace. Stone walls crisscross tiny fields, traditional thatched cottages dot the landscape, and the only traffic is the occasional minibus and a steady stream of cyclists. You get three hours on the island, which is enough time to rent a bike and ride out to Dun Aengus, a spectacular prehistoric stone fort balanced on the edge of a 100-metre cliff. The fort dates back over 3,000 years and the views from its ramparts are genuinely breathtaking.

After the island visit, the boat heads south towards the Cliffs of Moher. Seeing these cliffs from the water is a completely different experience to standing on top of them. From below, you can appreciate the layers of sedimentary rock, spot nesting seabirds in the crevices, and feel the raw power of the Atlantic as it smashes into the base of the cliffs. Keep an eye out for puffins, guillemots, and razorbills in the breeding season.

The combination of island culture and dramatic coastal scenery makes this one of the most complete day trips on the west coast.

What’s Included

• Return ferry from Galway to Inis Mor
• Free time on Inis Mor to explore independently
• Cruise beneath the Cliffs of Moher
• All boat transfers

What’s Not Included

• Bike rental on Inis Mor (available locally, approximately EUR10 to EUR15)
• Meals and drinks
• Tips for crew
• Entry to Dun Aengus visitor centre

Good to Know

• Bike rental is available right at the Inis Mor ferry pier and is the best way to cover the island in three hours
• The Cliffs of Moher cruise operates weather permitting, as sea conditions need to be safe for the boat
• Bring a waterproof jacket and layers, as conditions on the water and on the exposed island can be cool even in summer
• If you suffer from seasickness, take precautions before the cruise portion as the Atlantic swell can be significant
• Dun Aengus is a 20-minute bike ride and 10-minute uphill walk from the bike parking area