Dublin: Howth Coastal Boat Tour

About This Tour

Howth is only 30 minutes from Dublin city centre by DART train, but it feels like a different world - a working fishing village perched on a rocky peninsula with dramatic cliff walks and a harbour full of trawlers. This boat tour takes you out on the water for 50 minutes, cruising along the base of the Howth Head cliffs and circling Ireland’s Eye, the uninhabited island that sits just offshore.

The views from the water are spectacular. Your skipper hugs the coastline, pointing out sea caves, the Baily Lighthouse, and the towering rock formation known as “the Stack” at the northeastern corner of Ireland’s Eye - a massive freestanding pillar of rock that is home to one of Dublin Bay’s largest seabird colonies. Depending on the season, you may spot puffins, gannets, guillemots, razorbills, and cormorants nesting on the cliffs. Grey seals are regular visitors too, often lounging on the rocks below the island.

The boat is small enough to get close to the cliffs and explore the nooks and crannies along the shoreline that you would never see from land. Your skipper provides live commentary with local knowledge and insider stories about the area. The whole experience wraps up back at Howth harbour, where the fish restaurants and seafood stalls along the pier make for the perfect follow-up to your time on the water.

What’s Included

• 50-minute guided boat tour along Howth Head and Ireland’s Eye
• Local skipper with live commentary
• Life jackets and safety equipment

What’s Not Included

• Transport to and from Howth (DART train from Dublin takes 30 minutes)
• Food and drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

Good to Know

• The boat departs from Howth harbour. Allow time to find the departure point - look for the boat tour signs along the West Pier.
• Dress in warm, windproof layers even in summer. It is always cooler on the water than on land.
• The tour runs weather-dependent. In rough seas the operator may adjust the route or reschedule. Free cancellation means you are covered.
• Combine this with the Howth Cliff Walk (a 6 km loop from the village) and a seafood lunch on the pier for a perfect half-day out of Dublin.
• Puffin season runs from late April to mid-July. Seals and gannets are visible year-round.