Dublin: Dublin Bay Cruise from Howth to Dun Laoghaire

From Howth’s West Pier, you get a fresh view of Dublin Bay without spending half a day on a boat. The route passes Ireland’s Eye, Howth Cliffs, Baily Lighthouse, Kish Lighthouse, Bull Island, Dalkey Island, and Dun Laoghaire Harbour. It is a sightseeing cruise with a useful purpose: you end up on the other side of the bay.

I like the friendly onboard service and commentary, plus the simple transport plan. Take the DART to Howth, cruise across the bay, then use the DART again from Dun Laoghaire. The main drawback is space. If the sea turns choppy, you may need to sit inside, and outdoor viewing room can feel limited.

Key points to know before booking

• One-way route: The boat runs from Howth to Dun Laoghaire, so your return journey is not by boat.
• Dublin Bay highlights: Look for Ireland’s Eye, Lambay Island, Howth Head, Baily Lighthouse, Kish Lighthouse, Bull Island, and Dalkey Island.
• Useful transport pairing: A DART discount voucher is included for the return journey.
• Relaxed onboard setting: You can buy coffee, wine, drinks, and snacks while listening to commentary.
• Short commitment: The cruise takes about 60 to 70 minutes, making it easy to fit into a day around Dublin.
• Weather matters: Comfortable clothes and shoes help, but you should expect to move indoors if the water is rough.

Why this short Dublin Bay cruise is worth your time

Dublin Bay is best understood from the water. From shore, you see separate pieces: Howth Head in one direction, Dun Laoghaire in another, and the broad curve of the bay between them. On this cruise, those pieces come together in one moving view.

The trip is not a formal sightseeing tour packed with stops. You stay aboard the St Bridget as the shoreline changes around you. That makes the cruise easy to enjoy, but it also means the value depends on what you want. If you want a calm hour of scenery, fresh air, and a practical crossing, the $28 price is reasonable. If you want to step ashore at islands or spend time at each lighthouse, this is not that kind of outing.

I especially like the route because it connects two attractive coastal towns. You can begin in Howth, with its harbour and headland, then finish in Dun Laoghaire, where you can continue your day before taking the DART back. The boat is not just a loop that returns you to where you started. It forms part of a larger Dublin day out.

The trip has earned a 4.3 rating from 44 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on the crew, the scenery, and the fun of seeing Dublin from the bay. The onboard service is described as friendly, with commentary and a bar. That combination gives the hour a social feel rather than making it a silent ferry crossing.

Starting at Howth’s West Pier

Your departure point is the West Pier in Howth, opposite Aqua Restaurant. This is a useful place to begin because you can arrive by DART before sailing. The rail journey lets you avoid arranging a taxi or dealing with city traffic, and the cruise then carries you across the bay.

Howth is the northern starting point, so the first part of the trip gives you the closest views of the headland. You should pay attention as the boat moves away from the pier. The harbour setting gives way to open water, with the coastline becoming easier to understand from an offshore position.

Plan your time carefully around the boat’s departure. The cruise lasts only 60 to 70 minutes, and starting times can vary, so check the available sailing when booking. You will want enough time to reach the pier without rushing, particularly if you are connecting from central Dublin by DART.

The meeting point is straightforward, but you should still follow the directions closely. Departure is from the West Pier, not from the Dun Laoghaire side of the bay. That sounds obvious, but a one-way cruise requires you to get the starting town right.

Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island to the north

Once underway, the route gives you views toward the islands north of Dublin Bay. Ireland’s Eye is the nearer landmark from Howth, while Lambay Island lies farther out to the northeast. Their appearance changes with the boat’s position, so keep watching rather than expecting one single viewing moment.

These island views add variety to the cruise. You are not simply looking at a long stretch of water and distant buildings. The boat gives you a sense of how the bay opens toward the Irish Sea, with islands marking the northern side of the route.

The trip is especially good for people who enjoy watching a familiar place change scale. From land, an island may look like a small shape on the horizon. From the boat, it becomes part of the wider geography of the bay. The commentary can help you follow the sights as they come into view.

There is no island landing included. You pass by Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island, so treat them as scenic points along the route rather than stops.

Passing Howth Cliffs and rounding Howth Head

The coastline becomes more dramatic as you pass Howth Cliffs and round Howth Head. This is one of the most appealing sections because the cliffs are best appreciated from a little distance. From the water, you can see the headland as a broad coastal form rather than only as a walking route or a viewpoint.

Howth Head also gives the cruise its strongest sense of movement. The boat follows the curve of the coast, then turns toward the wider bay. That change in direction helps break up the hour and gives you new angles for photographs.

You will want to stay alert for outdoor viewing here, but do not assume you can remain outside for the whole crossing. One passenger noted that limited space meant spending part of the trip inside when the sea became choppy. That is a fair warning. The boat has indoor space, but the best views may be shared with other passengers.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. This is not a dressy cruise, and practical clothing makes it easier to move between indoor and outdoor areas. A cool breeze can make the bay feel different from the weather at the pier, so a light extra layer is sensible, even though specific clothing requirements are not listed.

Baily Lighthouse and Kish Lighthouse

The route passes two of the bay’s best-known navigation markers, Baily Lighthouse and Kish Lighthouse. Each gives you a clear point of focus while the boat is moving through open water.

Baily Lighthouse is associated with the Howth Head side of the journey. Kish Lighthouse sits farther out in Dublin Bay, and seeing it from the boat helps explain the work of guiding ships through these waters. The cruise does not stop at either lighthouse, so your view is from the vessel as it passes.

This is where the onboard commentary matters. A moving view can be easy to miss, especially when several landmarks appear close together. The commentary gives the journey some structure, helping you know what to watch for instead of simply scanning the horizon.

I would not book this cruise solely for a close-up lighthouse visit. The boat passes the landmarks rather than approaching them for a dedicated photo stop. But as part of a wider coastal route, they make the crossing more interesting and give you memorable reference points.

Bull Island and the wide crossing

After rounding Howth Head, the route continues across the bay with Bull Island in view. The island and its wildlife sanctuary add a different kind of scenery. The northern shore has given way to a wider sweep of water, and the boat’s position lets you see the bay as a connected area.

This section may feel quieter than the cliffs. That is not a flaw, but it does affect expectations. The cruise is strongest when you enjoy the changing views rather than needing a new attraction every few minutes.

You can use this part of the journey to settle in with a drink. Coffee or wine is available to buy, along with onboard drinks and snacks. They are not included in the ticket, so bring that into your spending plan. A drink can make the trip feel like a small social outing, but you should not expect a full meal service.

The bar and commentary also help on a less scenic day. Dublin weather can change quickly, and cloud or wind may reduce the visual drama. The boat still provides a pleasant way to cross the bay, but the atmosphere will depend partly on the conditions.

Dalkey Island and arrival at Dun Laoghaire Harbour

As the boat moves toward the southern side of Dublin Bay, Dalkey Island comes into view. This signals that Dun Laoghaire is approaching and gives you another distinct landmark to watch for.

The final approach into Dun Laoghaire Harbour is a satisfying finish because the crossing ends in a sheltered harbour setting. You get a different view of the coast from the one you had at Howth, and the journey feels like a complete route rather than a short boat ride with no destination.

The activity ends at Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier. The cruise itself is one way only, so you should plan what happens after you step off the boat. The included DART discount voucher is intended to help with the return journey, but the rail ride is not part of the cruise ticket.

That arrangement works well if you want to eat, walk, or spend time around Dun Laoghaire before returning. It also means the cruise can fit into a flexible day. You do not have to hurry straight back to Howth, and you can decide later when to take the train.

What the $28 price really buys you

At $28 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get from one side of Dublin Bay to the other. The DART is the basic transport choice, and it will usually be the better option if your only goal is speed and low cost.

The boat earns its price by turning the crossing into the main event. You get 60 to 70 minutes on the water, views of the headlands and islands, commentary, and the chance to buy a drink onboard. The DART discount voucher adds some practical value, especially if you already planned to connect both coastal towns in one day.

I see the best value for visitors who want a relaxed break from museums, city streets, and indoor sightseeing. It is also a good choice for families because it is suitable for all ages and infants. You do not need to organize separate stops or manage a complicated route once you reach Howth.

The value is less convincing if you dislike boats, want guaranteed outdoor seating, or are hoping for a guided walking tour at each landmark. The crossing is scenic, but it is still a short ferry-style trip. Weather and sea conditions can shape the experience.

Seating, weather, and the onboard atmosphere

The most important practical point is that the boat may feel crowded outside. One account of the trip described limited space and a need to spend part of the sailing indoors when the sea became choppy. That does not make the cruise unsuitable, but it means you should be comfortable with changing your viewing position.

The best approach is to treat indoor seating as part of the plan, not as a backup that ruins the day. You can step outside when conditions are good, then move inside for comfort when the wind picks up. Comfortable shoes make that easier.

The crew receives strong praise for being friendly, and the captain is described as funny and welcoming, although no name is provided. Onboard commentary adds useful context, while the bar gives you a simple way to make the crossing feel more leisurely.

Bring a camera, but do not spend the whole hour looking through it. The boat keeps moving, and the most interesting views may appear briefly as it rounds the headland or enters the harbour. A few photographs are useful, but watching the route unfold is the real point.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Dublin Bay from a different angle and like the idea of linking Howth with Dun Laoghaire. It suits couples, families, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy an easy coastal outing without committing to a full-day tour.

It is also a smart choice if you have already planned to visit Howth. Take the DART out, spend time around the town if you wish, then use the boat to reach Dun Laoghaire. The cruise adds variety to a day that might otherwise involve returning by the same rail line.

Families should find the short duration manageable. Infants are welcome, and the journey is long enough to feel special without becoming an all-day commitment.

I would think twice if you need a completely smooth ride or a large, open deck. Choppy water can send you indoors, and outdoor space may be limited. The trip is weather-sensitive, so your enjoyment will be better on a calm day.

Cancellation is flexible if you need to change plans: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Dublin schedule is still changing.

Should you book the Howth to Dun Laoghaire cruise?

Book it if you want a scenic transport experience, not just a ferry ticket. The route packs several of Dublin Bay’s best coastal sights into about an hour, and the DART discount voucher makes the one-way plan easier to manage.

The main question is your tolerance for weather and shared space. On a calm day, the cliffs, lighthouses, islands, and harbour views should give you plenty to watch. On a rougher day, you may spend more time inside than expected.

For the strongest value, pair it with time in Howth before departure and Dun Laoghaire after arrival. If that sounds like your kind of Dublin day, the $28 fare is a fair price for a memorable crossing with friendly service and useful commentary.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

Departure is from the West Pier in Howth, opposite Aqua Restaurant.

Where does the cruise finish?

The boat arrives at the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire.

How long does the cruise take?

The sailing takes approximately 60 to 70 minutes.

Is the cruise one way or round trip?

It is a one-way sailing from Howth to Dun Laoghaire. A return boat trip is not included.

How can I return to Howth?

You can return by DART rail. A DART discount voucher is included for the return journey.

What sights can I see from the boat?

The route passes Ireland’s Eye, Lambay Island, Howth Cliffs, Howth Head, Baily Lighthouse, Kish Lighthouse, Bull Island, Dalkey Island, and Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

Are drinks and snacks included?

No. Drinks and snacks are not included, but coffee, wine, and other onboard refreshments are available to buy.

Is the cruise suitable for children and infants?

Yes. The activity is suitable for all ages, including families and infants.