Do you have a wannabe pirate or a budding sailor at home? We’ve rounded up some of the best boat-themed days out around Ireland.
Whether it’s a whale watching cruise, a river tour or a family ferry crossing, taking to the water is a brilliant way to spend a day together — and there’s plenty here for the whole family to enjoy.
Fun Days Out and Boat Tours in Ireland
Get ready to set sail! For a fun, educational day out, a boat tour, cruise or ferry ride is hard to beat.
Boat tours around Ireland let you discover the country’s coastline and waterways up close — and give you a real chance of spotting wildlife such as dolphins, whales, sharks, puffins and seals along the way.
Ballycotton Island Lighthouse Tours, Cork
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Ballycotton Lighthouse sits beautifully in the skyline just over the seaside town of Ballycotton, and makes a great activity or day out for all the family in Cork.
Passengers travel out in an open-topped boat, visit the Ballycotton Island summit and get the chance to explore the lighthouse. Tours run daily and last approximately 90 minutes round trip.
Seafari, Kenmare
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Seafari Cruises are a great way to explore the wildlife of Kenmare Bay. You head out onto the bay in a comfortable, sheltered passenger vessel to one of the largest seal colonies in Ireland — keep an eye out for Kathleen, a distinctive seal with a red coat, said locally to be a selkie (a seal who was once human, according to legend).
You may also spot otters, white-tailed sea eagles and other sea-birds along the way. Humour and fun are very much part of a Seafari cruise, and while the boat is rarely rocked by waves in these calm waters, it’s often rocked by laughter. Tea, coffee, squash and biscuits are offered on board for all the family.
Blasket Islands Eco Marine Tour, Kerry
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The Eco Marine Tour specialises in whale watching, dolphin and bird watching trips on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry.
The tour regularly encounters porpoises, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and minke whales. Orcas (killer whales) are occasionally seen passing through, and humpback and fin whales tend to show up in these waters in late summer and autumn. You may also spot the world’s second-largest fish, the giant basking shark, as you travel below the breathtaking cliffs at Slea Head Drive and the towering Cathedral Rocks of Inis na Bró.
The Great Blasket Island and its smaller neighbour Beginish are also home to a colony of around 700 curious grey seals, who often come close to the boat.
Cork Whale Watch
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When it comes to unique wildlife encounters, there are few things as breathtaking and humbling as coming face to face with the world’s largest creatures.
You’ll find some of the best whale watching in the North Atlantic aboard the Holly Jo with Cork Whale Watch. West Cork, on Ireland’s south coast, attracts minke whales, fin whales and humpback whales to feed in its rich waters every year.
Trips are suitable for families with young children, but they run a minimum of four hours, so bear in mind there’s no turning back to port early if little ones get restless, and there are no nappy-changing facilities on board. Cork Whale Watch advise that trips may not be suitable for children under 5, especially outside the spring and summer months.
Ferry from Kerry to Clare
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Catch the ferry from Killimer in Kerry to Tarbert in Clare — a 20-minute crossing over the estuary linking the Kingdom of Kerry to the Banner County of Clare. Ferries run regularly throughout the day, with extra sailings added during the summer months.
You’ll enjoy views of the majestic Shannon Estuary, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of dolphins, which in summer sometimes swim close to the ferry. The captain will usually announce if dolphins are spotted, so keep an ear out and your eyes peeled!
Ferry on the Irish Sea
Why not bring your sailor on a trip across the Irish Sea to Fishguard or Holyhead for the day, or for a mini break? On board, there’s lots to keep kids busy during the journey — eating, drinking, playing and exploring.
Top tip: Sign up to the Stena Line and Irish Ferries newsletters, as they regularly run sales on foot passenger tickets, making a family crossing surprisingly affordable.
Dublin Bay Cruises
View the stunning landscapes of the Dublin Mountains, Ireland’s Eye, Lambay Island, Dalkey Island, Joyce’s Martello Tower, the Baily Lighthouse and more from on board.
Dublin Bay Cruises typically operate between Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire and Howth across the spring and summer season.
Top tip: Keep an eye on their Facebook page, as they regularly run special family offers.
Liffey River Cruises
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The bright red, glass-roofed tour boat “Spirit of Docklands” operates between the city centre and the Docklands, taking in historical sites and landmarks along the River Liffey. Liffey River Cruises run daily, with a journey time of approximately 45 minutes.
A tour guide shares entertaining snippets on Dublin life along the way, giving passengers an intriguing insight into Dublin folklore and history.
Dalkey Island Ferry Trips
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Travel back in time with a short ferry trip to Dalkey Island from Coliemore Harbour.
Take in the sea air, visit the ancient 11th-century church and marvel at the Martello Towers. The island’s origins go back 6,500 years, and the ferryman will fill you in on its stories along the way — including tales of the Vikings, who held a slave camp on the island in the early 900s.
Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship
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This popular Dublin attraction sits at Custom House Quay. It’s an authentic replica, built in Tralee, Co. Kerry, of a ship that sailed to North America and to ports across Europe in the 19th century.
Expert guides tell the story of emigration through the real passengers who sailed on the ship, while the dimly lit quarters give a real sense of what the journey was like for emigrants.
Viking Ship Cruises, Athlone
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Hop on board a Viking longship at Athlone Castle and travel out to Lough Ree, the “Lake of the Kings”.
This themed vessel measures 21 metres long and is the longest-serving timber passenger ship on Ireland’s inland waterways.
Dunlewey Centre, Ionad Cois Locha
Dunlewey is located in a small rural community in the Donegal Gaeltacht, well known for its weaver Manus Ferry. Visitors can enjoy stories of times gone by from experienced guides, or take a trip out on Dunlewey Lough.
Take a storytelling trip on the 50-seater boat, the Gráinne Rose. Along the way, you’ll view the double-peaked summit of Errigal and the glimmering granite of the Poison Glen from new angles, and pass near the site of a prehistoric crannog — the original “Dunlewey” — now lying beneath the water.
Corrib Princess, Galway
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Hop on the Corrib Princess, departing from Woodquay in Galway city centre, for a tour of the Corrib river and lake.
See what Galway looks like from the water as you pass the university and the ruin at Menlo. Watch out for nesting swans or salmon swimming by — or just enjoy watching the world go by.
Aran Islands Doolin Ferry
Explore the Wild Atlantic Way by sea. Doolin Ferries operate a fleet of ferries sailing from spring through autumn.
Budding sailors can travel to all three Aran Islands — Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr — or take a shorter trip out to the Cliffs of Moher.
Killary Fjord Boat Tour, Co. Galway
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Take a 90-minute trip on Killary Fjord for uninterrupted views of some of the finest scenery in the west of Ireland. Thanks to its sheltered nature, the waters here stay calm — no seasickness guaranteed!
The boats have plenty of space, with a café, bar and toilets on board, and are pushchair and wheelchair accessible — a highly enjoyable trip for all ages.
Dunbrody Famine Ship
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The Dunbrody is an exact replica of the original ship built in 1845, located in New Ross, Co. Wexford. The experience is like no other, with a guided tour, costumed performers and themed exhibitions.
This attraction is open all year round and is also wheelchair accessible.
Titanic Belfast and Titanic Cobh
Titanic Belfast is the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience and a must-see attraction in Northern Ireland. Explore the shipyard, walk the decks and uncover the true story of the Titanic in the city where it all began, across nine interactive galleries.
You can also visit Titanic Cobh in County Cork to experience life as a passenger joining the Titanic’s maiden voyage at Queenstown, as it was known then.
Rowing Boats at Clara Lara, Wicklow
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The rowing boats at outdoor water adventure park Clara Lara are a fun introduction to boating for kids.
Hidden in the vale of Clara, County Wicklow, this is a firm family-day-out favourite, with waterslides, Tarzan ropes, go-karts, zip lines, climbing frames, obstacle courses, a huge playground and plenty of boats — including amphicats, rowing boats and a pirate ship you can climb aboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best boat tour in Ireland for whale watching?
For dedicated whale watching, Cork Whale Watch and the Blasket Islands Eco Marine Tour in Kerry are two of the best-known options, both operating in waters known for regular whale, dolphin and porpoise sightings.
Are boat tours suitable for young children?
Many are — trips like the Ballycotton Lighthouse tour, Corrib Princess and Killary Fjord tour are family-friendly and suit a range of ages. Longer whale watching trips of four hours or more may be less suitable for very young children, so it’s worth checking with the operator before booking.
Do I need to book boat tours in advance?
It’s a good idea to book ahead, especially in peak summer months, as sailings can fill up and some routes run on a seasonal timetable.
Is seasickness a concern on these tours?
Some tours, like the Killary Fjord Boat Tour, take place in especially sheltered waters where seasickness is very unlikely. For open-sea trips, it’s worth checking conditions on the day if you’re prone to motion sickness.
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