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Dublin: Dublin Bay Cruise from Howth to Dun Laoghaire
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From €25 per person
Jump on board the St Bridget at Howth and get yourself comfortable with a coffee or a glass of wine - this is a 60 to 70 minute cruise across Dublin Bay with some of the best coastal scenery the capital has to offer.
Heading south from Howth, you’ll pass Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island off to the north before rounding the dramatic Howth Cliffs and Howth Head. The iconic Baily Lighthouse comes into view as you clear the headland, followed by the Kish Lighthouse further out to sea. The route then crosses the bay, passing the world-famous wildlife sanctuary at Bull Island before Dalkey Island appears on your right and you glide into the harbour at Dun Laoghaire.
It’s a lovely way to connect two of Dublin’s most popular coastal spots, and the views of the city from the water are something you won’t get any other way.
Take the DART to Howth first. The DART line runs right up the coast from Connolly or Pearse to Howth - it’s about 40 minutes from the city centre and the views along the coastal stretch are genuinely good. You arrive at Howth village rather than the pier, so allow a short walk down to the harbour. Give yourself time to wander Howth before your sailing if you can - the village has good fish and chips and the cliff walk views back toward the city are worth seeing.
Sit on the starboard side heading south. When you’re heading from Howth to Dun Laoghaire, the right-hand side of the boat (starboard) gives you the best angle on the Howth cliffs and headland. Ireland’s Eye is visible early in the crossing from either side, but as you round Howth Head you’ll want to be positioned for the Baily Lighthouse coming into view. Once you’re crossing the open bay, both sides give you city views.
Bull Island is easy to miss but worth knowing about. The wildlife sanctuary at Bull Island sits in the inner bay and is one of Dublin’s lesser-known natural assets. From the water you get a good sense of its scale - it’s a barrier island with sand dunes, bird life, and a long beach that Dubliners use year-round. The North Bull Wall, a long granite causeway running out from Clontarf, is visible on the crossing and has its own interesting history as the structure that inadvertently created the island in the early 19th century.
Dun Laoghaire harbour is worth sticking around for. When you dock at Dun Laoghaire, you’re arriving at one of the finest Victorian harbours in Ireland. The two granite piers - the East Pier and the West Pier - are both worth walking if the weather is reasonable. The East Pier has a bandstand and a lighthouse at its end, and on a clear day the views back toward Howth across the bay give you a neat sense of the crossing you’ve just made.
Your DART discount voucher makes the return easy. The cruise is one-way, so you’ll use the DART to get back. Your voucher gives you a discount on the return journey from Dun Laoghaire to the city. The DART station is a short walk from the pier, and trains run regularly on the coastal line. If you have extra time in Dun Laoghaire, the town centre has good cafés and restaurants worth trying before you head back.