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Dublin: Howth Cliffs and Ireland's Eye Combo Boat Tour
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From €27 per person
Most people who visit Howth walk the cliff path, grab some fish and chips on the pier, and head back to Dublin thinking they’ve seen the place. And they’ve seen part of it. But Howth from the water is a completely different experience - the cliffs are taller, the island looks wilder, and the whole coastline opens up in a way that the walking trails simply can’t show you.
This 55-minute boat tour sets off from Howth pier and follows the coastline out past Balscadden Bay and the Howth Lighthouse, circling out towards Ireland’s Eye before heading back through the harbour with Dublin Bay spread out behind you. Your captain provides live commentary throughout, covering the local seabirds, the rock formations along the cliff face, and the history of the area. The native seal colony tends to hang around the rocks, and with a bit of luck you’ll get close enough for a proper look.
It’s an easy trip - no sea legs required, no complicated logistics - and it gives you a perspective on one of Ireland’s most attractive stretches of coastline that most visitors never get.
Howth is 30 minutes from Dublin city centre by DART. Take the northbound DART from Connolly or Pearse and get off at the end of the line - Howth is the terminus, so you can’t miss it. The pier is a short walk from the station. No driving, no parking stress.
Combine the boat tour with the cliff walk for a proper day out. The loop from Howth summit down to the lighthouse and back along the lower path is one of the most scenic walks in the Dublin area. Do the walk first, then reward yourself with the boat trip - or do it the other way around and get the sea air in your lungs before you set off on foot.
Dress for the coast, whatever the season. Even on a warm Dublin day the breeze off the water can cut through you, so bring a windproof layer. Howth can be glorious in all weathers, but you’ll enjoy the boat trip a lot more if you’re not shivering.
The pier in Howth is full of good spots for food and drink before or after. Fresh seafood is the obvious choice - the chippers along the pier do serious fish and chips, and there are good cafes and restaurants a short walk away in the village. If you’re there on a Sunday, the weekly market near the harbour is worth a browse.
Keep your eyes out for gannets on the way to Ireland’s Eye. The island is home to nesting seabirds, and on a clear day the sight of gannets diving into the sea around the rocks is something you don’t forget in a hurry.