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Boat Trip from Dun Laoghaire to Howth
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Dublin Bay looks completely different from the water. This one-way sailing from Dun Laoghaire to Howth takes about 60 to 70 minutes, and in that time you’ll see stretches of coastline that simply aren’t reachable any other way.
You pass Dalkey Island, the Bull Island wildlife reserve, and both the Baily and Kish Lighthouses. As you round Howth Head, Ireland’s Eye comes into view, and then Lambay Island beyond it. By the time you pull into Howth Harbour, you’ll likely spot seals bobbing around the boats - they’re remarkably relaxed about the whole thing and have been there longer than the tourists.
It’s a straightforward, scenic crossing that gives you a real sense of Dublin’s relationship with the sea. Not a cruise, not a tour - just a good hour on the water looking at coastline that most people only ever see from land.
You board at the Blue Office on the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire Harbour - it’s the long pedestrian pier, and you’ll embark before the bandstand. The voyage heads north along the coast, passing Dalkey Island and the Bull Island wildlife reserve before rounding Howth Head and arriving into Howth Harbour.
Meeting point: The Blue Office on the East Pier, Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Board before the bandstand on the long pedestrian pier.
Walk the East Pier before you board. The pier in Dun Laoghaire is one of the great free things to do in Dublin - it’s about a kilometre long, with the bandstand roughly halfway along. You board before the bandstand, so if you walk the whole pier first and double back, you’ll have warmed up and taken in the bay views at ground level before seeing them from the water. Allow an extra 30 minutes if you want to do both. Dun Laoghaire is worth spending time in before you set off.
Watch for Dalkey Island as soon as you clear the harbour. It’s the first significant landmark you pass on this route - a small uninhabited island just off the coast near Dalkey village, with the ruins of a Martello tower and a ruined church visible from the water. It’s easy to miss if you’re below deck when you pass it, so make sure you’re on deck and looking southward from shortly after departure. Dalkey is one of the most pleasant seaside villages in the county.
The seals at Howth Harbour are not guaranteed, but common. They tend to gather around the fishing boats on the inner harbour side. When you arrive into Howth, look toward the working quay area rather than the leisure marina. The seals are more active and visible in the mornings and on quieter days.
Dress for the wind, not the forecast. The Bay crossing between Bull Island and Howth Head can be brisk, even on a mild day. A windproof layer makes a real difference if you’re planning to stand on deck for the full crossing. The views from the water as you round Howth Head are worth it, but you’ll enjoy them more if you’re warm.
Plan ahead for Howth. You’ll arrive with a few hours to fill, and Howth rewards time. The cliff walk is one of the finest short walks near Dublin city - a loop of roughly 6 km that takes you above the harbour and along the headland with views back across the bay you just crossed. There’s decent seafood on the pier if you’re hungry, and the DART back to the city centre runs regularly from Howth station.