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Boat Trip from Howth to Dun Laoghaire
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Dublin Bay is a UNESCO Biosphere, and the best way to understand why is to get out on the water. This one-hour crossing from Howth to Dun Laoghaire heads south past the dramatic cliffs of Howth Head, out past the Baily and Kish Lighthouses, and across the open bay. You’ll also spot Ireland’s Eye just off the Howth coast as you pull away from the harbour.
It’s a perspective on the capital that most visitors never get. You’re not looking at the city from a bus window or a street corner - you’re watching the coastline from the sea, with the mountains behind it and the bay spreading out around you. The whole crossing takes about 60 minutes, and it’s probably the most relaxed hour you’ll spend in Dublin.
The boat departs from in front of Aqua Restaurant on the West Pier in Howth. You head out past Howth Harbour and round the cliffs of Howth Head, where the Baily Lighthouse comes into view. From there it’s a straight crossing of Dublin Bay to Dun Laoghaire, with the Kish Lighthouse visible in the distance.
Meeting point: In front of Aqua Restaurant on the West Pier, Howth.
Give yourself time to explore Howth before you board. The West Pier is right in the middle of Howth village, and it’s worth arriving 30 to 45 minutes early to walk the harbour, browse the fish stalls, or grab a coffee. The village is small enough to cover on foot and the views back across the bay from the pier wall are genuinely good. Howth is one of those places that rewards a slow wander.
The Baily Lighthouse is best appreciated on a clear morning. If you have any flexibility over when you sail, earlier tends to mean better visibility across the bay. Afternoon crossings can be lovely too, but sea mist sometimes rolls in later in the day, particularly in summer. The lighthouse itself sits on the southern tip of Howth Head and dates back to 1814 - you’ll get a proper look at it from the water as you round the headland.
Dress for the open sea, not the city. Even on a warm Dublin day, it’s noticeably cooler and windier out on the bay. A light jacket is worth having in your bag, particularly if you plan to stand on deck for the crossing. The cliffs section between Howth Head and the lighthouse is when you’ll feel the breeze most.
Plan what you’re doing when you land in Dun Laoghaire. This is a one-way sailing, so you’ll arrive at Dun Laoghaire with a bit of the afternoon ahead of you. The town has good cafes, the National Maritime Museum of Ireland, and the pier walk out to the East Lighthouse - all easy from the harbour. The DART back to the city runs frequently from Dun Laoghaire station, roughly a five-minute walk from the pier.
Ireland’s Eye is worth a closer look on another day. You’ll see the island clearly from the boat as you leave Howth. It’s an uninhabited nature reserve with a Martello tower and some impressive sea cliffs. Separate boat trips run to the island from Howth Harbour if you want to explore it properly - it’s a short crossing and well worth the detour before or after your Dun Laoghaire sailing.