Howth - Howth Cliffs & Ireland's Eye 1 hour Tour

About This Tour

If you’ve got an hour and you’re in Howth, this is a good way to spend it. The St Bridget leaves from the West Pier, heads out past the harbour entrance, and takes you on a loop around Ireland’s Eye before swinging south-east along the Howth cliffs and back in.

Ireland’s Eye is a small uninhabited island just off the headland - it has a bird colony and a resident seal population, and you get a close look at both from the water. The boat then heads north so you get views along the coastline toward Malahide and out to Lambay Island before turning back along the dramatic cliff face of the headland. It’s a comfortable, no-rush trip. There’s a snack bar on board where you can pick up a coffee or something stronger, and there’s WiFi and a restroom if you need them.

The boat holds up to 96 people, so it’s a different feel from the smaller sunset cruises - but the route is good, the views are real, and it works well for all ages and fitness levels.

What’s Included

• Ferry ticket
• WiFi on board
• Restroom on board

What’s Not Included

• Snacks and drinks (available to buy at the on-board snack bar)
• Parking (public parking is available nearby)

Itinerary

1. Depart from the West Pier and cruise out from Howth Harbour toward Ireland’s Eye
2. Circle around Ireland’s Eye to see the bird and seal colony, look north toward Malahide and Lambay Island, then head south-east along Howth’s cliffs before returning to the harbour

Meeting point: The boat docks in front of Aqua Restaurant on the West Pier in Howth.

Good to Know

• Suitable for all fitness levels
• Group size is capped at 96
• Conducted in English
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; infants must sit on an adult’s lap
• Service animals allowed
• Public transport nearby - Howth is on the DART line
• Snacks and drinks are not included but available to buy on board
• Public parking close by; no on-site parking at the pier

Local Tips

The seal colony is the highlight for most people. The seals around Ireland’s Eye tend to haul out on the rocks on the eastern side of the island. Sightings depend on conditions, but this is a genuine habitat rather than a managed attraction - they’re there because they want to be.

Get on the side of the boat that faces the cliffs on the return leg. The south-east run along the Howth cliffs is the best stretch visually. If you board and pick a seat, think about which side will face the headland as you head back toward the harbour - that’s the side to be on.

The snack bar is useful if you’re combining this with a walk. The 1-hour cruise works well as a break in the middle of an afternoon in Howth - get out on the water, then come back and continue exploring the village or the cliff paths. The West Pier has good access to both.

Ireland’s Eye is a landing-accessible island on other tours. If you want more than a view from the water, there are separate ferry services that land on the island itself. This 1-hour circuit is a cruise past rather than a landing trip, so check which kind of experience you’re after before you book.

Nearby on IrelandMe

• Howth - the fishing village and peninsula you’re setting out from, with harbour walks, cliff paths, and seafood right on the waterfront.
• Malahide - visible from the water on the northern leg of this cruise, a coastal village with a castle estate and a pleasant village centre.
• Dun Laoghaire - on the south side of Dublin Bay, easy on the DART from the city, known for its long pier and Victorian seafront.