Dublin: Dublin Bay Cruise from Howth to Dun Laoghaire

See Dublin Bay from the water. This 60 to 70 minute cruise links two of Dublin’s best coastal towns, with views of Howth Cliffs and Howth Head on one side and Dalkey Island and Dun Laoghaire Harbour ahead. I like the easy one-way route and the chance to see Baily and Kish Lighthouses from the sea. I also like that you can take the DART to Howth before sailing, then use a discount voucher for the return rail trip.

The main drawback is space. On a choppy day, the outside viewing area may feel tight, and you could spend part of the ride indoors. At $28 per person, this is fair value for a scenic transfer and sightseeing cruise, but it makes the most sense when you plan to spend time in Dun Laoghaire afterward.

Key points to know before sailing

• The route crosses the full width of Dublin Bay: You sail from Howth on the north side of the bay to Dun Laoghaire on the south side.
• The best sights come in a steady sequence: Ireland’s Eye, Lambay Island, Howth Head, Baily Lighthouse, Kish Lighthouse, Bull Island, Dalkey Island, and Dun Laoghaire Harbour all feature along the route.
• The cruise is one way: Your ticket takes you from Howth to Dun Laoghaire, not back to Howth.
• The DART makes the day easy to plan: You can reach Howth by rail and use a discount voucher for your return journey.
• Onboard drinks cost extra: Coffee and wine are available, but snacks and drinks are not included in the ticket price.
• The boat works for a wide range of ages: The cruise is listed as suitable for families and infants, with comfortable clothes and shoes recommended.

Why this short cruise works so well

Dublin Bay is large enough to make a boat crossing feel like an outing, yet compact enough that you do not lose half a day. The Dublin Bay Cruises trip aboard the St Bridget takes about 60 to 70 minutes. That is long enough to settle in, watch the coast change, and enjoy the main sights without turning the day into a major expedition.

I like the route because it is also useful transportation. You start in Howth, a coastal town known for its harbor and headland, then arrive in Dun Laoghaire, another seaside center with its long piers and harbor. Instead of backtracking by land, you get a scenic crossing between them.

The cruise also gives you a view of Dublin that is hard to get from the road or railway. From the water, Howth Head becomes a broad coastal feature rather than a point on a map. Lighthouses, islands, cliffs, and harbor walls line up in a natural sequence. It is a simple idea, but a good one.

The price is $28 per person. I consider that reasonable if you use the cruise as part of a full coastal day. You are paying for a ferry crossing, a sightseeing experience, onboard commentary, and a DART discount voucher for the return journey. If you only want a quick ride between the two towns, the price may feel less attractive. If you want to see the bay from the water and have lunch or drinks in Dun Laoghaire, it makes more sense.

Starting at West Pier in Howth

The departure point is on the West Pier in Howth, opposite Aqua Restaurant. This is a practical meeting point because you can spend time in Howth before the boat leaves, then walk directly to the pier for boarding.

The easiest plan is to take the DART to Howth before the sailing. That removes the need to arrange a separate transfer to the harbor and lets you make Howth part of the day rather than simply treating it as a departure station. Check the available sailing time before you set out, since departure times vary.

Give yourself enough time to reach the West Pier without rushing. The information provided does not specify a required arrival time, so I would still avoid arriving at the last minute. A little extra time gives you room to locate Aqua Restaurant, find the boarding point, and get settled before departure.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. This is not a formal boat trip, and practical clothing will make the pier and boat more comfortable. The bay can feel different from the sheltered streets of Howth, so a sensible outer layer is useful, even though the exact weather conditions are not guaranteed.

Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island to the north

Once the St Bridget leaves Howth, the northern part of the route brings Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island into view. These islands help you understand the shape of the coastline and give the opening part of the journey a sense of distance.

Ireland’s Eye is close to Howth, so it becomes one of the first notable features after departure. Lambay Island lies farther north. Seeing both from the water gives you a wider picture than you get from a walk around the harbor.

This section is a good reason to keep your camera ready, but do not expect every view to look the same throughout the trip. The boat moves steadily, and the best angle changes as you pass each point. If you want photographs, pay attention to the commentary and keep checking both sides of the vessel.

The boat has an onboard bar, so you can buy coffee or a glass of wine during the journey. Drinks and snacks are not included in the ticket, so budget separately if you want something from the bar. The simple pleasure here is having a warm drink while the coastline slides past, not a full meal service.

Along Howth Cliffs and around Howth Head

The cruise then passes Howth Cliffs before rounding Howth Head. This is one of the strongest parts of the route because the coastline becomes more dramatic than the harbor area.

From the boat, you see the cliffs from below and from an angle that is not available on a normal walk. Howth Head also helps mark the turn from the northern side of Dublin Bay toward the open crossing. The change in direction gives the cruise a clear sense of progress.

The views are the main attraction, so seating matters. Outside, you have the best chance of an unobstructed look, but the available space may be limited. One passenger found that choppy water and limited room meant spending part of the journey indoors. That is a useful warning for anyone imagining a full hour in a fixed outdoor seat.

The boat is suitable for all ages, including families and infants, but the experience is still weather dependent. If you are traveling with a child, keep expectations flexible. The route is short enough to manage, yet wind, spray, or rougher water may make the inside seating more comfortable.

Baily Lighthouse and Kish Lighthouse

As the boat rounds Howth Head, look for Baily Lighthouse and Kish Lighthouse. These are among the most memorable man-made sights on the crossing, and seeing them from the water gives you a practical sense of their role along Dublin Bay.

Baily Lighthouse is associated with the Howth Head coastline, so it fits naturally into this part of the route. Kish Lighthouse lies farther out in the bay. Together, they show how the waterway is marked for vessels approaching and crossing Dublin.

The cruise commentary adds value here. You are not simply passing scenery without context. The onboard service includes commentary, and the crew can help point out key features as they appear. One of the strongest impressions from the trip is the friendly service, with the captain described as funny and welcoming. That matters on a short cruise, where a relaxed crew can make the ride feel more personal.

Still, this is not a long guided lecture or a specialist maritime tour. Think of the commentary as helpful orientation while you look out the windows, not the main event. The sights remain the reason to book.

The crossing toward Bull Island and Dalkey Island

After Howth Head and the lighthouses, the boat crosses Dublin Bay. This is where the trip feels most like a proper coastal cruise rather than a harbor shuttle.

The route passes the wildlife sanctuary of Bull Island. Its position gives you a different view of Dublin’s shoreline and shows how varied the bay can be. You move from cliffs and headlands to a broad stretch of water, then toward the southern side of the bay.

Dalkey Island comes into view as you approach Dun Laoghaire. This change is useful for orientation. You can watch the southern coast come closer and begin to see the harbor that marks the end of the sailing.

The open crossing is also the section most affected by conditions on the water. A calm day should make it easy to spend more time outside. If the sea is choppy, the indoor area may be preferable. The cruise does not promise a fixed outdoor viewing experience, so I would choose this trip for the route and atmosphere rather than for guaranteed perfect photography conditions.

Arrival at Dun Laoghaire Harbour

The cruise ends at the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire. This is an excellent arrival point for a second half of the day because you can continue on foot around the harbor area or stop for food and drinks nearby.

The arrival also makes the trip feel complete. You begin beside Howth’s cliffs and headland, cross the bay with islands and lighthouses along the route, then arrive at a formal harbor on the southern side. You get a change of setting without arranging another excursion.

Remember that the sailing is one way. Your ferry ticket does not include a return boat to Howth. Instead, passengers can return by DART rail, and the activity includes a discount voucher for that return journey. That makes the cruise especially practical for visitors who want to see both coastal towns in one day.

One helpful plan is to take the DART to Howth in the morning, allow some time there, board the boat, then explore Dun Laoghaire after arrival. You can return by train later using the discount voucher. The supplied experience details do not specify the voucher amount or exact rail conditions, so check those when booking or collecting the ticket.

Is $28 a fair price?

I would judge the price by how you use the day. At $28, the experience costs more than a standard rail ride, but it is not just transportation. You get a 60 to 70 minute bay crossing, coastal views, lighthouse sightings, onboard commentary, and the novelty of traveling between two seaside towns by boat.

The value is strongest when you already want to visit Howth and Dun Laoghaire. The cruise saves you from making the same journey entirely by train and adds a scenic part to your transport. The DART discount voucher also helps, though the exact saving is not stated.

The value is weaker if your schedule is tight or you only want to reach Dun Laoghaire quickly. The boat takes about an hour, and the return journey still requires the DART. You should also allow time to reach the pier and wait for boarding.

Drinks are extra, but that is easy to manage. Buy coffee or wine onboard if you like, or simply enjoy the views without adding to the bill. There is no included food service, so do not treat this as a meal cruise.

Who should book this Dublin Bay cruise?

I would recommend it to anyone who wants a relaxed coastal activity with a clear beginning and end. It suits first-time visitors who want to see more of Dublin County, couples looking for an easy scenic outing, and families who prefer a short boat ride over a full-day excursion.

It also works well for local residents and repeat visitors. The route is not limited to people seeking major sightseeing attractions. It offers a pleasant way to cross the bay, and the combination of boat travel, food in Dun Laoghaire, and DART transport can fill a satisfying day.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, need guaranteed outdoor seating, or are traveling on a very tight schedule. The water can be choppy, and the outdoor area may not have room for everyone to stay outside for the full trip.

The free cancellation policy gives you some flexibility: cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Dublin plans are still changing.

My verdict: book it for the route, not just the ride

I would book this cruise if I wanted to connect Howth and Dun Laoghaire in a scenic way. The best parts are the sequence of coastal sights, the friendly onboard service, and the fact that the trip fits neatly into a wider Dublin day.

Plan for a one-way sailing, bring comfortable clothes, and accept that sea conditions may send you indoors for part of the journey. If you can live with that, $28 buys more than a ferry ticket. It gives you a fresh view of Dublin Bay and a useful link between two of its most enjoyable coastal towns.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from the West Pier in Howth, opposite Aqua Restaurant.

Where does the cruise finish?

The cruise finishes at the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire.

How long does the cruise take?

The sailing takes about 60 to 70 minutes.

Is the cruise one way?

Yes. The ferry ticket covers travel from Howth to Dun Laoghaire only.

Is the return journey included?

The boat return is not included. Passengers can return by DART rail, and a discount voucher for the return journey is included.

What sights can I see from the boat?

The route includes Ireland’s Eye, Lambay Island, Howth Cliffs, Howth Head, Baily Lighthouse, Kish Lighthouse, Bull Island, Dalkey Island, and Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

Can I take the DART to Howth before the cruise?

Yes. Taking the DART to Howth before sailing is recommended as part of the travel plan.

Are drinks and snacks included?

No. Drinks and snacks are not included, but you can buy coffee or a glass of wine onboard.

Is the cruise suitable for children and infants?

Yes. The activity is listed as suitable for all ages, including families and infants.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later.