Dublin: Dublin Bay Cruise from Howth to Dun Laoghaire

A short boat ride becomes one of Dublin’s best scenic transfers as the St Bridget carries you from Howth to Dun Laoghaire. You’ll pass Ireland’s Eye, Lambay Island, and Howth Cliffs, then cross Dublin Bay with lighthouses, Bull Island, Dalkey Island, and the harbour ahead.

I like the useful one-way design: you can take the DART to Howth, make the cruise your journey across the bay, then explore Dun Laoghaire afterward. I also like the relaxed onboard bar, where you can buy coffee or a glass of wine while the captain provides commentary.

The main caution is space. If the sea turns choppy, some passengers may need to sit inside, and the return journey is not included. Plan on a DART trip back, using the discount voucher supplied with your ticket.

Key points to know before sailing

• Howth West Pier is the starting point, opposite Aqua Restaurant.
• The 60 to 70 minute cruise is one way, ending at Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier.
• The route packs in major coastal sights, including Howth Head, Baily Lighthouse, Kish Lighthouse, Bull Island, and Dalkey Island.
• A DART discount voucher is included, making it simple to return by rail if you need to.
• Coffee, wine, and other drinks are available to buy onboard, but snacks and drinks are not part of the ticket price.
• The cruise suits families and all ages, though limited space and a choppy sea can affect comfort.

A scenic way to cross Dublin Bay

Dublin Bay looks different from the water. From the DART, you see the coast in passing. From the St Bridget, you have time to watch the shoreline unfold, from the rocky edge of Howth to the harbour walls at Dun Laoghaire.

The cruise lasts about an hour, sometimes up to 70 minutes. That is long enough to make the trip feel like a proper outing, but short enough to fit into a day of sightseeing. You are not committing to a full-day boat excursion or a long open-water crossing.

The route also makes practical sense. Howth and Dun Laoghaire are both enjoyable places to visit, but they sit on opposite sides of Dublin Bay. Instead of returning to central Dublin and retracing your route, you can use the boat to connect the two coastal towns.

I see this as both a sightseeing cruise and a transport option. That combination gives the trip much of its value. You are paying for a scenic experience, but you are also moving from one part of the coast to another.

Starting at Howth’s West Pier

Your departure point is the West Pier in Howth, directly opposite Aqua Restaurant. Howth is easy to reach by DART, and taking the train to the pier is part of the appeal. You can spend time around Howth before sailing, then board for the crossing to Dun Laoghaire.

The exact sailing time depends on the date and availability, so check the start time before planning the rest of your day. Give yourself enough time to reach the pier and find the departure area without rushing.

Howth makes a good starting point because the first part of the route is packed with coastal views. The boat passes Ireland’s Eye and looks toward Lambay Island to the north. These islands give the opening stretch a sense of distance, even though you are still close to Dublin.

You will also see Howth Cliffs and Howth Head from the water. This view is different from walking above the cliffs. From the boat, you can take in the full sweep of the headland, including the rocky shoreline and the way it projects into the bay.

Passing Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island

Ireland’s Eye is one of the first notable sights on the northern side of the route. The island sits off Howth, and seeing it from the water helps you understand Howth’s position at the edge of Dublin Bay.

Lambay Island appears farther north. The cruise does not take you onto either island, so keep your expectations clear. This is a passing view, not an island visit. Still, both add interest to the early part of the trip and make the coastline feel larger than it does from town.

This is a good time to stay outside if conditions allow. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole ride looking at a screen. The route changes steadily, and the best view may be behind you or on the opposite side of the boat.

Howth Head, Baily Lighthouse, and Kish Lighthouse

After passing the cliffs, the boat rounds Howth Head. This is one of the strongest sections of the cruise because you see the headland from several angles instead of getting one quick view.

Baily Lighthouse is another highlight. Its position on Howth Head makes it easy to spot from the water, and the boat gives you a useful sense of how it relates to the surrounding coast. Lighthouse views are often more interesting from a boat because you see the rocks, water, and structure together.

The route also passes Kish Lighthouse. Unlike Baily Lighthouse, Kish Lighthouse sits offshore, so it gives the bay a more open-water character. The two lighthouses help mark the transition from the sheltered Howth side of the journey toward the wider crossing.

The onboard commentary adds context as you go. The captain and crew provide commentary, and the friendly service is part of what gives the cruise its easygoing feel. Do not expect a formal guided lecture. Think of it as useful information while the view does the main work.

Crossing past Bull Island

The boat then passes the area around Bull Island, known for its wildlife sanctuary. This section gives you a broad look across Dublin Bay and shifts the focus from the Howth shoreline to the middle of the bay.

The crossing can be the most exposed part of the trip. On a calm day, it should feel like the natural centerpiece of the ride. If the water is choppy, you may find that the outside viewing space is less comfortable, and you may need to spend part of the journey inside.

That point matters when you choose clothing. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, as advised, and bring layers suitable for a boat ride. Even without making assumptions about the weather, a coastal crossing can feel different from standing on shore.

Space is another practical consideration. One passenger account noted that limited room meant spending some of the journey inside when the sea became unsettled. The cruise remains enjoyable, but it is wise to treat outdoor viewing as weather-dependent rather than guaranteed.

Dalkey Island and the approach to Dun Laoghaire

As the boat crosses toward the southern side of the bay, Dalkey Island comes into view. This changes the feel of the route again. You move from open bay views toward the more settled coastline around Dun Laoghaire.

The final approach brings Dun Laoghaire Harbour into sight. The harbour gives the cruise a clear finish, with long pier structures and the arrival point ahead. After the more open views around Howth Head and the bay, entering the harbour feels like a natural close to the journey.

The cruise finishes at Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier. This is not a round trip, so plan to spend time in Dun Laoghaire, continue elsewhere, or return by DART. The included DART discount voucher helps with that last option, but the rail journey itself is not part of the cruise ticket.

This arrangement works particularly well if you want a coastal day without hiring a car. You can reach Howth by DART, cross the bay by boat, and use rail again afterward. It is a simple route with three different ways to see Dublin: train, sea, and town.

What the St Bridget offers onboard

The St Bridget is the boat used for this cruise. You can buy drinks onboard, including coffee or a glass of wine. Snacks and drinks are not included, so budget a little extra if you want something during the ride.

The bar is a small but useful feature. A coffee suits the daytime sailing, while wine can make the trip feel more like a relaxed outing with friends. Do not choose the cruise because you expect a meal or a full food service. The main attraction is the route, not the refreshments.

Onboard commentary is included in the experience. It helps point out sights such as the lighthouses and islands, especially if you do not know the bay well. The captain has also been praised for being funny and friendly, which can make the ride feel more personal than a silent ferry crossing.

You should still treat the boat as a working ferry with sightseeing value, not as a luxury yacht. Seating and viewing space can be limited. On a calm sailing, that may not matter much. On a rougher one, you will appreciate having comfortable clothes and being willing to move indoors.

Is $28 a fair price?

At about $28 per person, this cruise is reasonably priced if you value both the crossing and the views. You are getting a 60 to 70 minute boat ride, onboard commentary, access to the coastal route, and a DART discount voucher for the return journey.

The value is strongest when you were already planning to visit both Howth and Dun Laoghaire. In that case, the cruise replaces a land journey while adding sights you cannot get from the train. It also saves you from going back through central Dublin just to reach the other side of the bay.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick boat ride and do not plan to spend time at either end. Because the sailing is one way, you need to account for your onward transport. Drinks and snacks also cost extra.

I would compare the cruise with the cost and time of making the same journey by DART. The boat is not simply a faster transport choice. Its appeal is the chance to see the coastline, headlands, islands, and harbour from the water. If that sounds worthwhile, the price is fair.

Who will enjoy this Dublin Bay cruise?

I would recommend it to families, couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy scenery without a demanding activity. The cruise is suitable for all ages, including infants, and the one-hour length is manageable for children.

It also works well for people who want to combine two coastal stops in one day. Start in Howth, take the boat, then have food or drinks around Dun Laoghaire before using the DART if needed. One passenger specifically described this as a good day out with friends, combining the bay crossing, food and drinks in Dun Laoghaire, and the rail return.

You will probably enjoy it most if you like changing viewpoints. The boat does not stop at every sight, so the experience depends on watching the route as it passes. If you prefer a structured walking tour with frequent stops, this may feel too passive.

The cruise is also a sensible choice for locals looking for a different way to cross the bay. You do not need a packed sightseeing schedule to make it worthwhile. The trip can simply be the central activity between time in Howth and Dun Laoghaire.

Practical tips for a better sailing

Arrive at the West Pier opposite Aqua Restaurant with time to spare. The departure point is specific, and checking the sailing time in advance will make the start easier.

Take the DART to Howth if you are coming from elsewhere in Dublin. This avoids treating the cruise as an isolated attraction and lets you use it as part of a full coastal route.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. You may want to move between outdoor and indoor areas, especially if the water becomes choppy. Keep a layer close by rather than assuming the conditions at the pier will match those on the bay.

Buy a drink onboard if you want one, but do not expect food to be included. If you need snacks, bring that into your planning before boarding.

Allow flexibility after arrival in Dun Laoghaire. The ride lasts about 60 to 70 minutes, and the most sensible plans are those that do not depend on an exact minute of arrival.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Dublin schedule is still taking shape.

Should you book the Howth to Dun Laoghaire cruise?

Book it if you want a pleasant, low-effort way to see Dublin Bay while moving between two coastal towns. The combination of Howth Cliffs, Ireland’s Eye, Baily and Kish lighthouses, Bull Island, Dalkey Island, and Dun Laoghaire Harbour gives the short cruise plenty to watch.

I would especially choose it for a day that begins by DART in Howth and ends with food, drinks, or a walk around Dun Laoghaire. The DART discount voucher makes the one-way format easier to manage.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed outdoor seat, a full meal, or a round-trip sailing. Choppy water and limited space can affect comfort. For most people who want a scenic bay crossing with friendly service and useful commentary, though, the $28 fare is a sound addition to a Dublin itinerary.

FAQ

Where does the Dublin Bay cruise depart?

Departure is from the West Pier in Howth, directly opposite Aqua Restaurant.

Where does the cruise finish?

The sailing finishes at the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire.

How long is the boat ride?

The cruise takes about 60 to 70 minutes. Check availability for the exact sailing time.

Is the cruise one way or round trip?

It is a one-way sailing from Howth to Dun Laoghaire. A return boat trip is not included.

Can I return from Dun Laoghaire by train?

Yes. Passengers can return by DART rail, and a DART discount voucher is included with the cruise ticket.

What sights can I see from the boat?

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

Are drinks and snacks included?

No. Drinks and snacks are not included, but coffee, wine, and other drinks are available to buy onboard.

Is the cruise suitable for families and infants?

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