9 Boat Trips in Ireland That Are Worth My Motion Sickness
I used to be so seasick all the time. But miraculously, this got a tad better for me as an adult. And what did I do when I knew I could be friends (or mostly frenemies) with the ocean? I took a boat ride with friends, of course!
My girls and I were so excited. I even planned amazing outfits because I thought I’d look majestic on deck. Then reality hits, and I look like a windswept scarecrow. Still, having one bad hair day was better than getting super dizzy on a boat like I used to.
Overall, I loved the breathtaking views, lovely wildlife, and fresh air from our seafaring adventure. If you also want a wonderful time at sea, here are the best boat trips in Ireland I’ve taken so far.
1. Ireland’s Eye Ferries
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Website: https://www.irelandseyeferries.com/
Address: 1 W Pier, Howth, Dublin 13
Contact Details: +353 86 077 3021, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 10:30 AM to 5 PM
Fees:
- Howth Coastal Boat Tour (50 minutes) – starts at €25
- Howth Sundown Cruise (60 minutes) – starts at €25
- Harbour Walk & Coastal Boat Tour Combo (Private Tour) – €500 (11 people maximum)
Ireland’s Eye Ferries is a boat trip to Ireland to consider if you’re searching for an easy coastal getaway right outside Dublin—great for a half-day trip!
The boats leave from Howth’s West Pier and take you on a nice sightseeing journey. Or, it can bring you directly to Ireland’s Eye, a small, uninhabited island a few minutes offshore.
Just keep your eyes open and spot seabird colonies, like gannets (big, white birds), puffins (sea parrots) in summer, and seals chilling on rocks.
Pro tip:
Dress to impress, but mind the wind on your Ireland’s Eye Ferries boat trip by wearing layered and waterproof clothing! Even on a fine day, the sea breeze can get pretty strong.
2. BoatTrips.ie
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Website: http://www.boattrips.ie/
Address: Canal Square, John’s Bridge, Dukesmeadows, Kilkenny
Contact Details: +353 87 206 1999, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Fees:
- Tours of Kilkenny
- Kilkenny Boat Trip
- Adults (Ages 17+) – €15
- Children (Ages 0 to 16) – €10
- Kilkenny Boat Trip (Private Tour) – €10 to €15 per person
- Minimum Charge – €100
- Adults (Ages 17+) – €15
- Children (Ages 0 to 16) – €10
- Kilkenny Boat Trip
- Tours in Athy, Co Kildare
- Athy Boat Trip (maximum 12 passengers)
- Adults – €15 each
- Children (under 16) – €12.50
- Athy Boat Trip (maximum 12 passengers)
- Boat Trip Private Cruise (maximum 12 passengers)
- 1 hour – €150
- 2 hours – €270
- 3 hours – €390
Who says setting sail on a river can’t be as fun as it is on the sea? BoatTrips.ie offers a lovely opportunity for you to have a serene experience in Kilkenny.
You’ll start from Canal Square by John’s Bridge and journey along the River Nore. As the trip typically lasts around half an hour, this is great for most short family trips too.
Moreover, you’ll go past Kilkenny Castle, which many fairytale-loving kids and kids at heart might appreciate. Why not surprise the little ones by dressing them up like royalty for this?
Cool idea:
Make the most of your BoatTrips.ie itinerary by strolling through the nearby Canal Walk trail! Foodies can also enjoy Canal Square and Kilkenny’s city centre for their coffee shops and pubs.
3. Killaloe River Cruises
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Website: http://www.killaloerivercruises.com/
Address: Lakeside Dr, Ballina, Co. Tipperary
Contact Details: 086 814 0559, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Fees:
- Adults – €17 each
- Children – €7.50 each
- Senior (65+) – €14.50 each
- Family of 4 (2 Adults & 2 Children) – €44
- Family of 5 (2 Adults & 3 Children) – €49
- Additional Children to a Family – €5
Should you need an hour to move away from all the weekday noise, Killaloe River Cruises is perfect for a peaceful adventure. These boat trips let you see Lough Derg and the River Shannon, Ireland’s longest river.
This slow-paced cruise is also a crowd favourite for dates or getting to know new people. Besides the indoor seating in case the weather acts up, there’s also an open upper deck for photographing the best views.
Nifty trick:
Arrive earlier than your scheduled time at Killaloe River Cruises to get the best seats! Many prefer the upper deck for the best 360-degree sights.
4. Dingle Sea Safari
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Website: http://www.dingleseasafari.com/
Address: The Pier, Unit 1, tourist offices centre, Strand St, Farrannakilla, Dingle, Co. Kerry
Contact Details: +353 86 193 7304, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 7 PM
Fees:
- Dingle Sea Safari Tour (2.5 to 3 hours, maximum of 12 people) – €75 per person
- Private Hire Dingle Sea Safari Rib Tour (2.5 to 3 hours, maximum of 12 people) – €750
Dingle Sea Safari is for thrill seekers since it takes its boat riders on a dramatic coastline. You’ll likely get an adrenaline rush, having a speedboat-style rib tour of the Dingle Peninsula and the wider Atlantic coast.
Apart from seeing sea caves, cliffs, rock formations, and hidden coves, there are several puffins (sea parrots), seals, whales, and dolphins throughout the day.
Friendly reminder:
Expect bumps, splashes, and other twists at your Dingle Sea Safari ride! Ensure your phones and cameras have waterproof covers—you won’t be able to hide from sea spray throughout.
5. Sliabh Liag Boat Trips
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Website: http://www.sliabhleagueboattrips.com/
Address: Teelin Harbour, Rinnakill, Teelin, Carrick, Co. Donegal
Contact Details: +353 87 628 4688, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday, Saturday to Sunday – 9 AM to 8 PM
- Thursday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 8 PM
Fees:
- 1 hour 45-minute Sailing Trip
- Sightseeing (12 passengers and 2 crew per boat)
- Adults (18+) – €25 each
- Ages 13 to 17 – €15 each
- Age 5 to 13 – €10 each
- Private Trips (sightseeing or swimming trip for approx. 2 hours)
- €300 to have the boat all to yourselves
- Evening Angling Trips
- Minimum of 4 and maximum of 10 per booking – €35 per person
- Sightseeing (12 passengers and 2 crew per boat)
Love looking at high, breathtaking spots? Sliabh Liag Boat Trips provides tours that can take you beneath the soaring Sliabh Liag Cliffs! It rises close to 600 metres from the Atlantic, making it Europe’s highest accessible sea cliffs.
Plus, the route runs from Teelin Harbour out along Donegal Bay down to the cliffs, giving you the chance to spot wildlife, take photos, and listen to legends and folklore.
For the adventurers:
Don’t forget to bring complete swim gear to your Sliabh Liag boat trips! Some rides let you have a fun mid-cruise swim near the cliffs, so having goggles and water shoes can amp up your experience.
6. Westport Cruises
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Website: http://www.westportcruises.com/
Address: The Quay, Cloonmonad, Westport, Co. Mayo
Contact Details: +353 87 606 6146, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 6 PM
Fees:
- Individual Cruises
- Adults (18+) – €24 per person
- Senior (valid travel pass required) – €20 per person
- Student (valid ID required) – €20 per person
- Child (5 to 17) – €12 per person
- Infant (under 5) – Free
- Family Cruises
- 2 Adults & 1 Child – €55
- 2 Adults & 2 Children – €60
- 2 Adults & 3 Children – €65
- Extra Child (up to a maximum of 6 children per booking in total) – €6 per person
Westport Cruises provides a bit of everything for a complete family boat trip in Ireland. You’ll explore each of Clew Bay’s 365 islands—one for every day of the year!
Other than Ireland’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick, many look forward to seeing the dolphins and seabirds. The boats offer both indoor and outdoor seating too, making the trip comfortable for most weather types.
Fun idea:
Have a pair of binoculars? Take one to Westport Cruises for seal-spotting! There are distant Clare Island views worth checking out too, if you want to maximise your sightseeing.
7. Corrib Princess
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Website: https://corribprincess.ie/
Address: Waterside, Woodquay, Galway
Contact Details: +353 87 806 5366, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday – 12:30 PM to 6 PM
- Wednesday to Sunday – 12:30 PM to 4 PM
- Monday – Closed
Fees:
- Corrib Princess / Corrib Cruises (sailing from Ashford Castle & Lisloughrey)
- Adults – €25 (from Ashford Castle) / €20 (from Lisloughrey)
- Children – €10
- Corrib River Cruises (from Glenlo Abbey Estate)
- Adults – €19
- Teens (13 to 17) – €12
- Students/Seniors – €16
Corrib Princess offers a comfortable river and lake cruise for those who want to explore Galway—this is without having to deal with big rolling waves from the Atlantic.
You’ll leave from Woodquay and glide along the River Corrib and Lough Corrib—the country’s largest lake. This lets you bask in a bunch of historic estates, castles, and ruins, like you’re time-travelling in Ireland.
There are swans, herons (long-legged, long-necked birds), and cormorants (dark seabirds) too, so keep those cameras ready.
For the night owls:
Combine your Corrib Princess trip with a day at Galway’s Latin Quarter near the pier for an exciting nightlife! Galway, as a party town, has loads of shops, pubs, and cafes that showcase the city’s colourful vibe.
8. Cork Harbour Boat Hire
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Website: http://www.corkharbourboathire.com/
Address: 17 Westbourne Pl, Ballyvoloon, Cobh, Co. Cork
Contact Details: +353 86 074 7926, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Fees:
- Self Drive Boat Hire in Cobh, Ireland (1 hour, 4 adults maximum, ages 16+) – €70 per seat
- Harbour Rib Tour – (1.5 hours, up to 12 people, ages 8+) – €40 per seat
- Cork Harbour Sailing Tours (2 hours) – €60 per seat
- Harbour Fishing Trip (4 hours, 3 people maximum, ages 8+) – €300
Fancy a more hands-on boat adventure? Cork Harbour Boat Hire allows riders to take the wheel—literally! You’ll be on a small, easy-to-drive boat as you explore the harbour. Even better—no license needed! It’s just for a short spin, anyway.
You can cruise around Cobh’s vibrant waterfront, Haulbowline Island, Spike Island, and Roches Point Lighthouse at the harbour’s mouth—but this last one depends on whether you still have time.
Smart pointer:
Wear sunglasses if you’ll be driving on your Cork Harbour boat ride! The water reflections can get really strong, even on days with mild weather. And while you’re at it, you should apply (reapply sunscreen) too!
9. Dursey Boat Trips
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Website: http://durseyboattrips.com/
Address: The Pier, Garinish, Co. Cork
Contact Details: +353 83 898 9999, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 7 PM
Fees:
- Bull Rock Trip (1.5 hours) – €60
- Castletownbere Harbour Trip (1.5 hours) – €50
Do rugged coasts fascinate you? Dursey Boat Trips lets Ireland boat riders get an authentic taste of Dursey Island, one of the most remote and dramatic outposts in the country.
There are plenty of towering cliffs, hidden caves, and sea stacks (tall, steep rock columns) around here. But after the thrill, you can wind down and marvel at the sunset or capture the lighthouse and sea tunnel at Bull Rock.
Just a precaution:
Does anyone in the family have motion sickness? Don’t forget to take your meds for your Dursey boat trips! The open-sea waves can get pretty choppy, so it’s better safe than sorry.