Dublin: Dublin Bay Cruise from Dun Laoghaire to Howth

Dublin Bay is at its best from the water. On the St Bridget, you sail from Dun Laoghaire to Howth past islands, lighthouses, Martello towers, and the Dublin Mountains, then arrive beside Howth’s fishing harbor and its famous seals. I like the unusual route and the simple pleasure of reaching Howth by boat instead of taking the train.

I also like the easy length, about 60 to 70 minutes, and the friendly onboard staff. Eugene has been especially helpful to passengers, even pointing people toward good chowder in Howth. The main drawback is weather: the upper deck offers the best views, but wind and rain can make it cold, while the audio commentary may be hard to hear downstairs.

Key points at a glance

• Sail from Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier to Howth, crossing the full width of Dublin Bay.
• Board the St Bridget for views unavailable from the road or DART.
• Watch for seals at Howth Harbor, with occasional wildlife sightings on the crossing.
• Use the upper deck for photographs, but bring a jacket because the bay can feel cold.
• Combine the cruise with the DART, using the included discount voucher for the return journey.
• Pay about $32 per person for a scenic one-way trip, with children under 3 traveling free.

Why this short Dublin Bay cruise works so well

Many Dublin visitors see the coast from a train window or from the end of a pier. This trip gives you a different angle. The city recedes behind you, and the bay opens into a broad stretch of water framed by the Dublin Mountains, Dalkey Island, Howth Head, and the northern shoreline.

I like the fact that this is not a long commitment. You do not need to give up a full day or prepare for a complicated excursion. In roughly an hour, you get a pleasant boat ride, coastal views, and a practical way to reach Howth for lunch or a walk.

The cruise is also useful for people who have already seen central Dublin. You can spend the morning around Dun Laoghaire, board at the East Pier, and arrive in Howth with the day still ahead of you. The journey itself becomes part of the sightseeing rather than just transport between two places.

Starting at Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier

The departure point is on the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire, just before the Bandstand. That location is easy to pair with time around the harbor, though you should allow enough time to reach the pier before boarding.

Dun Laoghaire has a distinctly open, maritime feel. The pier gives you room to look across the bay before the boat leaves, and the harbor setting makes a good start to the trip. Once aboard, you can choose between the upper deck and the enclosed seating below.

I would head upstairs quickly if the weather is dry. The higher viewpoint is best for photographs and gives you a clear view as the boat pulls away. On a cold or rainy day, the lower area provides shelter, but the onboard commentary may be difficult to hear from there.

Comfortable shoes and comfortable clothing are sensible choices. You are not hiking, but you are spending time on a moving boat, and conditions can change quickly on the water. A jacket is worth bringing even on a bright day.

The 60 to 70-minute crossing

The voyage takes about 60 to 70 minutes, although the activity is also described as lasting one hour. Either way, this is a compact cruise rather than a full-day boat trip. You have enough time to settle in, take photographs, listen to the commentary, and enjoy the changing views without feeling stuck onboard for too long.

The St Bridget shows you parts of Dublin Bay that are difficult to appreciate from land. From the road, you pass quickly. From the DART, you see the coast in brief stretches. On the boat, you get a broad view of the shoreline and the water between the two harbors.

The bay can be calm and smooth, but it can also feel bumpy. One passenger described a rougher ride while still considering the trip worthwhile. If you are sensitive to motion, staying seated below may be more comfortable, though you will sacrifice some of the view and may hear less of the commentary.

The crew adds to the experience. Staff have been described as friendly and helpful, with Eugene singled out for giving good local advice about places to eat in Howth. That sort of practical help matters because the cruise ends in a town where you may want to make an immediate plan for lunch or a walk.

The islands, towers, and lighthouse along the way

The boat passes a long list of coastal markers and islands. You may see Dalkey Island, Ireland’s Eye, and Lambay Island, each giving the crossing a sense of distance and open space.

The route also includes views of Joyce’s Martello Tower and the Baily Lighthouse. These are not just decorative points for a camera. They help you read the shoreline, showing how Dublin Bay has been watched, defended, and navigated over time.

The Dublin Mountains provide the inland backdrop as you leave Dun Laoghaire. From the water, their relationship to the coast is easier to understand. You get a wide view instead of the tight street-level perspective found in the city.

Bull Island and its wildlife reserve are another notable part of the route. The boat gives you a view of the island from offshore, where the relationship between the bay, sand, and open sea is particularly clear. Keep your eyes open, but do not treat wildlife sightings as guaranteed.

One passenger saw dolphins during the crossing, and another spotted a Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish. These are occasional bonuses, not part of the promised program. The regular reward is the coastline itself, which remains worthwhile even when the water is quiet.

Arriving at Howth Harbor

The approach to Howth is one of the best parts of the ride. The coast feels more rugged as you near the fishing village, and the harbor gives you a clear sense that you have arrived somewhere distinct from Dublin city.

The cruise finishes at Howth’s West Pier according to the route information. The meeting details also describe the activity as ending back at the meeting point, so check the current departure information carefully when booking. The essential point is that this is sold as a one-way sailing from Dun Laoghaire to Howth, with a return ferry available as an option when boarding.

Howth is well suited to a flexible afternoon. You can eat at one of the fish restaurants, walk around the harbor, or continue along one of the coastal paths. The cruise does not include a guided walk or meal, so you are free to choose how much time you spend there.

The seals near Howth Harbor are a special treat. They often swim close to the harbor area, giving you a chance to see them soon after stepping off the boat. Bring a camera, but keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife moves on its own schedule.

How to plan the return journey

The cruise includes a voucher for a discounted DART trip after sailing. This makes the boat especially useful as a one-way scenic transfer rather than an isolated sightseeing ride.

A common plan is to sail from Dun Laoghaire to Howth, spend several hours in Howth, then take the DART back. The train gives you a fast and practical contrast to the boat, with a different view of the coast from land.

A return ferry can also be booked when boarding, but the supplied details do not give a separate return price or timetable. If you know you want to return by boat, ask about that option before setting out. Otherwise, the DART discount gives you a sensible backup.

This combination works well because the two journeys feel different. The ferry is slow enough for sightseeing and photographs. The train is useful when you are ready to get back without repeating the same route.

Is $32 good value?

At about $32 per person, this is not the cheapest way to move between Dun Laoghaire and Howth. You are paying for the experience of crossing the bay, not simply for a ticket from one suburb to another.

I think the price is fair if you care about scenery, photographs, or seeing Dublin from a fresh angle. The islands, lighthouse, Martello tower, wildlife reserve, and harbor approach give the trip plenty to look at. The included DART discount also helps if you plan to return by train.

The value is weaker if you only need practical transportation. The DART is likely to be the more direct choice for getting around, while the ferry depends more on weather and available sailing times. This cruise makes most sense when the journey itself is part of your day.

Children under 3 can join free, and the trip is suitable for all ages. That makes it a workable family outing, especially for children who enjoy boats and wildlife. Older children may get the most from the seals, islands, and open-air deck.

Weather, seating, and what to bring

Weather is the biggest variable. On a sunny, calm day, the crossing can feel smooth and spacious, with sailing boats scattered across the bay and clear views along the coast. On a wet or windy day, you may spend much of the trip below.

Bring a jacket even if the forecast looks good. The water can feel cold, and the upper deck is exposed. Wear shoes that are comfortable and secure rather than dress shoes or anything difficult to walk in.

The upper deck is the best choice for viewing and photographs. The lower deck is useful when rain arrives, but the recorded or onboard commentary may not carry clearly there. If hearing the stories matters to you, try to remain upstairs when conditions allow.

The commentary adds context through stories and myths connected with the coast. It is not the same as a long guided tour, and the volume has not always been ideal downstairs. Still, it gives the scenery more meaning than a silent crossing.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys coastal scenery, short boat trips, and flexible days. It suits couples, families, older visitors, and local residents who want a pleasant outing without leaving Dublin County.

It is also a good choice if you have already visited the main city sights. The cruise lets you spend time in two attractive harbor areas while adding a memorable crossing between them.

You may want to skip it if you dislike boats, need guaranteed calm conditions, or prefer a fully guided day with planned stops. This is a simple, scenic experience. Its pleasure comes from the bay, the changing weather, the views, and the freedom to explore Howth on your own.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to hold a place without paying immediately. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

The advertised price is $32 per person. The one-way ferry trip is included, while a return ferry is an optional extra. The DART discount voucher is included after the sailing.

The route information identifies the start as the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire and the finish as Howth’s West Pier. Since the meeting information also refers to the meeting point, confirm the exact current arrival details before you go.

Should you book the Dublin Bay Cruise?

Book it if you want to make the trip to Howth part of the sightseeing. The combination of open-water views, islands, lighthouses, the Baily Lighthouse, Bull Island, and seals near the harbor gives you a side of Dublin that the usual city tour misses.

I especially like the option of sailing one way and returning by DART. It turns a short cruise into a well-shaped day out, with no need to retrace your steps by boat.

Choose a dry day if you can, arrive ready for wind, and aim for the upper deck. At $32, the cruise is best judged as a scenic experience rather than basic transport. For that purpose, it offers good value and a memorable route into Howth.

FAQ

Where does the Dublin Bay Cruise start?

The cruise starts at the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire, just before the Bandstand.

Where does the cruise finish?

The route information states that the boat finishes at Howth’s West Pier.

How long does the cruise take?

The sailing takes about 60 to 70 minutes. The activity is also listed as lasting one hour, so check the exact timing when booking.

Is the trip one way?

Yes. The included ticket is a one-way ferry trip from Dun Laoghaire to Howth.

Can I return by ferry?

A return ferry is available as an option to book when boarding. A separate return price is not provided.

Is a DART return included?

A voucher for a discounted DART trip after the sailing is included. The train ticket itself is not described as included.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothing, and a jacket for the potentially cold conditions on the water.

Can young children join?

Yes. The trip is suitable for all ages, and children under 3 can join free of charge.