Dublin: Dublin Bay Cruise from Dun Laoghaire to Howth

Trade city streets for open water. This one-way cruise from Dun Laoghaire to Howth gives you a fresh view of Dublin Bay, with excellent coastal scenery and a pleasant route that doubles as transportation. I especially like seeing places such as Dalkey Island, Ireland’s Eye, and the Baily Lighthouse from the sea. The main drawback is weather: wind, rain, and a weak audio system can make the upper deck uncomfortable or the commentary hard to follow.

I also like that the boat arrives in Howth, where you can eat, walk, and explore before taking the DART back. The staff are friendly, and crew members such as Eugene have added a warm, personal touch for many passengers. Bring a jacket, even on a sunny day, because the bay can feel cold once the boat gets moving.

At $32 per person, this is not the cheapest way to move between Dun Laoghaire and Howth. But it is a good-value sightseeing trip if you were planning to visit both coastal towns anyway. You get a scenic boat ride, a discounted DART voucher, and views you simply cannot get from the train.

Key points to know before sailing

• The route links two of Dublin’s best seaside towns: Start at Dun Laoghaire and arrive at Howth, making this both a sightseeing trip and a useful one-way journey.
• The St Bridget offers views from several decks: The upper deck is best for photographs, while the covered lower area is useful when rain or wind arrives.
• Howth Harbor is a highlight: Keep watch for seals near the harbor as the boat approaches.
• The bay can change quickly: Calm sunshine may turn into wind and light rain, so comfortable clothes and a warm jacket matter.
• The DART makes the return simple: A discounted DART voucher is included, and the train lets you return to Dun Laoghaire after exploring Howth.
• Children under three travel free: The cruise suits families and all age groups, though young children should be watched carefully around the water.

Why this Dublin Bay cruise is worth considering

Dublin Bay is easy to admire from the shore, but the sea gives you a very different sense of the city. From the St Bridget, the built-up coast opens into a broad sweep of water, islands, headlands, lighthouses, and distant mountains. I like the fact that the view keeps changing without requiring a long day of organized sightseeing.

The cruise lasts about 60 to 70 minutes, described in the booking information as one hour. That is long enough to feel like a real outing, but short enough to fit into a busy Dublin schedule. You are not spending half a day on a boat with little to see.

The trip is especially useful if you want to combine Dun Laoghaire and Howth in one day. These are two different coastal places. Dun Laoghaire has its grand harbor and long piers, while Howth feels more like a traditional fishing village with seafood restaurants and coastal walks. The boat lets you experience the journey between them as part of the day rather than treating it as a dull transfer.

The $32 price makes the most sense when you value the scenery and were already planning to visit both towns. If you only need transportation, the DART is likely the more economical choice. If you want the journey itself to be part of your Dublin experience, the cruise earns its cost.

Boarding at Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier

The departure point is on East Pier in Dun Laoghaire, just before the Bandstand. Allow enough time to find the pier area and get settled before boarding. The location puts you right beside one of the harbor’s most recognizable public spaces, so you can enjoy a short walk along the waterfront if you arrive early.

Dun Laoghaire is a good starting point because the harbor gives the boat room to move out toward the open bay. As the St Bridget leaves, look back toward the piers and waterfront. The view changes quickly once you are on the water, and the town takes on a broader shape than it does from street level.

The boarding area is practical rather than theatrical. You are here to get onto the boat, not attend a formal harbor ceremony. Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking on a pier and moving between decks. The supplied guidance specifically recommends comfortable shoes and clothes, which is sensible advice for any open-water trip.

Aboard the St Bridget for 60 to 70 minutes

The St Bridget is the main attraction, and the best place to sit depends on the weather. On a dry, calm day, I would head upstairs for the widest views and clearest photographs. You can see across the bay with fewer obstructions, and the approach to Howth is particularly good from above.

The lower deck gives you shelter when the weather turns wet or windy. One rainy trip began with passengers sitting under cover and watching through the windows, then moving upstairs when the sun appeared. That flexibility is useful in Ireland, where a forecast can change before you finish your coffee.

The boat has room across its decks for viewing and taking photographs. Still, do not assume the upper deck will be comfortable for the entire journey. Wind can make the temperature feel much lower than it does on land, and even a smooth crossing can feel bumpy at times. One passenger described the ride as a little rough, while others found it very smooth and safe. Both experiences are possible, depending on the day.

The onboard commentary adds useful context through stories and myths connected with the bay. It gives the scenery more meaning than a silent boat ride would. The main weakness is the sound system. From the lower deck, the narration may be difficult to hear, especially when the weather keeps you inside. If hearing the commentary matters to you, sit upstairs or as close as possible to the audio source when conditions allow.

The crew help make the ride feel relaxed. Staff have been praised for being friendly and pleasant, and Eugene has been singled out for being helpful and for offering a good recommendation for chowder in Howth. That sort of human contact matters on a short trip. You are not just being moved from one pier to another.

The sights across Dublin Bay

The cruise presents a long list of coastal landmarks, but the value is in seeing how they fit together. The Dublin Mountains form a backdrop inland, while the islands and headlands give the bay its open character.

You may see:

• Dalkey Island, an offshore landmark near the southern side of the bay
• Joyce’s Martello Tower, a coastal defensive tower connected with James Joyce
• Ireland’s Eye, an island near Howth
• Lambay Island, farther out in the Irish Sea
• Baily Lighthouse, marking the rocky Howth Head area
• Bull Island, a wildlife reserve on the northern side of Dublin Bay

These sights are not all equally close or equally easy to identify from the deck. Visibility and the boat’s exact position will affect what you see. That is part of the nature of a sea journey. The bay is not a row of fixed exhibits, and you will get more from it if you pay attention to the changing shoreline rather than trying to check off every name.

The view of the Dublin Mountains is one of the best reminders that the capital has a striking setting. From the water, the city becomes less about individual streets and more about the relationship between the urban shore, the mountains, and the sea. That wider view is something the DART cannot provide.

The wildlife reserve on Bull Island adds another layer to the trip. You may also spot seabirds or other sea life, although wildlife is never guaranteed. One particularly lucky sailing included dolphins and a Portuguese man o’ war jellyfish. Treat those sightings as bonuses, not promises.

Arriving at Howth Harbor

The boat finishes at Howth’s West Pier, bringing you directly into the harbor area. The arrival is one of the strongest parts of the journey because Howth comes into view as a working coastal village rather than a distant photo stop.

Keep an eye on the water near the harbor entrance. Seals are a regular point of interest here, though sightings cannot be guaranteed. A seal swimming near the boat can turn the final few minutes into the most memorable part of the trip, especially for children.

Howth gives you room to continue the day at your own pace. You can stop for seafood, walk around the harbor, or set off on one of the area’s well-known coastal walks. The cruise itself does not include a guided tour of Howth, so you are free to decide how much time to spend there.

The village is known for fish restaurants, and the chowder recommendation from Eugene gives you a useful place to start looking for lunch. No restaurant meal is included in the $32 price, so plan for food separately. If you are visiting during a busy meal period, you may need patience, but the harbor setting makes a pause worthwhile.

Returning by DART after Howth

The cruise is one-way, and the included voucher provides a discount for a DART trip after sailing. This is a smart part of the arrangement. You can arrive in Howth by water, spend several hours exploring, then return by rail to Dun Laoghaire.

The DART return also keeps you from having to book a separate ferry back. A group of four used the train from Howth at the end of the day and returned to Dun Laoghaire without difficulty. The combination gives you two different views of Dublin Bay: the wide coastal view from the boat and the changing shoreline view from the train.

The return ferry may also be available as an option when boarding, but it is not included in the basic one-way fare. If you want a boat round trip, confirm the extra cost and availability before you leave Dun Laoghaire. Otherwise, plan around the DART discount and treat Howth as your finishing point.

There is a small practical issue here. The information describes the activity as ending at the meeting point, but the actual route is presented as a one-way sailing from Dun Laoghaire to Howth, ending at West Pier. For planning purposes, assume you finish in Howth and use the DART if you need to return.

Weather, comfort, and the best seat

Your choice of clothing will affect the quality of the trip more than almost anything else. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a jacket. Even on a bright day, the wind across Dublin Bay can be sharp.

If rain is falling at departure, do not assume the whole trip will be a washout. The covered lower deck lets you stay dry while still looking through the windows. If the clouds lift, head upstairs for the final approach to Howth.

The cruise is suitable for all ages, and children under three can join free. Families should find the short duration manageable, and the chance of seeing seals can keep younger passengers interested. Dogs have also been welcomed onboard, with one well-behaved dog named Murphy becoming a favorite among passengers. If you plan to bring a pet, confirm current rules when booking, since the supplied information does not set out a formal pet policy.

People who are sensitive to motion should know that the crossing can be bumpy. The trip is on a boat, not a glassy indoor viewing platform. On calm days it may feel very easy, but conditions on the bay can vary.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this experience to anyone who wants to see Dublin from a less familiar angle. It suits first-time visitors who want a scenic break from museums and busy streets, as well as local residents looking for a pleasant way to reach Howth.

It is a particularly good match for:

• Families wanting a short, simple activity
• Couples who enjoy coastal scenery and seafood stops
• Photographers looking for views of the islands and lighthouse
• Visitors combining Dun Laoghaire and Howth in one day
• People who prefer a relaxed boat ride to a longer organized tour
• Anyone who enjoys small surprises such as seals or dolphins

I would be more cautious if you need a fully sheltered, highly polished sightseeing experience with clear narration throughout. The audio may be hard to hear downstairs, and the upper deck is exposed to wind and rain. If your main goal is simply to get from one town to the other, take the DART instead.

Is $32 good value?

At $32 per person, the cruise costs more than a normal rail journey, so the value depends on what you want from the day. You are paying for the views, the boat ride, the chance to see wildlife near Howth, and the novelty of crossing Dublin Bay rather than traveling beside it.

The discounted DART voucher improves the overall value, especially if you plan to return to Dun Laoghaire after visiting Howth. The one-way format also saves you from repeating the same boat route. You get a different experience on the way back by rail.

I would book it on a clear or partly sunny day if possible, but do not cancel a Dublin plan at the first sight of clouds. The trip can still work in light rain because of the covered seating. Just understand that poor weather may limit your time on the upper deck and make the commentary harder to hear.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option give you some flexibility. That is useful when Dublin weather is uncertain, though you should still check the available sailing time before building the rest of your day around it.

Should you book the Dublin Bay Cruise?

Book this cruise if you want the journey to Howth to be part of your Dublin experience. The combination of open-water scenery, friendly staff, coastal landmarks, possible seal sightings, and a DART return makes it a memorable half-day plan.

Skip it if you need the lowest-cost transport, dislike wind and boat movement, or want commentary that can be heard clearly from every seat. For most people who enjoy the coast, though, the St Bridget offers a pleasant and reasonably priced change of pace. Bring a jacket, aim for the upper deck when the weather is good, and leave time in Howth for seafood or a walk.

FAQ

Where does the Dublin Bay Cruise start?

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

Where does the cruise finish?

The boat finishes at West Pier in Howth.

How long does the cruise take?

The sailing takes about 60 to 70 minutes. It is also described as a one-hour activity.

Is the cruise one-way or round trip?

The basic fare includes a one-way ferry trip from Dun Laoghaire to Howth. A return ferry may be available as an extra option when boarding.

How do I return to Dun Laoghaire?

A voucher for a discounted DART trip after the sailing is included. You can use the train from Howth to return to Dun Laoghaire after exploring.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $32 per person.

Can children join the cruise?

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

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. Bring a jacket because it can be cold and windy on the water.

Can I see seals during the trip?

You may see seals near Howth Harbor as the boat arrives, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.