Dublin: Dublin Bay Cruise from Howth to Dun Laoghaire

Dublin Bay looks best from the water, and this one-way cruise gives you a fine coastal sweep from Howth to Dun Laoghaire. I love the changing views, from Howth Head and Ireland’s Eye to Dalkey Island and the harbor entrance. I also like that you can make a full outing of it by taking the DART to Howth, sailing across the bay, then using the return discount voucher for the rail journey.

The main drawback is simple: this is a one-way boat ride, not a round trip. Space can feel limited inside, especially when the sea turns choppy, so bring comfortable clothes and be ready to move indoors if needed. The unnamed captain and crew have earned praise for friendly service, humor, and useful commentary.

Key points

• Howth to Dun Laoghaire in 60 to 70 minutes: A practical way to cross Dublin Bay while sightseeing.
• St Bridget offers coastal views from the water: Look for Ireland’s Eye, Lambay Island, Howth Cliffs, Howth Head, and several lighthouses.
• The DART makes this easy to plan: Take the train to Howth, cruise across, then use the discount voucher for your return journey.
• The route has plenty of visual variety: Cliffs, islands, wildlife areas, lighthouses, and two very different harbors fill the crossing.
• Drinks are available onboard: You can buy coffee or a glass of wine, but snacks and drinks are not included.
• The ride suits families and all ages: Infants are welcome, though a little flexibility helps if the water is rough.

Starting at Howth’s West Pier

Your trip begins at the West Pier in Howth, opposite Aqua Restaurant. This is a useful starting point because Howth is already one of Dublin Bay’s most appealing coastal stops. You can arrive by DART, spend some time around the harbor, then board the boat without needing a separate taxi transfer.

The cruise is operated aboard St Bridget, with departure times varying by date. Check the available sailing before building your day around it. The ride itself lasts about 60 to 70 minutes, which is long enough to see a good stretch of the bay without taking over your entire afternoon.

I like the way this setup lets you combine three kinds of Dublin transport in one outing: rail to Howth, boat across the bay, and rail back from Dun Laoghaire. The ferry ticket covers the cruise, and a DART discount voucher is provided for the return journey. The return train is not part of the boat ticket itself, so keep that distinction in mind when planning your budget.

Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island to the North

Once St Bridget leaves Howth, look north toward Ireland’s Eye and, farther out, Lambay Island. Ireland’s Eye is the closer and more noticeable island from this route. Its position off Howth gives the opening stretch a proper coastal feel, with the town and headland gradually shifting behind you.

Lambay Island appears farther north and helps you understand the wider shape of Dublin Bay. From street level, Dublin can feel like a city with a coastal fringe. From the boat, the relationship is clearer. The water links Howth, the northern bay, the central coast, and Dun Laoghaire into one broad setting.

This early part of the cruise is a good time to settle in and find your preferred viewing position. You might want to stay outside for the clearest photographs, then step inside for a break. The boat has onboard service, so you can buy coffee or a glass of wine during the crossing. Food and drinks are not included, and the available information does not promise a full meal service, so do not treat this as a lunch cruise.

Howth Cliffs and the Turn Around Howth Head

The route then runs past Howth Cliffs before rounding Howth Head. This is the most dramatic coastal portion of the journey, with the boat giving you a lower, wider view than a walk along the headland.

From a clifftop path, you look down toward the water. From St Bridget, you look back toward the rock faces and headland, which gives the coast a different scale. The boat’s movement also makes the view change quickly. One minute you are alongside the cliffs, and soon after you are looking across the open bay.

Howth Head is the point where the character of the trip changes. The boat moves from a close view of the northern headland toward a broader crossing of Dublin Bay. If you are sensitive to movement on the water, this is a sensible point to keep a hand free and choose a stable spot.

Comfortable shoes and comfortable clothing are the right call. You do not need formal clothes, and you should be prepared for conditions that may feel cooler or windier on the water than they did at the pier.

Baily Lighthouse and Kish Lighthouse

The cruise also gives you views of Baily Lighthouse and Kish Lighthouse. These are not quick decoration on the horizon. They help explain why this stretch of coast has such a strong maritime identity.

Baily Lighthouse sits on Howth Head and is tied closely to the headland view. Kish Lighthouse is farther out in Dublin Bay, marking a different part of the sea route. Seeing both from the boat gives you useful context: the bay is not just a scenic body of water, but a working stretch of water that needs clear navigation markers.

Exact visibility will depend on the weather and your position on the boat. You may get the best look from outside, but the sea can be choppy. One useful feature of this trip is that you are not forced to stay outside for the entire hour. If conditions become uncomfortable, you can spend part of the journey inside, then return outdoors when the water settles or the view improves.

That flexibility matters more than it sounds. One sailing has been described as having beautiful views but limited space, with some of the journey spent indoors when the sea became rough. I would treat that as a normal possibility rather than a fault unique to this trip.

Bull Island and the Open Bay Crossing

After passing Howth Head and the lighthouses, the boat continues across the bay toward Dun Laoghaire. Along the way, you pass the area around Bull Island, known as a wildlife sanctuary. This section feels more open than the early run beside Howth.

The change in scenery is one of the strongest reasons to choose the boat instead of simply taking the DART around the bay. A train is faster for getting from one side to the other, but the cruise shows you the shape of the bay itself. You see the coast from a distance, with land gradually becoming a low line rather than a wall of cliffs.

You should not expect a guided wildlife tour. The route passes a wildlife sanctuary, but the activity is a bay cruise with onboard commentary, not a dedicated bird-watching trip. Bring binoculars only if you already plan to carry them, and keep your expectations focused on the overall coastal view.

This middle section can be the quietest part of the sailing. It is a good moment to buy a coffee, listen to the commentary, or simply watch the shoreline shift. The captain and crew have been praised for friendly service and a good sense of humor, which can make the crossing feel more personal than a basic ferry transfer.

Dalkey Island and the Approach to Dun Laoghaire

As St Bridget heads toward the south side of the bay, Dalkey Island comes into view. This marks another change in the scenery. The route moves from the open central bay toward the more sheltered waters around Dun Laoghaire.

Dalkey Island is one of the most recognizable sights on this part of the coast. From the boat, you get a water-level view before continuing toward the harbor. The approach is a satisfying final act because you can see your destination taking shape instead of simply arriving at a hidden terminal.

The cruise finishes at Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier. This is a useful place to end because you can continue with food, drinks, or a walk around the harbor before taking the DART back. The supplied information specifically points to a DART discount voucher for the return journey, so check how and where it applies before leaving the boat.

The crossing is one way. That is important enough to repeat. If you board at Howth expecting to return by boat, you will need a separate plan. The DART is the intended practical solution, and it turns the outing into a loop rather than leaving you to arrange your own way back.

What the $28 Price Gives You

At $28 per person, the value depends on how you use the ride. You are paying for a scenic crossing of Dublin Bay, not only for transport. The ferry ticket, coastal views, onboard commentary, and DART discount voucher make the price reasonable for someone who wants an activity rather than the quickest route.

The value is strongest when you treat the trip as part of a day out. Take the DART to Howth, spend time around the harbor, board St Bridget, then explore Dun Laoghaire after arrival. If you only need to get from one side of Dublin Bay to the other, the cruise may take longer and cost more than a standard rail journey.

You will need to pay separately for anything you drink or eat onboard. Coffee and wine are available to buy, but neither is included. That is easy to manage, especially if you have already eaten in Howth or plan to stop in Dun Laoghaire.

The booking terms also add useful flexibility. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option means you do not have to pay at the time of booking. Check the selected date and starting time carefully, since sailing times vary.

Weather, Seating, and Family Comfort

This is a family-friendly outing suitable for all ages, including infants. The short duration helps. You are not committing to a full-day boat trip, and the arrival in Dun Laoghaire gives you an easy way to continue with your own plans.

Still, the sea is part of the experience. You might find the outside area more exposed than expected, and the interior can feel crowded if many people move indoors. Wear layers, choose practical shoes, and bring clothing that handles wind or light changes in temperature.

The available information does not give a precise group size or seating plan. I would avoid assuming that every passenger will have a perfect uninterrupted view. If taking photographs matters to you, arrive at the pier with enough time to board without rushing and try to claim a spot where you can look outside safely.

The ride has commentary, but you should not expect a formal guided tour with a named guide. The captain and onboard crew handle the sailing and service. Their friendly manner has been one of the strongest positives, with particular praise for the captain’s humor and welcoming approach, although no captain’s name is provided.

Who Will Enjoy This Bay Cruise Most

I would choose this cruise for several kinds of visitors:

• You want a scenic way to connect Howth and Dun Laoghaire.
• You enjoy seeing a city from the water instead of only from streets and viewpoints.
• You are planning a relaxed day using the DART and want one memorable segment in the middle.
• You are traveling with family and prefer an activity that lasts about an hour.
• You like coastal scenery, lighthouses, islands, and harbor approaches.
• You want a modestly priced outing without committing to a long boat tour.

I would think twice if you need a guaranteed outdoor seat, dislike boat movement, or want a round-trip cruise. The ride can be choppy, and limited indoor space may make the rougher moments less comfortable.

It also suits locals looking for a simple day out. The combination of boat travel, food or drinks in Dun Laoghaire, and a DART return gives the activity more value than the sailing alone.

Should You Book the Howth to Dun Laoghaire Cruise?

Book it if you want to see Dublin Bay as a connected coastal area, not just move through it by train. The route packs Howth Cliffs, Ireland’s Eye, Lambay Island, Baily Lighthouse, Kish Lighthouse, Bull Island, Dalkey Island, and Dun Laoghaire Harbour into roughly an hour.

I especially like it as a one-way plan: DART to Howth, boat to Dun Laoghaire, then DART back. That approach makes the transport work for you and avoids the disappointment of expecting a return sailing.

Skip it if the weather forecast looks poor and you are uncomfortable with choppy water, or if you need a large indoor area with guaranteed seating. For most people who pack sensibly and accept that this is a working boat rather than a luxury yacht, the $28 price is a fair deal for the views and the unusual way to cross Dublin Bay.

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 boat ride last?

The sailing takes about 60 to 70 minutes.

Is the cruise round trip?

No. It is a one-way sailing from Howth to Dun Laoghaire. You can return by DART rail.

Is the DART return included?

The ferry ticket includes a DART discount voucher for the return journey, but the return trip itself is not included as part of the cruise.

What can I see during the sailing?

You can see 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, though coffee and wine are available to buy onboard.

Is the cruise suitable for children and infants?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.