Dublin from the water
The best Dublin boat tours and river cruises
A River Liffey cruise, the Jeanie Johnston tall ship, seals and Dalkey Island in Dublin Bay, and a fast boat ride from Dún Laoghaire: here is which boat to book, with honest advice on what happens in bad weather, getting to the start, and whether it is worth the price.
See our 5 picks
The best Dublin boat tour for a first visit is the River Liffey cruise: 45 minutes, from €21. It leaves from Seán O'Casey Bridge and passes the Docklands and the Jeanie Johnston. For sea air and wildlife, the Dublin Bay boats from Dún Laoghaire start from €28.
Our 5 picks for Dublin boat tours
Two river picks in the city centre, then two Dublin Bay boats, then a cheap combo with only 2 reviews.
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from €21 per person Our top pick 45 minutes 4.4 (5,455) reviews on GetYourGuide
River Liffey sightseeing cruise
A 45-minute cruise with a live guide through the Docklands, past the Jeanie Johnston to the edge of Dublin Port. Sailings depend on the tide.
Best for A first visit, all ages
Check availability: River Liffey sightseeing cruise on GetYourGuide - from €16 per person
Moored ship
Jeanie Johnston
50 minutes 4.7 (630) reviews on GetYourGuide
Jeanie Johnston tall ship and famine history
A guided tour on board the Jeanie Johnston, a tall ship moored on Custom House Quay. You hear the stories of the emigrants who sailed on her. It is a moored ship, not a cruise.
Best for History lovers and families
Check availability: Jeanie Johnston tall ship and famine history on GetYourGuide -
from €28 per person 1 hour 4.9 (19) reviews on GetYourGuide
Guided boat tour around Dublin Bay
A 1-hour boat trip with live commentary. You see Poolbeg Lighthouse, Dalkey Island and Howth Head from the water, and may spot dolphins, seals and seabirds.
Best for Views of the bay at a low price
Check availability: Guided boat tour around Dublin Bay on GetYourGuide -
from €50 per person 1 h 30 min 4.8 (46) reviews on GetYourGuide
History and wildlife RIB tour
A 1.5-hour ride on a fast rigid inflatable boat (RIB) across Dublin Bay. Waterproof jacket, trousers, life jacket and binoculars are included. Look out for seals and seabirds.
Best for Wildlife fans and thrill seekers
Check availability: History and wildlife RIB tour on GetYourGuide - from €10 per person
3 hours
Walk and cruise
3 hours 3.2 (2) reviews on GetYourGuide
Audio-guide walk with a river cruise option
A phone audio guide to 23 spots in 8 languages. Only the dearer option adds a 45-minute river cruise with a live guide. The cheapest option has no cruise.
Best for A budget walk, if you check the option
Check availability: Audio-guide walk with a river cruise option on GetYourGuide
Dublin boat tours compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Starts at | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Liffey sightseeing cruise | €21 per person | 45 minutes | Seán O'Casey Bridge, city centre | A first visit, all ages | The only river cruise in the centre, with 5,455 reviews. |
| Jeanie Johnston tall ship and famine history | €16 per person | 50 minutes | Custom House Quay, city centre | History lovers and families | Irish famine history on a real tall ship, from €16. |
| Guided boat tour around Dublin Bay | €28 per person | 1 hour | West Pier, Dún Laoghaire | Views of the bay at a low price | Rated 4.9 from 19 reviews, from €28. |
| History and wildlife RIB tour | €50 per person | 1 h 30 min | Coal Harbour, Dún Laoghaire | Wildlife fans and thrill seekers | The best chance to see seals, with all the gear included. |
| Audio-guide walk with a river cruise option | €10 per person | 3 hours | Depends on the option | A budget walk, if you check the option | The cheapest way onto the river, but rated 3.2 from only 2 reviews. |
River Liffey sightseeing cruise
€21 per person45 minutes 4.4 (5,455)
Details
- Starts at
- Seán O'Casey Bridge, city centre
- Who it suits
- A first visit, all ages
- Why we picked it
- The only river cruise in the centre, with 5,455 reviews.
Jeanie Johnston tall ship and famine history
€16 per person50 minutes 4.7 (630)
Details
- Starts at
- Custom House Quay, city centre
- Who it suits
- History lovers and families
- Why we picked it
- Irish famine history on a real tall ship, from €16.
Guided boat tour around Dublin Bay
€28 per person1 hour 4.9 (19)
Details
- Starts at
- West Pier, Dún Laoghaire
- Who it suits
- Views of the bay at a low price
- Why we picked it
- Rated 4.9 from 19 reviews, from €28.
€50 per person1 h 30 min 4.8 (46)
Details
- Starts at
- Coal Harbour, Dún Laoghaire
- Who it suits
- Wildlife fans and thrill seekers
- Why we picked it
- The best chance to see seals, with all the gear included.
Audio-guide walk with a river cruise option
€10 per person3 hours 3.2 (2)
Details
- Starts at
- Depends on the option
- Who it suits
- A budget walk, if you check the option
- Why we picked it
- The cheapest way onto the river, but rated 3.2 from only 2 reviews.
- None of the 5 includes hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point.
- All 5 offer free cancellation.
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 25 October 2026. Prices are “from” prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
River Liffey cruises
The River Liffey cruise is run by Dublin Discovered and takes 45 minutes. It leaves from Seán O'Casey Bridge, in the city centre.
You pass the Docklands and the Jeanie Johnston and reach the edge of Dublin Port. A live guide talks you through the city as you go. Sailings depend on the tide, so the company may contact you to move your time.
Dublin Bay boat tours
Dublin Bay boats leave from Dún Laoghaire, not the city centre. Plan your trip to the harbour before you book.
The guided bay tour is a calm 1-hour trip to see Poolbeg Lighthouse, Dalkey Island and Howth Head. The Goat Boat Tours RIB is faster and wetter, with gear for all weather. It is for ages 7 and up, and at least 130 cm tall.
Boat tours and the weather
Check each tour's weather rule before you book. GetYourGuide's terms say that if a supplier cancels for bad weather, you get the price you paid back.
The RIB tour runs rain or shine. If you choose not to board, you get no refund, but you can move your booking. The River Liffey cruise depends on the tide.
Seeing more of Dublin
The river cruise and the Jeanie Johnston are both in the city centre, so you can pair them on the same day.
After the cruise, a Dublin city tour hop-on hop-off bus is an easy way to reach the rest of the sights.
Tips for Dublin boat tours
Arrive early
The Dublin Bay tour asks you to arrive 15 minutes before it leaves.
Seasickness
The Dublin Bay tour is not for people prone to seasickness.
Check the option
On the audio-guide walk, the cheapest option has no river cruise. Pick the cruise option if you want to sail.
Free cancellation
All five can be cancelled for a full refund up to 24 hours before. Check the cut-off on the booking page.
Dublin boat tours: questions and answers
What is the best boat tour in Dublin?
How long is a boat tour in Dublin?
Can I take a boat trip on Dublin Bay?
What happens if my boat tour is cancelled for bad weather?
More Dublin boat tours, live
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
See every tour with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.
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Sources (1), facts checked on 25 October 2026
Written by the Things to Do in Dublin editorial team.