Howth from Dublin: 15 Coastal Days Out

1.Half-Day Guided Coastal Tour to Howth Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,331 reviews · from $45Our pick

Ride from central Dublin to Howth for a one-hour guided walk on the cliffs and 75 minutes to explore the village, see St. Mary’s Abbey or find seafood. Guides such as Jerry, James and Robbie have led tours, though your guide will vary. The trip includes return transport and runs twice daily.

“Incredibly funny and good guide! Nice afternoon out of the city center. Enjoyable and recommended!”

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2.Howth Coastal Half-Day Bus Tour from Dublin with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 652 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $48

This four-hour Big Bus Tours trip leaves central Dublin for Howth Summit and the fishing village, with a cliff walk and free time in town. Choose a 9:45 a.m. or 2 p.m. departure. Guides such as Gerry, Jerry, Ross and Dom have shared local stories, jokes and practical help along the way.

“The tour was brilliant, primarily because of our guide Gerry! We were lucky to have a clear, bright sunny afternoon. Gerry was very informative, friendly & helpful! Howth was a lovely town, with wonderful options for seafood if you fancy a good meal. Do t miss the chowder at the Oar House. Definitely recommend this tour to get out of Dublin for a few hours. Bring comfortable walking shoes and keep in mind some walkways maybe muddy.”

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3.Howth Coastal Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 644 reviews · from $28

From Howth’s West Pier, take a 50-minute boat trip around Ireland’s Eye with an English-speaking skipper. Look for seals and seasonal seabirds, including puffins, and see the Stack, sea caves and Howth Cliffs from the water. Skippers include Harry, Maggie and Kim, though your guide may vary. Wildlife sightings and live music are not guaranteed.

“Such a wonderful opportunity to explore the Irish coast. Harry was a fantastic guide, thoughtfully bringing us near and pointing out fauna, flora, and landmarks of interest.”

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4.Dublin Panoramic e-Bike Tour with Howth Adventures

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 544 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $83Top rated

Cycle Howth’s harbour, coast, heathland and hilltop viewpoints on a three-hour e-bike tour capped at eight people. Your guide sets the pace and shares local stories, while electric assistance helps on the climbs. Bikes and helmets are included. You’ll meet at Howth Yacht Club at 11 am and finish there.

“What a glorious morning spent with Connor and his crew! We spent a few exhilarating hours biking in the fresh air, through the countryside, along the water, into the hills, along the cliff path and through neighborhoods. Connor shared historical facts, local insights, some personal stories of his years in the area, and quirky anecdotes about the community from past and present. We made new friends, were treated like family, and I even got a wee Irish sunburn on my nose! A lovely and brilliant day!”

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5.Howth Cliffs and Lighthouse Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 441 reviews · from $28

Join Howth Cliff Cruises at the end of West Pier for a 50-minute coastal boat trip, with about 45 minutes cruising past Howth Cliffs, Balscadden Bay, Howth Lighthouse and Ireland’s Eye. Your English-speaking captain provides live commentary on local wildlife, rock formations and Howth’s past. You may spot seals and seabirds, though sightings and the route depend on conditions.

“Although we had very rough waves when we set out, the captain of the boat gave us options about were we could go to avoid the rough seas. He took us on an alternate route and surprised us with some wonderful sights on less choppy waters!”

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6.Howth Cliffs and Ireland’s Eye Ferry Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 365 reviews · 50 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) · from $24Best value

Leave Howth Harbour aboard the Puffin for a roughly one-hour coastal cruise past the Baily Lighthouse and Howth cliffs, then around Ireland’s Eye. Captain Mark’s family has fished and toured these waters for generations. Expect island and wildlife views, recorded commentary that may be joined by live narration, and open-air seating exposed to the weather.

“This boat tour was a very nice experience. The staff checking the tickets was very friendly. The boat was nice and tidy and we had enough space to watch this or the other side. So we could highly recommend this tour. The only thing we would have appreciated more, would have been some more personal touch, like a short welcome by the captain, telling us something about the tour, which direction we would go, what to expect to see and so on. Some information came from a tape through a loud speaker and was not always clear to understand. And we couldn't ask any question if we had some. We…”

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7.Howth Coast and Ireland’s Eye Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 301 reviews · from $27

Set out from Howth Harbour for a 45-minute cruise around Ireland’s Eye, with views of the island, its Martello Tower, Howth Head and Balscadden Bay. Your captain provides live commentary, though the route depends on sea conditions. You may spot seals and seabirds, including puffins, but landing on the island is not included.

“This was a beautiful tour. everyone was wonderful to work with. The tour guide was informative, had a great sense of humor. The whole experience was enjoyable!”

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8.Dublin Coastal Hike with Howth Adventures

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 289 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $47

Meet your guide at Howth Market for a three-hour coastal hike through the fishing village, past St Mary’s Abbey and up to Howth Summit. Expect steep, sometimes muddy paths, wide views of Dublin Bay and local stories along the way. Guides such as Zach and Rob lead small groups of up to 10; Loki the dog has joined some outings.

“Rob was very friendly and knowledgeable and took great care to make sure that everyone was ok. People need to be aware that there are some very steep hiking sections at the beginning.”

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9.Howth Safari Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 279 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $71

Meet your guide in Howth for fresh scones, tea or coffee, then hike roughly 6 to 9 miles over heathland, cliff paths and rocky ground. You’ll pass Martello Tower Sutton and Baily Lighthouse, with sea caves on the route when tides allow. Guides such as Zack, Shane and Dee share local stories along the way.

“The meeting spot is very easy to find. Zach was our guide and Loki, the dog, came with us. Zach gave us information about the history of Howth and Ireland itself. Loki is very cute and well trained and she even knew when she had to pose for a picture. The level of walking/hiking in our group was very different but Zach really tried his best to let everyone feel included and gave some easier en more difficult options along the route. I really liked the local feeling. It was a very relaxing day, beautiful nature, nice talks and we tried a local beer at the end.”

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10.Howth Coastal Boat Tour (Ireland’s Eye Ferries 50 mins trip)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 200 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $30

From Howth pier, join a skipper and a group of up to 11 for a roughly 50-minute to one-hour coastal cruise past the cliffs, Ireland’s Eye and the harbour seal colony. Expect live commentary on local history and wildlife, plus Irish music. Guides have included Harry, Maggie, Shane and Lily. Wildlife and route can vary with the season and sea conditions.

“Lily was a great captain and guide even in the rough sea. She pointed out many chicks and sea lions. Glad we went.”

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11.Sunset Cruise in Howth

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 149 reviews · from $30

Take a one-hour sunset cruise from Howth’s West Pier, circling out toward Ireland’s Eye and Dublin Bay. Your English-speaking captain shares stories about the island, local history and seabirds. Wildlife can include seals and seabirds, with puffins sometimes spotted. Captains Ollie and George have been praised for their warm, attentive approach, though you cannot request a particular guide.

“Myself and my partner absolutely loved our trip, it was a beautiful sunset and really enjoyed the views.”

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12.Dublin Bay Cruise from Dun Laoghaire to Howth

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 139 reviews · from $32

Take the St Bridget from Dun Laoghaire to Howth on a 60 to 70-minute, one-way cruise across Dublin Bay. Look for Dalkey Island, Ireland’s Eye, Bull Island and the Baily Lighthouse, then watch for seals near Howth Harbour. The boat has indoor seating and an upper deck; a discounted DART voucher is included for your onward journey.

“Really friendly staff. Great day out. Brought our dog Murphy who proved a hit with the other passengers. Will definitely do it again.”

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13.Howth Coastal Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 116 reviews · from $44

Join a local guide for a three-hour hike through Howth village, heathland and cliff paths. You’ll pass St Mary’s Abbey, climb to the Ben of Howth and take in views of Baily Lighthouse, Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains. Guides including Zack, Dee, Charlie and Sean have led outings; dogs have joined some, but aren’t guaranteed.

“Dee and Afrik were so lovely. This was the best hiking tour I’ve ever been on, Dee’s enthusiasm and passion for teaching was a delight. Such beautiful views.”

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14.Ferry from Howth to Ireland’s Eye island

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 83 reviews · from $27

From Howth Harbour, a local captain takes you by ferry to Ireland’s Eye, an uninhabited island and bird sanctuary off the coast. The crossing takes about 15 to 20 minutes each way. If conditions allow, you can land by steep steps, walk to the Martello tower, look for puffins and cormorants, or swim from the west beach. There is no island guide.

“Incredible experience for the adventure seekers. We had a great time exploring the island.”

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15.Howth Hiking Trail from Dublin: Mythology and Legend

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · from $46

Leave Dublin by train for a guided, roughly 11 km walk around Howth. A Spanish-speaking guide leads you through woodland, past Howth Castle and a dolmen, and up to views of Dublin Bay and Baily Lighthouse. Expect Irish legends, nature stops, and a forest picnic break. Bring food and sturdy shoes; the train ticket costs about €6 extra.

“He's just the best guide I've ever met. And the tour is just beautiful, he show us the best places in there. I really recomend to do his tours because I'm gonna do them all. Just perfect, everything so friendly and carefully chose.”

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