Review: A Dublin Bay Boat Tour on The Goat Boat
This is the best tour that I've done in Dublin!
You spend an hour on the water seeing beautiful Dublin Bay on the Goat Boat. You'll see seals, sea birds, and if you're lucky, dolphins and porpoises. The captain will give a running commentary. Conor was in charge for my tour and he knows his stuff about Dún Laoghaire Harbour, the Martello Towers, Dalkey Island, and Killiney Bay.
What is the Goat Boat?
The Goat Boat is an 11 seater rigid inflatable boat. They had it custom designed and built in Ireland specifically for this tour. It can go as fast as 75km/hr but they limit it to 45km/hr for their tours.
The Experience
It starts at their waterside office, where you are given an all weather suit, a lifejacket and binoculars. There's only 11 seats so it's a small group and I easily got chatting to the other passengers. Conor told me that it's 90% Irish people who come on the boat, so if you're visiting from overseas, it's a good way to meet some Irish locals.
Getting Out On The Water
Then we boarded the boat. There's no bad seats on it. And slowly sailed out of the harbour passing sail boats and Conor told us about the big ones, how much they cost and who owned them.
Once we got in the open water, he let loose on the engines and we were gliding along at about 45km/hr. It was perfectly safe and just a ton of fun!
The Highlights
I do walking tours on this exact route, know it intimately and even I learned things like some of the sneaky ways the rich folk found to get around Dublin's notorious planning laws when building their sea front mansions.
We got so close to Dalkey Island that I could nearly jump on it. But the best was when we got to Killiney Bay. Wow, wow, wow! What sights.
We even saw the naked guy on his private beach (you have to go on the tour to hear the full story). I didn't use my binoculars here 😂
It was one of the warmest days of the year and I could have been in the Bay Of Naples. All the swimming spots were packed but I felt like a VIP watching them all from the water.
All too soon, we were flying along the water back to Dún Laoghaire. Everyone had huge smiles on their faces. What a blast!
Why You'll Love It
- You get to see the best part of Dublin, its coast.
- It's so far removed from Temple Bar and usual tourist stuff
- You literally get a different perspective on Dublin
- Conor was brilliant, very friendly & easy going
- The Goat boat is made for these waters
The Perfect Day By The Sea
Make it a perfect coastal day. I'll bring you on a walking tour along the Sea Route, which is Dublin's most stunning coastal walk, and we'll time our walk so you arrive perfectly in time for the Goat Boat tour. You'll see coastal Dublin by land and sea in one perfect day
Darragh
The Verdict
10/10. The most fun tour that I've done in Dublin. Very highly recommended .
Practical Details
- There's only eleven seats on the boat, so book early, especially on weekends.
- They do give you all weather jackets & pants to keep you warm. But I would dress warmly yourself with layers and a hat that won't fly off.
- Get there 15 minutes early to put on this gear
Times & Tickets
- There's boat tours all year, even in the winter
- Multiple tours per day and sunset tours
👉Check Schedule and Book Your Spot
Getting There
- Take the DART Train to Dun Laoghaire. As the train approaches Dun Laoghaire station, keep an eye out on the left and you'll see their big yellow banner. It's a ten minute walk from the station.
Here is the exact spot.
Stay By The Water
Want to make a proper seaside getaway of it? Dún Laoghaire is a brilliant base for your time in Dublin. It is just 20 minutes to Dublin city but on the coast for a more local & scenic experience.
Haddington House - Boutique hotel in a restored Victorian mansion with a cocktail lounge that rivals any city bar. They give you Merino wool hot water bottles and free bikes to explore the coast. My top pick for coastal Dublin.
👉Check Rates & Availability
Royal Marine Hotel - A 200-year-old Dublin classic where you can have afternoon tea with proper Bridgerton vibes. Has a pool for when Dublin Bay is too bracing. Perfect spot to unwind after a day on the water.
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My Dublin Hotel Picks Sorted by Luxury, City, Airport & Budget with real guest experiences and my honest thoughts.
Photos
Dublin Bay Boat Tour Goat Boat Dún Laoghaire
