The 7 Best Boat Trips in Galway

1.Galway to Inisheer Aran Islands, Cliffs of Moher and Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,517 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $101Our pick

Travel from Galway to Inisheer, the smallest Aran Island, then view the Cliffs of Moher from the water and their 700-foot summit. Your local guide, including guides such as Alan, Phil, or Pavel, handles the timing while you explore the island for two hours. Ferry travel depends on weather.

“This trip was the highlight of our entire trip - so well done!!! The tour guide Phil was the best tour guide we ever had, anywhere! And everyone was right....if you want to see the cliffs, you need to see from the water. 100 percent correct!!! We also stopped at the top of the cliffs and if that was my only viewing of them I would have been disappointed. The trip to the island was also wonderful. Highly recommend doing the horse/carriage little tour. It's only 15 euro per person but gives you a little tour around the island and drops you at the pub for a little lunch. Overall…”

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2.Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher Tour & Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,283 reviews · from $91

Travel from Galway to Doolin, cross to Inis Oirr, then cruise beneath the Cliffs of Moher before visiting their famous rim. Guides such as Dave and Tommy add local stories and steady driving on narrow roads. Bring a jacket, sturdy shoes, and money for lunch and island activities.

“A great day! Just wish we had more time at the top of the cliffs, one hr is not enough.”

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3.Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher Day Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,261 reviews · from $68

Sail from Galway City to Inis Mór, the largest Aran Island, and spend 4.5 hours exploring by bike, minibus, or on foot. An English audio guide adds context, while the return cruise passes beneath the Cliffs of Moher, An Branán Mór sea stack, and a Harry Potter film cave.

“The ferry to Inishmore was very comfortable with great views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. On arrival at Inishmore, we caught a minibus driven by Patrick who took us to the highlights of the island. Patrick was very informative and had a great sense of humour. We stopped to climb up the hill to Dún Aonghasa. The views of the cliffs were fantastic. The ferry then went to the Cliffs of Moher. There was plenty of opportunity to take great photos with the ferry doing a 360⁰ so that everyone could see them. Highly recommended.Read more”

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4.Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher Day Cruise sailing from Galway City Docks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 418 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $72

Leave Galway City Docks at 9:30 a.m. for Inishmore, the largest Aran Island, with about 4.5 hours to bike, walk, or tour independently. On the return, the ferry passes the Cliffs of Moher, sea stacks, a Harry Potter filming cave, and waters known for puffins, dolphins, seals, and basking sharks.

“Amazing day on the ferry to Inishmore! We were lucky enough to have smooth enough water. We had plenty of time in the island. Half of our party stayed in the port while the other half rented eBikes. Great experience, highly recommend.”

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5.Small Group – Cliffs Cruise, Aran Islands AND Connemara in One Day from Galway

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 369 reviews · 8 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $151

Join guides such as Phil, Barry, or Sean for an 8-hour-45-minute circuit from Galway around Galway Bay. Cruise below the Cliffs of Moher, spend 2.5 hours on Inis Oirr, and return through Connemara. Bring warm layers, walking shoes, and lunch money.

“Exceptional full day experience circumventing Galway Bay by coach and boat. Sean was an excellent guide full of great information and insights.”

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6.County Galway Killary Fjord 1.5-Hour Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 337 reviews · from $31Best value

Board the wheelchair-accessible Connemara Lady at Nancy’s Point in Leenane for a 90-minute cruise along Killary Fjord. You’ll hear commentary on the area’s history, geology, and stories while enjoying indoor seating, an outdoor deck, and optional meals and drinks from the galley.

“Very smooth sailing, amazing scenery and informative commentary. Great all round family trip”

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7.Aran Island, Cliffs of Moher & Cruise tour from Galway. Guided.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 137 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $147

Spend a full day traveling from Galway through the Burren to Doolin, ferrying to Inisheer, then cruising beneath the Cliffs of Moher before visiting them on foot. Guides such as Alan, Pavel, Gerry, and Phil add Irish history and humor. Bikes and pony traps cost extra, and rough seas are possible.

“Amazing trip! Alan was super knowledgeable and kept the content fun and interesting. We were so pleasantly surprised by the Aran Islands, which were not at all on our radar and would have been completely missed had they not been part of this tour. Truly one of the most memorable stops of our week in Ireland. The Cliffs were incredible, as expected!”

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