Unwind in Nature’s Beauty with Cork Boat Tours
When you're looking to discover Cork from a completely different perspective, nothing compares to the magic of exploring Ireland's rebel county from the deck of a boat. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or revisiting the city, Cork boat tours should be on your to-do list to experience its breathtaking coastline and rich maritime heritage.
What makes Cork Boat Tours Unmissable?
While there are plenty of things to do in Cork when exploring on foot, the pace slows when you step onto a boat and glide along the River Lee. From the top deck, you’ll enjoy 360-degree views of Cork Harbour, the second largest natural harbour in the world in all its glory. These tours also reveal Cork’s rich maritime heritage, its role in Irish emigration history, and how the river shaped the city’s growth.
Wondering what to do when it rains? Our guide to rainy-day activities in Cork has a plenty of fun ideas to keep you entertained indoors.
Popular Cork Boat Tours
For a classic experience, Cork Harbour Cruises offers two-hour scenic guided tours departing regularly from Custom House Quay. These family-friendly journeys are perfect when you want comprehensive harbour exploration without rushing. Along the way, you’ll pass highlights such as Blackrock Castle, Haulbowline Naval Base, Spike Island, and Cobh.
Cork Harbour Boat Hire provides more adventurous options. Whether it is on their self-drive boats, RIB (rigid inflatable boat) tours or sailing tours, they have something for everyone.
If you’re looking for an adventure off the beaten path, the Bull Rock trip with Dursey boat trips is a must. As you leave the shore behind, you’ll head toward one of Ireland’s most dramatic natural wonders. Bull Rock isn’t just a towering sea stack, it’s home to thousands of seabirds and even has a massive tunnel running right through it. Cruising around the rock feels otherworldly, with crashing waves on one side and may be a curious dolphin popping up on the other. It’s the kind of trip that makes you fall in love with West Cork’s wild beauty.
A trip with Whale Watch West Cork is the perfect mix of adventure and awe. Setting off from Baltimore, you’ll sail past rugged coastline and scattered islands before reaching the open waters where whales and dolphins thrive. Depending on the season, you might spot minke, fin, or even humpback whales surfacing nearby, alongside pods of playful dolphins racing the boat.
Cork Sea Safari takes things up a notch with high-speed RIB adventures. This half day adventure will take you all the way to the historic coastal town of Kinsale, combining Cork harbour tours with coastal exploration. You'll experience dramatic cliffs, hidden caves, and secluded bays that larger vessels simply can't reach.
Getting to Cork
Cork International Airport has daily flights from many UK and European airports, as well as a transatlantic flight from North America. The 10-minute journey to Cork city centre can easily be made using the airport bus or by taxi/car hire. Cork also has excellent rail links throughout Ireland, with Kent station located just a 10-minute walk from the heart of the city, but if you’re travelling on a budget, then a bus is often your best bet. Travel times by road vary, but a trip down from Dublin via the M8 motorway takes around 2.5 hours.
Where to stay in Cork
Maldron Hotel South Mall and Maldron Hotel Shandon are both convenient bases for families and groups travelling to Cork. Located smack bang in the middle of the city, both hotels are short walks from the city’s main attractions, including restaurants, parks, live music, family-friendly activities. Featuring spacious rooms and comfortable beds, both Cork City hotels are equipped with all the essentials for a great stay in Cork city.
Staying in Cork?
