Cliffs of Moher by boat? Suggestions?

Posted by Lorri in Ann Arbor on 02/24/25 12:11 AM

We will be visiting Ireland in early June. I just saw that some of the trails by the Cliffs or Moher will be closed this year, and seeing the Cliffs is something we are hoping to do. I'd also like to take a ferry to the Aran Islands, so maybe we can combine the 2?

My question is: do you have any recommendations for day trips/tours/ferries to the Aran Islands that would include passing by the Cliffs? It seems like Doolin will still have some trails open, so maybe basing from there rather than Galway?

My plans are very flexible right now. Haven't booked anything but our flights in and out of Shannon so far.

Thank you!

Posted by Teresa

Vancouver

02/24/25 02:25 PM

41 posts

We stayed in Doolin and took the ferry from Doolin to Inis Oirr (aka Inisheer) Island on a day trip. Here's the ferry website: https://doolinferry.com/aran-islands/.

You can see the Cliffs of Moher really well from the water. Also, Doolin is a great village to stay (good ambience, accommodation, friendly pub often with traditional music in the evening), and there is public transit to visit the Cliffs of Moher visitor center and walk along the top of the Cliffs of Moher.

The Inis Oirr (Inisheer) Aran island is car free, and for a reasonable price we took a "pony and trap" (open air cart) on a little tour. These are local drivers, very authentic and fun.

There's a bus from Galway to Doolin (the #350) if you don't have a car. It's an interesting bus trip, past the Burren karst landscape, not too long from Galway.

Posted by CD in DC

Washington, DC USA

02/24/25 03:10 PM

580 posts

What I read in several places is that only the 6 km southern part of the trail is closed (from Nags Head to visitor center). This is a very nice walk but the 8 km northern part which you can access from Doolin is also very scenic and remains open. So, you can still see the cliffs from the water and hike part of the trail if you wish.

Posted by eksahlman

02/24/25 09:50 PM

2 posts

see the other thread on the cliffs closure for an update

Posted by Lorri in Ann Arbor OP

02/25/25 01:05 AM

30 posts

Thank you for your responses.

Is booking a ferry something I need to do far in advance or is it just as simple as getting the ticket on that day?

Posted by Teresa

Vancouver

02/25/25 01:56 AM

41 posts

I don't know how crowded the ferry would be, but the website I put into my other response has an email contact for them, and perhaps you can tell them when you'd like to go and ask them.

Posted by jjgurley

Mountains of S. Oregon

02/25/25 02:15 PM

843 posts

Doolin Ferry offers a trip to any of the Aran Islands and will combine it with a separate trip past the Cliffs (and back). There's just a brief stop at the pier to exchange the passengers that only reserved one voyage. Definitely get reservations in advance - I'd suggest reserving as soon as you're reasonably confident in your itinerary.

The trip to the Cliffs is about 45 minutes long and travels south then back north from Doolin Pier. You probably don't get the exact experience of looking over the edge, but you get to see marine birds and mammals. Bad weather can be an issue but June's odds are pretty good.