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KillarneyCruises & boat tours

Our most recommended Killarney Cruises & boat tours

Lakes of Killarney: Boat Cruise

1. Lakes of Killarney: Boat Cruise

Discover the lakes of Killarney on this scenic cruise. Enjoy a voyage to Lough Léin with panoramic views of the lakes, islands, and castles of Killarney National Park. Relax as you watch the sights pass by from your modern, heated, glass-covered boat, guided by your local captain and guide. Depart from 15th-century Ross Castle, as you make your way past some of Killarney's most famous landmarks. Drift past the ruins of St. Finian’s 6th-century monastery on Innisfallen Island. Continue to the foot of the MacGillycuddy Reeks to view Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil. Pass Ross Island as your captain points out the flora of the area, including the ancient oak and yew forests and learn about the unique ecosystem of the area.

Killarney: Combination Jaunting Car & Lake Cruise Tour

2. Killarney: Combination Jaunting Car & Lake Cruise Tour

Experience the most beautiful part of Ireland in the most memorable way. See the Killarney National Parklands and the famous Lakes of Killarney on a jaunting car, combined with a lake cruise and live commentary. Jump aboard a traditional jaunting car and ramble through the Killarney National Park and Ross Castle with the local jarvey. Discover the history and folklore of the area and bump into the odd leprechaun if you're lucky. Continue through Killarney’s deer park and admire the majestic Irish red deer and Sika deer graze before arriving at the wonderfully restored 15th century Ross Castle. Take a cruise on Killarney’s largest and most picturesque lake, Lough Léin in the comfort of a covered, heated, and modern vessel. Drift through the islands and take in the natural beauty of your surroundings. With live commentary from your captain, hear about the heritage of local attractions, including O’Sullivan’s Cascade and the monastic ruins of Innisfallen Island, Bricin Bridge, and the copper mines.  

Killarney: Guided Boat Tour to Innisfallen Island

3. Killarney: Guided Boat Tour to Innisfallen Island

Boats depart from Reen Pier (near Ross Castle) in our red and black traditional boats. Enjoy a 10 minute boat ride out to Innisfallen island, you will then explore the island for 30-45 mins. Your guide will educate you about the history of the Island and the wildlife that inhabit the island. The boat will then travel back to Reen Pier. Innisfallen is home to the ruins of Innisfallen Abbey, one of the most impressive archaeological remains dating from the early Christian period found in the Killarney National Park. The monastery was founded in 640 by Saint Finan the Leper and was occupied for approximately 950 years. Over a period of about 300 of these, the monks wrote the Annals of Innisfallen, which chronicle the early history of Ireland as it was known to the monks. The island is also home to a heard of Sika Deer, explore the 21 acre island and if your lucky you might spot these beautiful animals.

Killarney: Gap of Dunloe Walking and Boat Tour

4. Killarney: Gap of Dunloe Walking and Boat Tour

Enjoy a trip across the beautiful Lakes of Killarney and enjoy a walk through the Gap of Dunloe. Join us at O'Connor's Traditional Pub (7 High Street) Eircode V93 DV26 for the departure (10:00 am check in), or we can also collect you from your accommodation in the Killarney area. Please Note - The tour can go in two directions. Your journey begins with a bus trip to Kate Kearney's Cottage or Ross Castle* From Kate Kearney's there is a self guided walk (you can’t get lost) that is 7 miles (12km) in length and takes approximately 2.5-3 hours to walk The terrain is hilly and picturesque, the highest elevation is 840ft. The Gap walk ends at Lord Brandon's Cottage where you can stop for lunch and refreshment (please note Lord Brandon's Only accepts cash). At 2pm our traditional boat takes you through the Lakes of Killarney and to Ross Castle (1 hour 30 mins). While on the journey across the Lakes of Killarney you will take in amazing scenery, such as: Purple Mountain Dinish Island Meeting of the Waters Old Weir Bridge Bricin Bridge Innisfallen Island Macgillycuddy's Reeks Your boat journey finishes at Ross Castle, from their we will transport you back to O'Connor's Traditional Pub or your accommodation. If you wish, feel free to bring your own picnic lunch. *For those guests leaving from Ross Castle, you will start your journey on the boat across the lakes and finish at Kate Kearney's and then a bus journey back to O'Connors Pub For those who may chose not to walk, Jaunting cars are available at Kate Kearney's Cottage They charge €140 per jaunting cart, (€35pp) and the cart carries a maximum of 4 people. Please bring cash to pay the Ponymen The Jaunting cars take approximately 1.5 hours to travel the 7 mile journey through the Gap. Please note, as you may know the Jaunting cart's are operated independently of ourselves by the Ponymen's Association. Weather conditions: Sometimes the tour is done is reverse to suit weather conditions If the water level is low, please be careful as the short walk from the boat to path can be tricky. What to bring Please wear comfortable footwear and bring a rain jacket and/or sunblock, you will need one or the other or both!

Gap of Dunloe: Guided Boat, Jaunting Car, and Bus Tour

5. Gap of Dunloe: Guided Boat, Jaunting Car, and Bus Tour

Get the full Killarney experience on this comprehensive tour. Visit the verdant lake district where you will find Kate Kearney's cottage. Then hop on a pony and continue on through the Gap of Dunloe. Enjoy lunch and a ride in a traditional open boat. Your 14-mile voyage goes across all 3 of Killarney’s lakes with a pony and trap journey through the famous Black Valley and Gap of Dunloe. Enjoy an unforgettable adventure and the ultimate Killarney experience. The journey begins mid-morning at the world-renowned Kate Kearney’s cottage. Here you take a 7-mile jaunt on a pony and trap through the Gap of Dunloe where you can view a spectacular glaciated valley. Your pony and trap ride ends at Lord Brandon’s Cottage where you can enjoy a light snack (not included in the price). After lunch, get into a traditional open boat for an approximately 2-hour tour of the three lakes of Killarney. Pass by Innisfallen Island, Bricin Bridge, Colleen Bawn Rock, Torc Mountain, Old Weir Bridge, the meetings of the waters, and more, ending at the 15th-century Ross Castle. The tour is the perfect way to see the rich and varied vegetation and scenery Killarney has to offer. Your tour will end in the mid-afternoon.

Killarney: Lakes of Killarney Boat Tour with Transfer

6. Killarney: Lakes of Killarney Boat Tour with Transfer

Enjoy a trip across the beautiful Lakes of Killarney and enjoy a walk through the Gap of Dunloe. Join us at O'Connor's Traditional Pub (7 High Street) Eircode V93 DV26 for the departure (10:00 am check in), or we can also collect you from your accommodation in the Killarney area. Please Note - The tour can go in two directions. Your journey begins with a bus trip to Kate Kearney's Cottage or Ross Castle* From Kate Kearney's you will enjoy a 1.5-2 hour Jaunting Cart ride through the 12km (7 mile) Gap of Dunloe. Please Note - The Jaunting Carts are a separate business to Gap of Dunloe Tours and are an additional cost to the tour price. Jaunting cars are available to hire at Kate Kearney's Cottage or Lord Brandon's Cottage. You may then pay the Ponymen direct for the Jaunting Car journey. They charge €140 per jaunting cart, (€35pp) and the cart carries a maximum of 4 people. Please bring cash to pay the Ponymen. Your Jaunting Cart trip ends at Lord Brandon's Cottage where you can stop for lunch and refreshments (please note Lord Brandon's Only accepts cash). At 2pm our traditional boat takes you through the Lakes of Killarney and to Ross Castle (1 hour 30 mins). While on the journey across the Lakes of Killarney you will take in amazing scenery, such as: Purple Mountain Dinish Island Meeting of the Waters Old Weir Bridge Bricin Bridge Innisfallen Island Macgillycuddy's Reeks Your boat journey finishes at Ross Castle, from their we will transport you back to O'Connor's Traditional Pub or your accommodation. If you wish, feel free to bring your own picnic lunch. *For those guests leaving from Ross Castle, you will start your journey on the boat across the lakes and finish at Kate Kearney's and then a bus journey back to O'Connors Pub Sometimes the tour is done is reverse to suit weather conditions If the water level is low, please be careful as the short walk from the boat to path can be tricky. What to bring Please wear comfortable footwear and bring a rain jacket and/or sunblock, you will need one or the other or both!

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What people are saying about Killarney

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 38 reviews

I was a bit stressed at first because the tour guide was late, but in Ireland it's all a bit more chilled. Amm aRoss Castle we had the opportunity to look at the castle for about 20 minutes and then we went to the jetty. After everyone got the life jacket and a towel to cover their legs, we started, even if the weather was really rainy in between, the boat tour was something very special. The only minimal shortcoming: I sat at the very front and couldn't understand everything the tour guide said. But otherwise really fantastic. If you are near Killarney, you should definitely book this tour. After a short refreshment after the boat tour, unlike the others, I walked the tour. The landscape is just beautiful and only paved paths. Don't forget your camera and be sure to stop off afterwards. The cake selection is divine.

Absolutely beautiful! The jaunting car ride was super unique, and the guide for the boat portion was really helpful and knowledgeable. There is a small cafe where you can get lunch in between the jaunting car and boat ride, but it is very basic (packaged sandwiches, soup, and tea) so you might want to pack a lunch with you. Also, bring a poncho regardless of the season as it is completely outdoors.

Amazing tour. BOB was awesome. He gave a great tour to the island by boat and maneuvered well. Was very accommodating when the dock was fully immersed in the water. Even though it was not a guided tour Bob gave us a few insights and was informative. Highly recommend.

One of our favorite days in our three week visit to Ireland. The views are breathtaking! The guides were wonderful. And a big “thank you” to Rose, our horse!

Beautiful hike and boat tour. We took our time, but still got to the boat 20 minutes before departure. Pick up worked great.