Aran Islands Cruises: Top Tours and Sailing Trips Compared

If you’re dreaming of Ireland’s dramatic coastlines and captivating islands, a visit to the Aran Islands really should be up there, right at the top of your travel list. What better way, basically, to see these iconic isles than from the water? So, taking a cruise or sailing trip can really give you a special perspective. This article will talk about some choice tours that let you get a feel for the rugged charm and storied history that makes the Aran Islands so incredibly unforgettable. So get ready, very, very soon, to explore what these unique experiences offer, and just what makes each of them a worthy adventure for your Irish getaway.

Doolin Ferry Co: Cliffs of Moher & Aran Islands Cruise

That Doolin Ferry Co provides maybe the most well-known option for those eager to see both the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands in a single sweep. Departing from Doolin, a charming village famed for its traditional Irish music, the ferries really do provide multiple sailings daily, yet weather can often, arguably, cause delays. Anyway, you get to pick between heading over to Inisheer, Inishmaan, or Inishmore – each island holding a special charm of its own. The cruise past the Cliffs of Moher really does give you views you can’t get anywhere else, with the towering cliffs looming dramatically over the Atlantic Ocean, so the experience truly is breathtaking.

For visitors making their way to Inisheer, this cruise has quite the draw since Inisheer is actually the closest of the Aran Islands to the mainland. You get to spend some hours there exploring its small, yet incredibly inviting landscape. Think sandy beaches, a wrecked ship (the Plassey, for fans of Father Ted), and that old castle! It makes it all so very, very much the perfect day trip if you want both natural beauty and a little exploration.

The ferries, by the way, themselves have comfortable seating and both indoor and outdoor viewing spots. Refreshments might be available, so you’re all set as you drink in the coastal scenery. Getting your ticket usually can happen either online in advance, which is advisable in peak season, or on the spot at the Doolin harbor, just a little while before you step on board.

What Makes it Special: So, combining the Cliffs of Moher views with a trip to one of the Aran Islands gives that tour the flexibility for tourists to see two popular sights without too much hassle. You, like your traveling companions, could very much be enjoying that boat, looking to maximize their sightseeing opportunities!

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Aran Island Ferries: Rossaveel to Aran Islands Sailing

Those Aran Island Ferries operate from Rossaveel, and you may or may not be delighted to hear it’s just a short drive west of Galway City. Their schedule makes it basically a commuter service. They mostly serve Inishmore, so this is that ideal choice if that’s definitely where you intend to spend the most of your time. The location gives it a significantly shorter crossing when compared to the Doolin departures, which is something that a lot of visitors will consider.

Ferries leaving from Rossaveel bring that advantage, really, of faster access and that all-weather port. They run quite regularly all year. Once you come into Kilronan, the primary harbor on Inishmore, you find it remarkably easy to make your way about, either via pre-booked tour, by bike (plenty of rental spots), or just a jaunt in a local bus, if that is the thing for you.

For many, booking ahead is actually pretty smart to get the sailing times that work for you, and, very often, to possibly bundle ferry and bike rental into a simple purchase. Also, it means no worries on potentially the busiest of days! When there might be less walking-on-space for that all important ferry back to the mainland.

What Makes it Special: That shorter sailing from Rossaveel, well, just that, could be exactly what you need to save that valuable time. It also, anyway, means it’s ideal for a full day trip if based in Galway City, specifically, if you are looking to get there and back without rush or extended transfers.

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Galway Bay Boat Tours: Aran Islands Day Trip

These tours from Galway Bay Boat Tours could provide something a bit unique because they generally set out from Galway City directly. How good is that, really? So, very easy when based in that jumping town of County Galway. Sailings commonly head to Inishmore. What is included often, by the way, features insightful commentary regarding that history, and also of that local wildlife.

This boat journey offers some terrific views heading on the approach. Getting onto the island then hands you freedom, which could be the way to explore, as you will. You could, perhaps, either hire a bicycle for heading solo at your pace, or grab some tours operated by those folk who reside on Inishmore, that also provide rides out, often, to notable attractions like Dún Aongasa.

As you glide into Galway Bay on your way home, a little thing that really makes such trips notable is possibly watching out, too, it’s almost always for marine wildlife along that journey! If conditions allow, very occasionally seals and dolphins might swim around you. No promises, as nature holds every card, you realize.

What Makes it Special: Leaving straight out of Galway really is that handy element that sets this apart, if you intend being footloose there. On clear days some boat cruises give just tremendous open views up to Connemara, and, very likely, the Aran Islands as that vessel cruises across Galway Bay itself.

Read our full review: Galway Bay Aran Islands Day Trip Full Review and Details

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Cliffs of Moher Cruises: From Doolin to the Aran Islands

Cliffs of Moher Cruises gives basically the same style trips, however, again leaving right out of Doolin. And you, really, may just have an extremely specific taste on which style that the boat tour gives, so there exists options galore!. As the vessel sails toward Inisheer, or Inishmore, or wherever you plan your stop that day, you witness truly imposing views below the tremendous Cliffs.

Similar towards cruises departing Doolin pier, this provider gives you freedom as that day progresses on which style suits exploring those Islands. Most take a tour local at hand; a few might choose some rental bicycle pedalling; you might even just stretch every muscle, and, conceivably, enjoy exploring the roads.

Purchasing tickets is generally available from desks next that quayside out at Doolin, and might be sold, just a bit, online as that preferred technique of confirmation, more than likely especially as summer takes firm grasp and you would like avoiding no disappointments about possibly being stranded!

What Makes it Special: Sailing past the towering Cliffs of Moher presents some striking sea views unlike what somebody can ever appreciate usually from higher up upon ground alone. That offers also that magnificent photographic snap looking up that high face because vessels proceed for all those isles over yonder.

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Private Boat Charter: Aran Islands and Galway Bay

Consider, if that plan requires possibly something special, forking out so it’s almost private boat charter, should you so choose, to navigate those Aran Islands. Several outfits from Galway present what, indeed, could be tailored boating for which destination appeals, so a person could visit multiple Islands one fantastic unforgettable getaway day. That trip offers something very distinct to compare all along all these other packages previously discussed; absolute personal space.

Deciding on this, you and the guests aboard just that vessel you’re traveling can actually influence exactly the plan, picking just the duration staying just any one place, plus opting that pathway where vessels actually voyage too. This turns what otherwise will always simply become excursion; so too it’s almost tailored seafaring exploration.

Whenever selecting any personal arrangement confirm what this charter does normally encompass; catering (perhaps?); possible shore travels along such islands (unlikely provided!) then weather limitations for these smaller charters.

What Makes it Special: Exclusively personal trips, it’s true, may very be ideal in case a party longs to voyage specifically upon these times while taking an extremely specific plan entirely crafted personally. This does guarantee discretion, plus some focus upon whatever spots that traveling company especially wants most!

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