Ballintoy Boat Tours — Days Out NI

A close-up run along the Causeway cliffs

This is a small, skippered boat on the water with you, not a big cruise ship, so the trip feels personal and you sit close to the action. The vessel is the Stackaboy, an Orkney Fastliner, carrying up to five passengers. The short Carrick-a-Rede trip takes you out under the famous rope bridge and around the dramatic basalt cliffs, caves and coves, while longer options reach Sheep Island, Whitepark Bay, Larrybane Bay and Kinbane Castle. Keep an eye out for seals and seabirds, with a chance of dolphins or porpoises, though as with any sea trip you may see them or you may not. The short Carrick-a-Rede run is described as great for younger kids and infants, and dogs are welcome on board.

Skippered small-boat tours Leaves Ballintoy Harbour Max 5 passengers Apr-Sept, weather permitting Cliffs, Sheep Island, rope bridge Book ahead online

Good to know before you go:

Operators add sunset cruises, special trips, charters and seasonal sailings through the year; timetables here are weather-dependent and seasonal, so check the operator's own pages for current sailings, dates and prices.

What to bring

🧥Warm, windproof layersIt is always cooler and breezier out on the water — dress for it.

🧢A waterproofA bit of sea spray is all part of the adventure.

📷A cameraFor the wildlife, the coast and the castles seen from the sea.

🎫Your bookingMost trips need booking ahead — have the confirmation ready.

Everything before you go

Type

Skippered small-boat sightseeing tours (plus guided sea fishing)

Departs from

Ballintoy Harbour, north Antrim coast

Duration

From ~30-45 mins (Carrick-a-Rede) up to ~2 hours, depending on trip

What you may see

Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Sheep Island, Whitepark Bay, cliffs and caves; possibly seals, seabirds, dolphins or porpoises (never guaranteed)

Season

April to September, on suitable days (weather- and sea-state-dependent)

Booking

Walk-ins and bookings taken; best to book online to avoid disappointment

Cost

Varies by trip; check current prices with the operator

Suitable for

Short Carrick-a-Rede trip suited to younger kids and infants; dogs welcome. Wheelchair access not confirmed - check with the operator

Parking

Parking on site at the harbour

Address

Ballintoy Harbour, Ballintoy, County Antrim, BT54 6NB

Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?

Walk-ins and bookings taken; best to book online to avoid disappointment

How much is it?

Varies by trip; check current prices with the operator

How long is the trip?

From ~30-45 mins (Carrick-a-Rede) up to ~2 hours, depending on trip

What might we see?

Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Sheep Island, Whitepark Bay, cliffs and caves; possibly seals, seabirds, dolphins or porpoises (never guaranteed)

When does it run?

April to September, on suitable days (weather- and sea-state-dependent)

Getting there

Ballintoy Boat Tours departs from Ballintoy Harbour, north Antrim coast. Parking on site at the harbour. Tap below for directions to the departure point.

Directions on Google Maps Official website See it on our map

Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around BallintoySee what else is close by More boat trips across NISea, lough and river cruises

The story

About the trip

Ballintoy Boat Tours is a family-run business operating from the picturesque Ballintoy Harbour, with trips presented by locals who know this stretch of coast well. The skipper, Gordy, has fished these waters since childhood, and the boat is the Stackaboy, an Orkney Fastliner.

The operator is MCA compliant (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) and emphasises safety on every trip. With a small five-passenger limit, the tours stay personal as they run out under the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and along one of the most striking sections of the Causeway Coast.