Bangor Bay Boat Tours — Days Out NI

A cruise built around a good story

Aboard the Ocean Crest you cruise Bangor Bay while skipper Brian Meharg and guide Paul Whitla spin the tale of Jenny Watt, the local smuggler whose legend Brian turned into a book. It is a gentle sightseeing trip along Bangor's coastline rather than a fast thrill ride, so the pace is relaxed and the focus is on the views and the storytelling. You may catch sight of seabirds and the Bangor shoreline from the water, though nothing on the wildlife front is ever guaranteed at sea. Children are welcome, but under-18s must be with a paying adult, and the boat is not wheelchair accessible and has no toilet on board (the nearest facilities are at Pickie Funpark). Dress warm with sensible footwear, as it is cooler and breezier out on the water than on the prom.

Skippered cruise Leaves Pickie Jetty, Bangor Smuggler Jenny Watt tales Seasonal festival sailings Weather-dependent Book ahead

Good to know before you go:

Sailings are tied to seasonal festival dates such as Experience Ards and North Down and Sea Bangor, and operators add storytelling, sunset and special cruises through the season. Timetables 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 storytelling sightseeing cruise (the Ocean Crest also runs sea cruises and angling trips)

Departs from

Pickie Jetty, beside Pickie Funpark, Bangor promenade

Duration

Not confirmed - check with the operator

What you may see

Bangor Bay coastline and seabirds from the water; wildlife is never guaranteed

Season

Selected dates in the warmer months (festival sailings), weather-dependent

Booking

Essential - tickets usually close the day before

Cost

Has been around 15 pounds per person; check current prices

Suitable for

Families with older children; under-18s must be with a paying adult. Not wheelchair accessible; no toilet on board

Parking

Queen's Parade and nearby seafront car parks, then walk the promenade

Address

Pickie Jetty, Promenade, off Queen's Parade, Bangor, BT20 5AG

Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?

Essential - tickets usually close the day before

How much is it?

Has been around 15 pounds per person; check current prices

How long is the trip?

Not confirmed - check with the operator

What might we see?

Bangor Bay coastline and seabirds from the water; wildlife is never guaranteed

When does it run?

Selected dates in the warmer months (festival sailings), weather-dependent

Getting there

Bangor Bay Boat Tours departs from Pickie Jetty, beside Pickie Funpark, Bangor promenade. Queen's Parade and nearby seafront car parks, then walk the promenade. 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 BangorSee what else is close by More boat trips across NISea, lough and river cruises

The story

About the trip

The Ocean Crest is skippered by Brian Meharg, a well-known Bangor angling skipper who also runs sea cruises and fishing excursions from the town. He wrote a children's book about Jenny Watt, the infamous local smuggler, and the Bangor Bay tours grew out of that legend.

On the festival sailings, Brian is joined by tour guide Paul Whitla, and the cruise pairs the storytelling with the music of local acts on the Trad and Tide nights. The trips run as part of the Experience Ards and North Down and Sea Bangor programmes.