Days Out NI
Boat trip Donaghadee

Donaghadee Harbour & Lighthouse

Hop a wildlife cruise from the harbour steps out to the Copeland Islands seal colony.

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SeasonalWeather- and sea-state-dependent; dates p…
TicketedBook ahead
The historic step…Departs from
Get directionsOfficial website
1 hourHow long
TicketedCost
Weather- and se…Season
Wildlife cruise…Best for
The historic st…Departs

Donaghadee Harbour & Lighthouse — Hop a wildlife cruise from the harbour steps out to the Copeland Islands seal colony.

  • The trip: Skippered wildlife sightseeing cruise (also fishing trips and private charters).
  • Departs from: The historic steps, Donaghadee Harbour.
  • You may see: Copeland Islands seal colony, puffins, Manx shearwaters, black guillemots, Mew Island Lighthouse; sometimes porpoises or dolphins (never guaranteed).
  • Season: Weather- and sea-state-dependent; dates posted on the operator's Facebook/Instagram.
  • Booking: Advised — book directly by phone or email.
  • Cost: Check current prices with the operator.
Plan your visit

Out to the seal colony and Bird Island

The Island Wildlife Cruise leaves the historic steps of Donaghadee Harbour aboard the M/V Island Lady and runs about an hour and a half. You head out towards Great Copeland Island to see its resident seal colony, then on past Old Lighthouse Island, also known as Bird Island. In the right season you may spot puffins, Manx shearwaters and black guillemots, with the Mew Island Lighthouse standing out on the skyline, and porpoises or dolphins are sometimes around too. None of the wildlife is guaranteed, but the skipper knows these waters well. The cruise is open to children aged two and up, making it a good first boat trip for younger families.

Skippered wildlife cruise Leaves harbour steps ~1.5 hours Copeland seal colony Seals, seabirds, puffins Book ahead, weather-dependent
Good to know before you go:

Operators add sunset and special cruises, charters and seasonal sailings through the year, and timetables are weather-dependent and seasonal, so check their own Facebook and Instagram pages for current sailings, dates and prices.

Before you set off

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.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Type
Skippered wildlife sightseeing cruise (also fishing trips and private charters)
Departs from
The historic steps, Donaghadee Harbour
Duration
Wildlife cruise approx. 1 hour 30 minutes; fishing trips approx. 3 hours
What you may see
Copeland Islands seal colony, puffins, Manx shearwaters, black guillemots, Mew Island Lighthouse; sometimes porpoises or dolphins (never guaranteed)
Season
Weather- and sea-state-dependent; dates posted on the operator's Facebook/Instagram
Booking
Advised — book directly by phone or email
Cost
Check current prices with the operator
Suitable for
Wildlife cruise open to children aged 2+; accessibility on the boat not confirmed — check with the operator
Parking
On-site parking at the harbour
Address
Donaghadee Harbour, The Harbour, Donaghadee, County Down, BT21 0HF
Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?
Advised — book directly by phone or email
How much is it?
Check current prices with the operator
How long is the trip?
Wildlife cruise approx. 1 hour 30 minutes; fishing trips approx. 3 hours
What might we see?
Copeland Islands seal colony, puffins, Manx shearwaters, black guillemots, Mew Island Lighthouse; sometimes porpoises or dolphins (never guaranteed)
When does it run?
Weather- and sea-state-dependent; dates posted on the operator's Facebook/Instagram
Getting there

Donaghadee Harbour & Lighthouse departs from The historic steps, Donaghadee Harbour. On-site parking at the harbour. Tap below for directions to the departure point.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

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

About the trip

Donaghadee Harbour was built in the 1820s to a John Rennie design, partly from Welsh limestone, and its lighthouse first showed a light in 1836 — reputedly the first lighthouse in Ireland to be lit by electricity. The harbour's lifeboat crews are remembered for their part in the 1953 MV Princess Victoria disaster.

Island Boat Charters has worked from these same harbour steps since 2015, run by local skipper Philip McNamara aboard the MCA-licensed M/V Island Lady, the only passenger boat operating from Donaghadee. The short hop across to the Copeland Islands is best known for its grey seal colony and its breeding seabirds.