Kintra Boat Tours — Days Out NI

A guided cruise to Rathlin's lighthouses and wildlife

This is a skippered sightseeing cruise, not a ferry or a fast RIB, on purpose-built catamarans with an on-board wildlife guide. The route runs along the Causeway Coast and around Rathlin Island, sailing for the northernmost point in Ireland past towering cliffs that host hundreds of thousands of nesting seabirds each year. You may see grey and common seals, harbour porpoise, bottlenose and common dolphins, and in late summer minke whale or basking sharks, though wildlife is never guaranteed. The boats give good photography vantage points of Rathlin's three lighthouses, including the unique upside-down Rathlin West Light. The skippers are knowledgeable about the geography, history and wildlife of the coast. Wheelchair accessibility is mentioned by the operator, so check your needs with them directly before booking.

Skippered catamaran cruise Leaves Ballycastle Harbour Rathlin's three lighthouses Seals, puffins & cetaceans Weather-dependent, seasonal Book ahead

Good to know before you go:

Kintra advertises a range of named tours plus dawn and sunset sailings, and adds special and seasonal trips through the year. Timetables are weather-dependent and seasonal, so check their 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 sightseeing cruise on purpose-built catamarans

Departs from

Ballycastle Harbour, outer pier behind the Rathlin Ferry

Duration

Flagship lighthouse tour around 3 hours; shorter tours also offered

What you may see

Seals, porpoise, dolphins, puffins and seabirds, occasional whales/basking sharks, Rathlin's three lighthouses (never guaranteed)

Season

Mainly warmer months; closed over winter; weather- and sea-state-dependent

Booking

Advised - book online or by phone

Cost

Varies by tour - check current prices

Suitable for

Wheelchair access mentioned by operator - confirm needs directly

Parking

Parking by Ballycastle Harbour beside the town

Address

Ballycastle Harbour, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, BT54 6BT

Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?

Advised - book online or by phone

How much is it?

Varies by tour - check current prices

How long is the trip?

Flagship lighthouse tour around 3 hours; shorter tours also offered

What might we see?

Seals, porpoise, dolphins, puffins and seabirds, occasional whales/basking sharks, Rathlin's three lighthouses (never guaranteed)

When does it run?

Mainly warmer months; closed over winter; weather- and sea-state-dependent

Getting there

Kintra Boat Tours departs from Ballycastle Harbour, outer pier behind the Rathlin Ferry. Parking by Ballycastle Harbour beside the town. 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 BallycastleSee what else is close by More boat trips across NISea, lough and river cruises

The story

About the trip

Kintra Boat Tours sails from Ballycastle on purpose-built catamarans, with the owner and chief skipper, Charles, drawing on around 30 years navigating the Scottish and Northern Irish islands. Other local skippers are described as wildlife enthusiasts and local history buffs, and an on-board guide helps point out what you pass.

The route's draw is Rathlin Island, home to an RSPB seabird centre with over 250,000 seabirds nesting each year, and its three lighthouses - East, South and the unusual upside-down West Light, built between 1912 and 1917. The cruise takes you through a UNESCO heritage area toward the northernmost point in Ireland.