A fast 12-seat RIB blast through The Narrows, where Strangford Lough meets the sea.
The Narrows Sea Safari (Clearsky) — A fast 12-seat RIB blast through The Narrows, where Strangford Lough meets the sea.
The safari uses a 12-seater RIB that powers across The Narrows, the channel where the whole of Strangford Lough drains and fills with each tide. Over roughly 45 minutes a local skipper points out wildlife and history along the shoreline. You may see seals hauled out on the rocks, and porpoise or dolphins in the water, though wildlife is never guaranteed. Landmarks can include Angus Rock Lighthouse, the Routen Wheel whirlpool and the site of the SeaGen tidal turbine. The minimum age is around 3 years, which makes it workable for families with younger children who can sit still and hold on.
Operators add public open days, private charters and special seasonal sailings through the season, and timetables are weather-dependent and seasonal, so check Clearsky's own pages for current sailings, dates and prices.
The Narrows Sea Safari (Clearsky) departs from Strangford area, by Castle Ward Estate. Available at Castle Ward Estate / Clearsky base. Tap below for directions to the departure point.
Clearsky Adventure runs sea safaris from its base at Castle Ward Estate near Strangford, with local skippers who know the area's wildlife and history. The route is built around The Narrows, the dramatic tidal race that connects Strangford Lough to the open sea and creates whirlpools like the Routen Wheel, making it one of the most distinctive stretches of water in Northern Ireland.