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From Galway: Aran Islands & Cliffs Of Moher Day Tour & Cruise
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From $99.60 per person
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The Experience
What your day looks like
Departing from the Kinlay Hostel on Merchants Road, Galway at 09:00, your fully trained, local driver/guide will take you on a unique journey along the Wild Atlantic Way, through the lunar-like landscape of the Burren and on to the Cliffs of Moher. This amazing, comprehensive tour of the Wild Atlantic Way is certainly not one you’ll regret! As we head towards the ferry departure point at the fishing village of Doolin on your tour, you will pass through the picturesque villages of Clarenbridge, Kilcolgan, Ballindereen, Kinvara, and Ballyvaughan. Along the way, you will see Medieval ruins, 16th-century tower house castles, churches and graveyards, dry stone walls, quays and harbors, ponies, horses, calves, cows, lambs, sheep, and maybe even a leprechaun or two! Turning right at Ballyvaughan, your local, driver/guide will take you south following the Wild Atlantic Way along the coast of Clare, via BlackHead (Wild Atlantic Way – Discovery Point), Fanore Strand (Wild Atlantic Way – Discovery Point), and the baby cliffs of Ballyreen. From here you can witness the power of the Atlantic Ocean as it battles the coastline of Ireland, this is the Wild Atlantic Way. Arriving in Doolin, you board the ‘Doolin 2 Aran Ferries’ ferry for Inisheer, the smallest and nearest of the Gaeltacht Aran Islands. The 3 Aran Islands, are three limestone rocky outcrops that lock in Galway Bay, consisting of Inishmore (Inis Mor), Inishmaan (Inis Meain), and Inisheer (Inis Oirr). During the 30-minute ferry crossing, keep an eye out for a local bottlenose dolphin that occasionally follows the ferry as it approaches the Island. Once on Inisheer, you’ll have time to yourself to explore the ancient castles and churches, follow narrow lanes between stone walls, and deserted white sand beaches. It’s perfectly possible to explore the whole Island by hiring a bicycle or even a pony and trap. The return ferry to Doolin takes you on a guided scenic cruise beneath the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. From here you get an amazing view of the 214m high, 8km long Cliffs of Moher (Wild Atlantic Way – Signature Point). As they say around here “From the Cliffs you see the sea but from the sea, you see the Cliffs.” Upon returning to Doolin, you re-board the coach and your local, driver/guide will take you to the top of the Cliffs of Moher for a minimum 1 hour stop. Entry fee to the Cliffs and the eco-friendly visitors center, the Atlantic Edge, is included. Have a stroll along the summit of the Cliffs and take in the amazing views of the huge ocean and sky. Departing the Cliffs, you return to Galway via Lisdoonvarna, home to the world-famous matchmaking festival held every September and once again through the limestone, glacial-karst landscape that makes up the Burren. This tour operates from 01 April to 31 October.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Visit the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher in a single day
- Sail to Inisheer, the smallest and closest of the 3 Aran Islands
- Explore an ancient castle and church, shipwreck, lighthouse, beaches, pubs, and cafes
Detailed Itinerary
The journey, in full
09:00 - Depart Merchants Road, Galway outside the Kinlay Hostel Our locally sourced and fully trained driver/guide will take you from Galway to the picturesque village of Doolin in Co. Clare. En route, you will travel along the Wild Atlantic Way, passing medieval castles, beautiful little villages, fields of dry stone walls, and amazing coastal views. Our driver/guide will entertain you with insights into the geology, history, and stories of the landscapes in view. 10:45 - Arrive Doolin Pier Upon arrival at the harbour area in Doolin, our driver / guide will present you with your boarding pass for the return ferry to Inisheer. Our ferry partners, Doolin2Aran Ferries have been operating from Doolin for nearly 100 years. Today, this family run company operate the newest fleet of vessels from Doolin to the Aran Islands. 11:00 - Ferry departs Doolin Once we're all onboard the ferry, we depart for the 30 minute sailing to Inisheer. From the ferry you get amazing views of the Clare coastline, Connemara and the Aran Islands along with some marine wildlife from time to time. 11:40 - Arrive Inisheer Upon arrival on Inisheer, you have 2 hours of free time to explore and enjoy the smallest of the Aran Islands. There is an ancient castle and church, a famous shipwreck, a lighthouse, and a fabulous beach all within walking distance. Speak to our driver/guide about hiring a local tour guide or bicycle to enhance your experience. While you're here, why not visit one of the pubs/cafes and enjoy a homemade lunch? 13:45 - Depart Inisheer En route from Inisheer to Doolin, the ferry will detour to sail in beneath the Cliffs of Moher, subject to weather conditions. The view of the Cliffs of Moher from the sea is one of the most spectacular and has to be seen to be believed. 15:00 - Arrive Doolin Pier Once the ferry has docked in Doolin, we re-board the tour vehicle and head straight to the visitors center at the top of the Cliffs of Moher. 15:30 - Arrive Cliffs of Moher Once at the Cliffs of Moher, our driver/guide will provide you with your entry ticket to the Cliffs of Moher, ticket included in the tour price. The Cliffs of Moher is Ireland's most visited natural attraction, standing at 214 meters at their highest point and stretching out for 8 km along the Wild Atlantic Way. The Cliffs of Moher offers one of the most spectacular views in Ireland. Your ticket entitles you to admission to the eco-friendly visitor center, the Atlantic Edge. The Atlantic Edge exhibition brings the story of the cliffs to life. 16:30 - Depart Cliffs of Moher After our Cliffs of Moher stop it is time to re-board the tour vehicle, sit back and relax while our driver/guide returns you to Galway via Lisdoonvarna and the Burren. The County Clare town of Lisdoonvarna is famous for it's Spa well and annual Matchmaking Festival. The Burren is one of the world's best examples of a Glacio-Karst landscape and from the tour vehicle today you will get amazing views of this lunar-like landscape. Where possible the tour vehicle will stop for photo opportunities. 19:00 - Arrive Galway Our Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher Day Tour terminates at our departure point on Merchants Road, Galway. Time to say a final 'Good Bye' or 'Slan Abhaile' to your driver/guide.
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Lahinch
Sightseeing at Cliffs of Moher.
Continued
Galway
Sightseeing at Aran Islands.
Continued
Galway
Boating at Aran Islands.
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
Entry or admission fee WiFi Guided Coach Tour Return ferry, including Cliffs of Moher Cruise - subject to weather conditions Entry fee to the eco-friendly visitors center at the Cliffs of Moher, The Atlantic Edge
Not Included
Food & drinks Tip or gratuity
What to Bring
Weather appropriate clothing and comfortable footwear
Restrictions
Infants must sit on your lap. Stroller/Pram accessible.
Meeting & Pickup
Kinlay Hostel (Outside) - Merchants Road, Galway.
Languages Offered
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Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Automatic
Traveler Impressions
What travelers are saying
2026-06-05
5.00 / 5
Great tour with excellent driver/guide. Lots of stories and songs. Highly recommend!
2025-09-14
5.00 / 5
It was the highlight of my husband's and my time in Galway. Our bus driver was excellent, explaining the history and topography of the areas we passed through. We very much enjoyed the quaint island of Inis Mor. We chose to take the ferry back alongside the Cliffs of Moher, which was something to see. We were thrilled to experience the cliffs from the top as well.
2025-08-21
5.00 / 5
The Aran Islands were great. The view of the Cliffs of Moher from the water was amazing. Our tour guide Phil was knowledgeable and added insights to our journey. Highly recommend
2025-06-21
5.00 / 5
My clients loved this tour and said the guides were super knowledgeable! 5 stars!
2025-05-14
5.00 / 5
Wow! What a great day spent listening to our fantastic tour guide Allen share so much interesting Irish history about the beautiful sights along the way to & from the Cliffs of Moher and the Aram Islands!! We’re normally not real keen on bus tours but we highly recommend this one, especially if you’re lucky enough to get Allen as your guide!
2025-04-20
5.00 / 5
I cannot say enough good things about our tour guide Alan and our experience on this tour. Alan was hilarious and knowledgeable - he's obviously passionate about what he does and truly elevated our experience. We booked this tour for the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher but the education and scenery on our drives through the Burren and along the Wild Atlantic Way were absolutely amazing. Inis Oirr is a delightful little island and is the perfect size for exploring on a day trip. Seeing the Cliffs of Moher from both above and below is a must-do to really appreciate how stunning they are.
2024-09-04
5.00 / 5
Highly recommended. Seeing the cliffs from the water is not to be missed. The pint on Inis Oírr might have been my favorite in Ireland. Special thanks to Gerry for his excellent driving and commentary.
2024-06-18
5.00 / 5
Alan was a pleasant and knowledgeable guide. Very friendly and a great driver. Inisheer and the Cliffs of Moher were breathtaking. I highly recommend this excursion.
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