boat trips from westport

Explore Clewbay's 365 Islands

Clew Bay has 365 islands, one for every day of the year and 117 of them are Ireland’s best example of drumlins made of limestone. They come up in all shapes: ovals, lozenges, snakes, dragons, arrowheads or long-legged beasties. Clare Island, the biggest island, guards the entrance of the bay.

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Clewbay Cruises

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Clewbay Cruises - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

THE 10 BEST Westport Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in westport.

• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Tornado Fishing Charters

2. Deep Sea Charters

3. Westport Charters

4. Westport Seabirds Pelagic Tours

5. Goldrush Charters

6. BigFoot Surf

7. The Surf Shop Westport

8. Advantage Charters

9. Mutineer Charters

10. high life charter fishing.

11. Ocean Sportfishing Charters

What travellers are saying

• Tornado Fishing Charters
• Deep Sea Charters
• Mutineer Charters
• Advantage Charters
• High Life Charter Fishing

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Welcome to WESTPORTSEABIRDS.COM!

 The entire Westport Seabirds crew had such a great time with our valued customers during our 2023 season. Thanks to all our for making this our 47th year such a memorable one!

Our 2024 schedule is now available – see 2024 schedule tab

 We  hope you will join us for one of our all day pelagic birdwatching trips to one of several deep water submarine canyons that are 30 nautical miles from the mouth of Grays Harbor, on the edge of the North American continental shelf. The outer half of the shelf and the Canyons support a vast array of marine life. In addition to regular species like Black-footed Albatross and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel, our trips feature seasonal species such as Laysan Albatross, Flesh-footed, Short-tailed, and Buller’s Shearwaters, and South Polar Skua among many other offshore species. We are also looking for whales, dolphins, porpoises, fur seals and other marine life that populate this nutrient rich environment. 

About Westport Seabirds

Photograph, Monte Carlo Terry Wahl initiated trips offshore to Gray's Canyon in September of 1966 and began systematic censusing in September of 1971, which continues through the present. Westport Seabirds trips have produced the longest running database of birds counted at sea in the world and have provided the foundation for several papers on seabirds of the northeast Pacific, including m...

Information

• Reservations
• 2024 Schedule
• 2024 Trip Results
• Preparing for a Pelagic Trip
• Possible Species / Season
• Westport Seabirds Staff
• Directions to Westport (lodging)
• Sea Bird Photo Gallery
• Marine Mammals/Cetaceans Photo Gallery
• 2023 Trip Results
• 2022 Trip Results
• 2021 Trip Results
• Birding in Washington State
• Past Years Trip Results
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Image gallery, 2024 schedule now available.

All of our trips go offshore to one of three deep water canyons approximately 28-35 miles offshore. These canyons are just beyond the edge of the continental shelf and reach water depths in excess of 2,500 feet.

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Copyright © West Port Sea Birds . All Rights Reserved

THE 10 BEST Westport Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in westport.

• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Tornado Fishing Charters

2. Deep Sea Charters

3. Westport Charters

4. Westport Seabirds Pelagic Tours

5. Goldrush Charters

6. BigFoot Surf

7. The Surf Shop Westport

8. Advantage Charters

9. Mutineer Charters

10. high life charter fishing.

11. Ocean Sportfishing Charters

What travellers are saying

• Tornado Fishing Charters
• Deep Sea Charters
• Mutineer Charters
• Advantage Charters
• High Life Charter Fishing

ALL ABOARD THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME!

Rib adventure.

• Duration: 1hr 30Mins
• Price: €50 Per Person
• Min Age: 8 Years/Min Height of 130CM

Looking for an outdoor adventure? The Westport Sea Safari Boat Tour is our action packed Rib Adventure taking in all the Westport Coast and Clew Bay has to offer. 

We will manoeuvre through and get views of the 365 Islands of Clew Bay all the while catching a glimpse of wildlife like Westport’s Seal Colonies and beautiful sea birds, getting great views of the local muscle farms and salmon fisheries, drop off at Inis Gort Lighthouse and Island and get historic stories from your local captain. 

All this and more on an action packed high speed rib ride to remember. 

Some Key Sights

John lennon island.

Bought by John Lennon in 1967 for £1,700, Doorinish Island was home to a small hippie commune set up by Sid Rawle in 1970. After Lennon’s death, Yoko Ono sold the island for £30,000 and donated the money to an Irish orphanage. The island is now used as a grazing site for livestock.

Clew Bay Seals

Clew Bay is home to a colony of harbour seals, who are sometimes visible at lower tides resting on the uncovered rocks. The colony size is approximately 120, with the seals being most active during the summer months to bear offspring. A female seal is referred to as a cow, while a male is a bull.

Inishgort Lighthouse

Inishgort island is home to one of Ireland’s oldest lighthouses which was built in 1806. The tower is accompanied by a 2-storey lighthouse keeper dwelling, which was built in 1827. The light was converted to solar in 2000 and the buildings are maintained by the Commissioner of Irish Lights

Clew Bays 365 Islands!

The 365 islands of Clew Bay were formed by the stream line movement of glacier icesheets several million years ago. These islands are drumlins which have been partially drowned by the rising sea level. Drumlins are formed by the deposits of melting glacier ice sheets. These island are the most distinctive feature of Clew Bay.

Scott’s Man Bonnet Island

This iconic shaped island stands out in the bay for its unique resemblance to a Scottish man’s hat. Unfortunately ,due to years of harsh sea erosion, the island is nearly gone.

Inishraher Island

Inishraher, or more recently referred to as Maharishi Island of World Peace, is a a 30 acre island. It is a place where guests from all over the world can come to experience and create peace through their practice of Transcendental Meditation and its advanced programmes.

Aquatic & Bird Life

There is a wide variety of fish, shells, clams and cockles that can be found in the bay. Lobsters and the brown crab are commonly fished locally, and sold to venders around Europe.

The bay also houses a variety of birds: Arctic Terns, Seagulls, Geese, Ducks, Waders, Herons, Gulls, Cormorants, Snipes and many others.

Fish Farming in Clew Bay

There is an ever-growing aquaculture in Clew Bay, providing the opportunity for a range of fish farming. Mussel farming and salmon farming are the two most prominent activities that provide income for local fisheries.

Dolphins in Clew Bay

We occasionally get visited by some Dolphins, these beautiful aquatic mammals grace us with there presence and swim along side and play. 

It’s a real treat and one that should be really enjoyed! 

Looking for more information on this action packet Boat Tour of the Westport Coast? Check out our FAQ Page here

The Beautiful Mayo Coast

What people say.

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Fishing & Boating

Fishing and boating.

As the surrounding area in Westport is renowned for its blue flag beaches, it is no wonder that fishing and boating are hugely popular activities for locals and tourists. Clew Bay is one of the most beautiful bays in Ireland and is comprised of 365 islands, one for every day of the year, according to Folkloir. Clare Island, Clew Bay’s largest island, guards the entrance to Clew Bay and as the bay is overlooked by Croagh Patrick, the area boasts some of the most stunning views to be seen in the west of Ireland. The Great Western Greenway is also just a stones throw away.

westport CRUISES

Clew Bay stands as one of the most significant attractions for tourism in the west. It is also home to around 400 seal and other wildlife. The Westport Cruises sail close to the home of the seal colony, to observe them in their natural habitat. Furthermore, the cruise also exhibits panoramic views of the historical mountain, Croagh Patrick (also known as “The Reek” locally). Listen to tales of Grace O Malley, the pirate Queen and her adventures or learn about the paradise island owned and inhabited by the infamous John Lennon.

Visit  http://westportcruises.com/  to learn more about the Westport Cruises and to look up sailing times. Located at the Harbour (The Quay), Westport, Co. Mayo with daily guided tours running from May – September. Tel. 087-6066146.

Web:  www.clewbaycruises.com .

SEA ANGLING

The Sea Angling grounds of Clew Bay are a sea anglers dream, as they are recognised as being amongst the best in Europe. The inshore waters of Clew Bay offer excellent shallow water angling and fly fishing. Almost every known species of fish existing in Irish waters has, at some time, been recorded in Clew Bay. The Helm on The Quay provides Sea Angling and sightseeing trips of Clew Bay, Ireland’s hidden heartlands.

Boats can be chartered for angling, cruising or exploring some of Clew Bays reputed 365 islands. Telephone: (098) 41562. For angling charter trips. Telephone: (098) 26514 / 64865 /26899.

Information is also available from Tourist Office.

Tel: 098-26398. Web:  www.thehelm.ie   www.facebook.com/TheHelmWestport

FRESH WATER ANGLING

The fresh water angler is also well catered for with several productive rivers and lakes within easy reach of the town. Salmon, sea trout and brown trout can be found in most rivers, while the larger lakes such as Lough Mask are capable of producing ferox trout and very large pike.

SAILING & yachting

Rosmoney, Westport is the base for Mayo Sailing Club. A picturesque cruising ground exists among the archipelago of islands in the east of Clew Bay. There are slipways at Rosmoney, Westport Quay and Old Head suitable for launching dinghies and trailer-sailers.

From regular summer cruising along the west coast and its islands, to wilderness expeditions to the Antarctic and Arctic, Mayo Sailing Club members have demonstrated their enthusiasm for sailing. On the racing front members have been to the fore in open events along the west coast, along with the Round Ireland Race, and recently some members winning the World Student Yachting Championships – arising from the very competitive club racing which has evolved at home at MSC. To learn more, visit  http://mayosailingclub.com/ .

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