I took the plunge to experience a really thrilling water adventure on the open seas of south Dublin thanks to a kind invitation from Ed at Goat Boat Tours
South Dublin has always been my playground and I’ve explored most of it on a bike or by foot, however I was treated to a whole new perspective of viewing it all from the sea with one of my best pals, Conor.
Ed is a really amazing host, tour guide and skipper, putting us all at ease as we rode up and down the Irish Sea. With 11 passengers in total, our 90 mins was the perfect blend of coastal exploring, adrenalin bumps and fun times.
Our day began at their HQ located in Dun Laoghaire next to the Marina entrance where we got kitted out in some seriously weatherproof jackets and comfortable buoyancy aids.
Always taking a risk in December, the weather gods were thankfully unbelievably kind to us, with mostly blue skies and only a light wind to contend with.
The route took us out of Dun Laoghaire harbour into Scotsman’s Bay to view Dun Laoghaire’s new baths, Sandycove beach and some brave folks diving in at the famous Forty Foot.
From here the engine cranked up to head south, bouncing through the waves on nature's rollercoaster. Passing some of Ireland’s most glamourous seafront properties -some belonging to famed filmmakers and musicians – we cruised through the fast-moving tidal waters of Dalkey Sound where we got to view Dalkey Island and some of its many seals and birdlife during its period of winter isolation.
Its historical buildings, which Ed expertly shared some stories about, include an impressive 7th century stone church and a Martello Tower from the Napoleonic wars. The winter sunlight created a bit of a magical golden hue to the buildings and the surrounding rocks and grassy mounds.
Leaving the southern entrance of the deep channel, the panoramic vista opened up with the distinctive silhouette of Wicklow’s Sugarloaf ridges and Bray Head in the distance and the dominating Killiney Hill immediately above us.
The sweeping Killiney Beach seemed full of folks out getting in the fresh air and enjoying the favourable weather before the arrival of the busy Christmas season. Ed brought us in a little closer to the rocky shoreline away from the rolling swell to take in the view of one of my favourite spots in Dublin– the Victorian Vico Baths which is carved onto the side of Killiney Hill where it meets the chilly Irish Sea.
The newly-discovered ‘Eire 7’ that’s been recently restored, was really quite an impressive sight as we got to view it from the angle designed for the foreign WW2 bombers to know when approaching neutral Irish shores.
Carefully picking an opportunity to fully turn the rib between the rolling waves, Ed brought us back through the channel where I spotted two fellow kayakers hugging the shores of Dalkey Island and bravely cutting through the sizable swell – perhaps I’ll get to try that one soon too!
Turning for home, Ed saved the best of the throttle work for the open water safely further out from the shore. Thanks to the bow design of the boat, we seemed to outrun the waves, comfortably surfing the peaks and skimming the surface at an exciting speed.
Although I have to admit to feeling some of the effects of the rolling swell with my stomach letting me know it was grateful not to have had lunch before setting out, the absolute thrill of carving and surfing through the water, sometimes at considerable speed, was definitely one afternoon I’m going to remember for quite some time.
Huge thanks to Ed and the fantastic team at Goat Boat Tours for kindly inviting me to experience your thrilling, new adventure in Dublin Bay. Amazing day out ….
