East Coast Sailing Guide: Exploring Ireland from Malahide Marina Dublin
East Coast Sailing Guide: Exploring Ireland from Malahide Marina
From short coastal trips around Dublin Bay to longer cruises towards County Louth and Wicklow, there is an impressive variety of destinations within reach. You can spend a few hours on the water, anchor for lunch somewhere beautiful, visit a harbour town for the afternoon, or plan a full weekend away.
This guide is designed as a starting point for planning your cruises from Malahide Marina. Distances are approximate and actual passage times will depend on your boat, weather, tides and chosen route. Before every trip, check the latest weather forecast, tidal information, navigation warnings and local harbour information.
Lambay Island
Approx. 4 nautical miles from Malahide Marina
Lambay Island is one of the closest offshore destinations to Malahide and a natural first stop for anyone exploring the coastline by boat. Located just off the north Dublin coast, it's easily recognisable from the water thanks to its distinctive coastline and relatively isolated position.
For boat owners, the attraction isn't necessarily reaching a harbour — Lambay is about enjoying the journey, finding a suitable location to stop, and making the most of being on the water. Its cliffs and surrounding waters attract a variety of seabirds and marine life, making it enjoyable for families, photographers and anyone wanting a peaceful afternoon.
Ireland's Eye
Approx. 7 nautical miles from Malahide Marina
Located just off Howth, Ireland's Eye is another excellent short-range destination. The island offers impressive cliffs, rocky coastline and a strong sense of being away from the mainland — the journey is just as important as the destination.
Waters around Howth can get busy in summer, so good situational awareness and careful navigation matter here. A relaxed day can be simple: cruise across from Malahide, find a suitable place to stop, prepare lunch onboard, and enjoy the scenery — close enough to return comfortably while still feeling like a proper day out.
Howth
Approx. 7 nautical miles from Malahide Marina
Howth is one of the most natural destinations to include in your east coast cruising plans — a well-known fishing and sailing centre on the northern side of Dublin Bay. Once you arrive, Howth offers harbour facilities, restaurants, cafés, pubs and coastal walks.
Cruise across Dublin Bay in the morning, explore the harbour and enjoy the excellent seafood, then return to Malahide later in the day. If time allows, the Howth Cliff Walk provides spectacular views back across Dublin Bay.
Leave your boat at Howth Yacht Club for €17.50 for up to 5 hours — a convenient option to explore the harbour, enjoy lunch or walk the coastline before heading back to Malahide.
Skerries
Approx. 15 nautical miles from Malahide Marina
Heading north from Malahide brings you to Skerries, a popular coastal town with a strong maritime character. The passage is noticeably longer than Lambay or Howth, making it a good progression for boat owners looking to extend their cruising range.
The journey is long enough to feel like a proper cruise, but not so long that it becomes a major passage. Arrive around lunchtime, enjoy lunch onboard, explore the harbour and town, walk along the coast, or choose a local restaurant for a meal ashore.
Dún Laoghaire
Approx. 15 nautical miles from Malahide Marina
For those wanting to head south, Dún Laoghaire is one of the most interesting destinations on Dublin Bay. The passage provides a completely different perspective of the capital's coastline, with views towards Howth, Dublin city and the south Dublin coastline.
The harbour is surrounded by cafés and restaurants, while the famous East Pier offers one of Dublin's most enjoyable waterfront walks. Choose a suitable weather window and the trip south from Malahide can be a very enjoyable cruise.
Poolbeg Marina
Approx. 16 nautical miles from Malahide Marina
Located on the south side of Dublin Bay, Poolbeg gives you the opportunity to arrive in the capital by boat and use your marina berth as a base for exploring the city — a great step up from shorter trips such as Howth.
Leave the boat and explore the surrounding area, including the famous Poolbeg Lighthouse and the Great South Wall, or continue into Dublin city centre for sightseeing, shopping, food and culture. Seeing Dublin from the water gives you a completely different perspective of the city.
Greystones
Approx. 42 nautical miles from Malahide Marina
Greystones is where your east coast cruising starts to become a proper passage rather than simply a day trip around Dublin Bay. The journey south requires more planning and a suitable weather window — for many boat owners, that's exactly what makes it appealing.
Located on the County Wicklow coast, the distance suits a weekend trip: leave Malahide, spend time exploring Greystones, and return the following day. The town has a relaxed coastal atmosphere, with the harbour and seafront offering plenty of opportunities to walk, eat and unwind after the passage.
Carlingford
Approx. 45 nautical miles from Malahide Marina
Heading north provides another excellent longer-distance option. Carlingford is a significant coastal passage and should be planned with the same care as any longer trip — weather, tides, fuel range and your boat's capabilities should all be considered before departure.
Carlingford sits at the southern shore of Carlingford Lough, with the Cooley Mountains providing a dramatic backdrop. The town is well suited to an overnight stay — explore its medieval streets, enjoy a meal in a local restaurant or pub, and take your time before the return journey to Malahide.
A Simple Progression
You don't have to start with a 40-mile passage. Start close to home, build confidence, and gradually extend your cruising range from Malahide.
Practical Sailing Considerations
Every trip is different, and distances alone don't tell you how challenging a passage will be. Before leaving Malahide Marina, consider:
Weather
Check the latest forecast and pay particular attention to wind direction, strength, visibility and sea state.
Tides
Tidal conditions can significantly affect your passage time and your ability to enter or leave certain destinations comfortably.
Fuel & Range
For longer trips such as Greystones or Carlingford, calculate your fuel requirements carefully and allow a sensible reserve.
Navigation
Plan your route before departure and make sure your charts and navigation equipment are up to date. Be aware of shipping, fishing activity and shallow water.
Your Boat & Crew
A 45-mile passage on a fast motorboat is a very different experience from the same passage on a sailing yacht. Consider speed, range, handling and crew experience.
The East Coast Is Waiting to Be Explored
The real advantage of having your boat at Malahide Marina isn't simply having somewhere to berth — it's having an excellent starting point for exploring. Lambay Island. Ireland's Eye. Howth. Skerries. Dún Laoghaire. Poolbeg. Greystones. Carlingford. Each destination offers something different.
So check the forecast, study the charts, prepare the boat, and choose your next heading.
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