This 12-day voyage aboard the Ocean Endeavour shows Ireland in its best light. This island nation has always embraced the ocean. From cosmopolitan Dublin to coastal Ulster, there’s so much to see by sea. Irish culture is vibrant and welcoming. Visit quaint villages, harbor towns, and modern cities. Meet the people, hear the stories—and tap your toes to the music! Explore another side of Ireland aboard Zodiacs. Cruise rugged coastlines. Find abundant seabirds, and keep your eyes peeled for whales. Ireland is a photographer’s paradise, a traveler’s dream; you will see it all—by sea.
Highlights
Learn Irish history, archaeology, and culture from enthusiastic experts
See the remarkable collection of Celtic art at the Rock of Cashel
Spot rare seabirds and marine mammals along Ireland’s rugged coasts
Explore rolling countryside, charming towns, and scenic islands
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arriving independently in Dublin, gather to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers.
The Rock of Cashel is bound to be a highlight: home to one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture anywhere in the world. The Rock is the jewel at the heart of County Tipperary. Our journey by sea aboard the Ocean Endeavour begins this afternoon.
A combination of expedition landings and coastal towns awaits us along Ireland’s south coast. The expedition team makes the most of your opportunities; enjoy hiking, photography, and birding—in addition to town visits.
Cork, Ireland’s second largest city, is a must. It is known for its bridges, St. Finn Barre’s Cathedral, the English Market, its beautiful architecture, and its many multicultural offerings.
A ship’s cruise of Clear Island should be a hit with birders. The island is home to shearwaters, auks, skuas, black and common guillemots, cormorants, and storm petrels. Seals, basking sharks, and dolphins frequent the surrounding waters.
In the afternoon visit Ilnacullin Garinish, Bantry Bay. Here view rare and exquisite plants at one of Ireland’s top gardens. A Martello tower offers excellent views, and a seal colony rounds out the list of attractions.
This scenic route around the Irveragh Peninsula in County Kerry takes in outstanding views of coastlines, rolling rural scenery, and numerous cultural attractions. Historic sites, including castles, abbeys, mansions, and cathedrals are dotted along the route.
Killarney National Park, “The Jewel in Kerry’s Crown” is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. From the foot of the Macgillycuddy Reeks (the highest mountain range in Ireland) to the outskirts of Killarney, the park encompasses lakes, mountains, and plains.
Skellig Michael (Sceilg Mhichíl), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rocketed to new fame as the fictional home of Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi. Spot actual residents like puffins, petrels, and shearwaters on our ship’s cruise.
Visit the town of Dingle, rich in Irish music and culture. The town boasts historic buildings, medieval ruins, an aquarium, arts and crafts shops and more. Thirsty visitors can find numerous pubs and a distillery.
Rising over two hundred metres above the Wild Atlantic Way, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most outstanding natural attractions—as attested by their popularity with visitors. They have been featured in numerous films, including The Princess Bride.
Watch out for seabirds as the ship cruises by the cliffs. A landing in the region provides excellent opportunities for walking, hiking, sightseeing and photography.
The Aran Islands are geologically and culturally unique. Inishmoor, Inishmann, and Inisheer are limestone Islands located in Galway Bay. Subject to temperate climatic conditions, they are home to diverse range of plant and animal species.
The Arans are also bastions of Irish history and culture; a large proportion of the population are Gaelic speakers. Some of Ireland’s oldest archeological remains are found here. Inishmoor medieval hill fort is a highlight of your visit.
Just off the Connemara Coast lies Inishbofin. Prior to the Irish Famine, this outpost was home to 1,400 souls; today the population is less than two hundred.
Clew Bay is said to have ‘an island for every day of the year’, many of them drumlins. The town of Westport in the bay is famed for its music, history, and beauty: “The most beautiful view I ever saw in the world,” according to novelist William Makepeace Thackeray.
Toraigh (Tory Island) lies nearly fifteen kilometres off the northwest coast of County Donegal. The main spoken language on the island is Gaelic. Since the 1950s, the island has been home to a small community of artists, and has its own art gallery.
Historical sites include Balor’s Fort, the Wishing Stone, the Bell Tower, and the twelfth-century Tau Cross. The island is an important breeding site for corn crakes, a globally threatened bird species.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Causeway is a geological wonder. About 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, formed by volcanic eruption, form ‘steps’ leading from the coastal cliffs, to below the surface of the North Sea. Numerous legends associate the causeway with the mythic hero Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool).
Rathlin Island, the only inhabited island off Northern Ireland, is designated a Special Area of Conservation in Northern Ireland and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds nature reserve.
The largest city in Northern Ireland, and its capital, is also the second-largest city on the island of Ireland. Once considered dangerous, at the height of the troubles in Northern Ireland, Belfast was previously much better known as a centre for industry, particularly shipbuilding. The HMS Titanic was completed in a Belfast shipyard, and sailed from Belfast on its maiden voyage.
Today, Belfast is a popular tourist destination, known for music, architecture, gardens, and the arts.
Day 12: Dublin | Disembark
1 Breakfast
On your last day, wind up back where you began: Dublin. Ireland’s glorious capital—beloved home of poets, musicians, and dreamers—lies at the mouth of the River Liffey.
Once you disembark, you may enjoy exploring one of the world’s great cities, take your optional post-tour around the Isle of Man, or journey on to your next destination. Safe home!
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$5,995
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Quadruple - Category 1
Deck four: Interior cabin, four lower berths, private bath (separate shower room and powder room) - approx. 240 sq. ft.
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Triple - Category 2
Deck four: Interior cabin, three lower berths, two private baths - approx. 200 sq. ft.
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Interior Twin - Category 3
Deck five: Interior cabin, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 125 sq. ft. (twin)/110 sq. ft. (single)
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Exterior Twin - Category 4
Deck four: Porthole window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 100 sq. ft. (twin)/90 sq. ft. (single)
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Main Twin - Category 5
Deck five: Picture window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 115 sq. ft.
Deck seven. Forward-facing picture windows, unobstructed view, matrimonial bed, private bath with full tub, refrigerator - approx. 310 sq. ft.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the double occupancy rate.
Initial deposit is $2000, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. Accepts client cards for deposit only. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners
11 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
It is mandatory to have emergency evacuation and medical insurance to travel with Adventure Canada. It is recommended to obtain a basic minimum coverage of $500,000 on all cruises.
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
