A puffin floats on the sea, seen from the side with its striped orange and black bill visible.
A dolphin surfacing beside the boat seen from directly above, blowhole visible, spray around it.
A seal in the water with its mouth open mid-yawn and its rear flippers raised above the surface.
A fulmar in flight over the sea with wings outstretched, hazy coastal hills in the background.
A razorbill running across the water surface with wings spread, splashing as it takes off.
A razorbill floating on calm water, with a clean reflection beneath it.
The East Light lighthouse standing on top of dark basalt cliffs on Rathlin, seen from the water under a flat grey sky.
An otter swims low in flat grey water, looking directly at the camera with wet whiskers.
A close-up of a minke whale's head and blowhole breaking the surface right beside the boat, water rolling off its skin.
Two razorbills perched close together on a narrow cliff ledge, showing their black and white plumage.
Two puffins swimming close together on rippled water lit with warm golden evening light, showing their black-and-white plumage and orange bills.
Two seals rest on a purple lichen-covered rock at the water's edge, both looking toward the camera.
The boat Selkie photographed from the water, a crew member standing on the top deck, under a bright blue sky with scattered cloud.
Two dark seabirds perched on a rocky cliff, one standing with wings spread to dry, cliffs rising behind them.
A gannet flying overhead, wings fully outstretched against a clear blue sky, seen from below.
Several seals rest on rocks and in shallow water along a rocky shoreline, one seal alert and watching.
A gannet swimming with wings raised slightly, head turned in profile against dark water.
A great skua, sitting on the water with its wings raised showing white wing flashes.
Coastal cliffs with a green clifftop above grey rock, a small stone ruin visible on the shore below.
A puffin swimming on blue water, close enough to show its colourful bill clearly.

Rathlin Island · Carrick-a-Rede · Causeway Coast

Wildlife Boat Tours from Ballycastle

Come out with us from Ballycastle Harbour in search of puffins, seals and lighthouses.

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Choose Your North Coast Boat Tour

Family-run boat tours on the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland. All our tours leave from Ballycastle Harbour: Rathlin Island for the wildlife and the lighthouses, Carrick-a-Rede for the cliffs, the caves and the rope bridge from below.

Not sure which tour suits you?

Have a look through our boat tours and see what is sailing this week. If you still can't decide, message us and we will tell you straight which tour fits you.

See this week's sailings Look at the gallery

Why sail with us?

A Family-Run Boat Tour and a Crew Who Love This Coast

We are a family-run boat tour company in Ballycastle. Our crew have spent years on the water around Rathlin Island and along the Causeway Coast. Each trip is unique, because the sea conditions and the wildlife encounters differ from day to day.

Wildlife on the water

Puffins, Seals, Dolphins and Seabird Cliffs

The waters around Rathlin Island and the Causeway Coast are full of life. What you see depends on the season, the route and the sea. Seabirds like puffins are here from April to mid-August. Out of season you can still see gannets and all our gull species. Seals lounge on the rocks nearly the whole year round. And if we get really lucky, dolphins or minke whales swim by.

Have a look at our gallery

Guest reviews

What Our Guests Say

People come for Rathlin, the wildlife and the lighthouses. Most of them end up writing about the crew.

  • Had a fantastic experience out to Rathlin with Kintra boat tours!! We got to see the puffins, as well as all of the other lovely wildlife. The crew were friendly and knowledgeable. I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting ballycastle!

    John A.Tripadvisor • Apr 2026

  • We had a beautiful trip with Kintra Boat Tours. Francis was a wonderful guide and provided us with a lot of great information along the way. He was very kind throughout the tour. The sites are beautiful! It's definitely worth it. One of the best parts of our honeymoon trip!

    Erica B.Tripadvisor • Sep 2025

  • Great experience! Very comfortable and new boat! Saw a variety of bird species, seals and beautiful views of the island. Great crew, very friendly and knowledgeable!

    Clara B.Google Reviews • May 2025

  • Great boat trip to see the puffins, seals and lighthouses. We were very lucky to see puffins as it is the start of the season. James and Steph were great hosts, very knowledgeable and friendly. We really enjoyed this trip and would highly recommend.

    Tripadvisor • Apr 2026
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Good to know

Before You Book Your Boat Trip

Planning a trip from Ballycastle Harbour? Here are the key things to know before joining Kintra Boat Tours on the North Coast.

View All FAQs
What should I wear?

Layers, always: a warm layer and a windproof one, even when the harbour is sunny, plus flat shoes with grip. Every week someone boards in a t-shirt and regrets it by the first headland.

Where do we depart from?

Ballycastle harbour, right beside the town. Selkie waits on the outer pier, on the pontoon just after the Rathlin ferry: follow the ferry signs, walk on past the ferry and you'll find us. Please be at the boat 15 minutes before departure.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes: dogs sail free, no ticket needed. Keep them on a lead. Most people forget how cold it can get on the water, so please make sure you have your dog covered.

What if the weather turns?

Every sailing depends on safe sea conditions. If we have to cancel because of the weather, you hear it from us fast and you get a full refund or credit, as our refund policy says. The sea makes the final call on this coast.

Ready to get on the water?

Book Your Boat Tour

Pick your tour, check the dates and book online in a couple of minutes. We will meet you at the boat in Ballycastle harbour, 15 minutes before we sail.

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Want more North Coast in your life?

Puffin facts, wildlife sightings and what is happening on the water. Twice a month, no more, no spam.