Rent a boat with or without skipper in Ireland

The mystical landscapes of Ireland will make you wonder about the history and stories of the country. With a vibrant atmosphere, happy, crowded and music lively streets and bars, you surely won’t be disappointed by the energy of the local residents. Hire a boat and discover the incredible coastline, from dunes to 150-metre cliffs, there is plenty to explore in the country of Ireland. Besides, Ireland also has many islands off of its coasts. For instance, sail to the iron islands and discover old ruins and castles.

Best time to hire a boat in Ireland

The best time to visit Ireland is during the summer season. Hiring a boat during this period will be a lot more comfortable, with good weather and more stable winds. It can still rain in Ireland during summer so make sure to carry a rain jacket and some rainproof shoes. Nevertheless, most days are clear with the sun out so you’ll be totally fine.

Winter is a lot more chaotic on the island, with colder temperatures, a lot of rain and strong winds. It’s definitely better that you plan on hiring a boat in the high season.

Pricing and information for a boat rental in Ireland

Ireland is a pretty wealthy country, and the prices surely aren’t the cheapest in Europe. Therefore hiring a boat can get quite expensive. Fortunately, SamBoat has some very cheap deals on the platform, with relatively low prices. *

Rent a sailboat for a starting price of 50€ per day in Ireland. For a motorboat you can hire for around 730€ for a whole week.

Do you need a licence to charter a yacht in Ireland

No you don’t need a licence to rent a boat in Ireland. You can basically charter a yacht without having a boating certificate with you. It is still strongly suggested that you do pass a course before operating a boat as it can be life threatening if you don't know how to properly conduct the vessel.

It is mandatory to wear a life jacket and there still are some age requirements in order to navigate.

People under the age of 16 can’t operate a “fast pleasure craft” and can only conn boats that can go up to 17 knots at most.

What to do in Ireland

There are a ton of things you can do in Ireland while renting a boat, hopping from island to island on a whole week adventure or even visiting the cliffs of Moher. You can also rent a canal boat in Carrick on Shannon and relax while cruising on a beautiful day.

The Iron islands make for an amazing escape. With fantastic sceneries, and historical sites such as castles and ruins, it’s a place worth sailing to if you want to immerse yourself in the magic of the country.