Clew Bay: Islands, Seals and Kayaking in County Mayo
Clew Bay is a large sheltered bay on County Mayo's Atlantic coast, dotted with over 100 islands. Local folklore claims 365 - one for every day of the year - but the actual count is 141 named islands, which is plenty. The bay sits between Croagh Patrick to the south and the Nephin Beg mountains to the north.
You can see Clew Bay from several vantage points around Mayo, but the best way to experience it is from the water. Cruise boats leave from Westport Quay, kayak operators run from Newport and Collanmore Island, and ferries connect to Clare Island - the largest island in the bay and the former stronghold of the pirate queen Grace O'Malley.
The bay is at its best on a calm day with good light, when the islands cast long reflections. On grey days, it can look bleak. Check the forecast before booking a boat trip.
What to Expect
The most popular way to see Clew Bay is from a cruise boat departing Westport Quay. The standard trip runs about 90 minutes and costs around EUR 20-25 per adult (EUR 40 for a family ticket). You pass through the inner islands, see seal colonies hauled out on rocks, and get close enough to the smaller islands to see the remains of old cottages and field boundaries.
The commentary on most cruises covers the bay's history, Grace O'Malley, and the wildlife. Dorinish Island usually gets a mention - it was briefly owned by John Lennon in the late 1960s. He never lived there. The island is uninhabited and overgrown.
For something more active, kayaking is the better option. Operators based at Newport and Collanmore Island run guided sea kayak trips through the inner islands. You paddle between drumlins - low, rounded islands deposited by glaciers - and can land on some of them. Seal encounters are common. No experience is needed for the guided trips, but you will get wet.
Clare Island is the largest island in the bay, about 45 minutes by ferry from Roonagh Quay (near Louisburgh). Grace O'Malley's castle stands at the harbour. The island has a pub, a few B&Bs, walking trails, and a lighthouse converted into a guesthouse. A day trip gives you enough time to walk the loop trail and eat at the pub. Overnight stays are possible if you want to slow down.
The downside of Clew Bay is weather dependence. On a flat, grey day with low cloud, the views are ordinary and boat trips feel exposed. The bay also faces west, so Atlantic weather systems hit it directly. Cancellations happen. If you're building a trip around a Clew Bay cruise, keep your schedule flexible.
How to Get There
Clew Bay wraps around Westport, which is the natural base. Westport Quay, where most boat trips depart, is a ten-minute walk from the town centre. Newport, at the eastern end of the bay, is 15 minutes by car from Westport.
For Clare Island, you need to drive to Roonagh Quay near Louisburgh - about 30 minutes west of Westport. The ferry runs several times daily in summer, less frequently in winter. Book in advance during July and August.
There are several good viewpoints along the bay's shoreline. Old Head, south of Louisburgh, has a car park and short walk to a headland with wide views. Bertra Beach, on the southern shore, is a sand spit extending into the bay. The summit of Croagh Patrick gives the most dramatic aerial view, but that involves a 3-5 hour hike.
If you're arriving in Mayo from elsewhere in Ireland, car rental gives you the most flexibility. The bay's access points are spread over 30km and public transport doesn't cover the coastal roads.
Where to Stay Nearby
Westport is the best base for exploring Clew Bay. It has the widest range of hotels, B&Bs and restaurants in County Mayo. Newport is a quieter alternative, 15 minutes east.
Overlooks the quay with views across Clew Bay. Convenient for morning boat trips. Good spa.
Check availability →What Else is Nearby
A Note on the History
Clew Bay's most famous historical figure is Grace O'Malley - Grainne Mhaol in Irish - the 16th-century pirate queen who controlled the western seaboard from her base on Clare Island. Her castle at Clare Island harbour still stands. She famously sailed to London to negotiate with Elizabeth I in 1593, reportedly refusing to bow because she considered herself an equal sovereign.
The drumlin islands in the bay are geological leftovers from the last ice age. As glaciers retreated, they deposited mounds of clay and gravel across the landscape. When sea levels rose, the lower-lying drumlins were partially submerged, creating the scattered island pattern visible today. Some islands still show evidence of pre-famine habitation - field walls, lazy beds, ruined cottages.
Dorinish Island was purchased by John Lennon in 1967 for EUR 1,700 (adjusted). Lennon and Yoko Ono visited briefly. A commune lived there for a time. Lennon's estate donated the island to a local charity after his death. It remains uninhabited.
Frequently Asked Questions
