Marine tourism is one of Ireland’s most important industries and most geographically widespread. It is one of the fastest-growing parts of the blue economy, supporting businesses and jobs in every coastal county. Ireland's long coastline (approximately 7400 km), beautiful harbours, and clean waters attracts visitors from all over the world.

The sector encompasses a wide range of water based leisure and adventure activities such as sailing, cruising, kayaking, windsurfing, wild swimming, diving, whale/dophin watching, birdwatching, coastal walks, sea angling (both boat and shore fishing), and eco-tourism experiences.

Ireland has a strong sailing and regatta tradition that attracts visitors worldwide. Key events include the Volvo Dún Laoghaire Regatta in Dublin Bay, the historic Roundstone Regatta in Connemara with its Galway Hookers (traditional Irish sailing boats), and the Royal Cork Regatta, the world’s oldest, held each year in Cork Harbour. These regattas blend top-level competition with Ireland’s maritime heritage, appealing to both sailors and spectators.

Adventure tourism in Ireland draws thousands of sports enthusiasts and adventurers to water events, competitions, and rugged landscapes. Activities range from birdwatching at the National Bird Sanctuary on Bull Island in Dublin to cliff diving at Downpatrick Head in County Mayo. This growing sector supports a wide variety of jobs and business opportunities.

Ireland is a hotspot for international windsurfing, attracting athletes and visitors to some of the wildest coasts in Europe. Events like Mayo Mayhem on the Atlantic coast of County Mayo bring top competitors from across Europe for challenging wave conditions, while the Roundstone Windsurfing Slalom in Connemara tests speed and skill in Gurteen Bay. These competitions show how Ireland’s rugged coastlines make it a prime destination for windsurfing and watersports enthusiasts.

Coastal towns are showcasing local culture through seafood festivals, heritage trails, and maritime museums. From the Wild Atlantic Way to Ireland’s Ancient East, Marine tourism connects people working in diverse industries from sightseeing and wildlife tours to adventure tourism including scuba diving in Kerry or cliff diving from Downpatrick Head in County Mayo. Guided tours include seafood tours in Galway Bay, visits to the Great Blasket Island from the Blasket Centre on the Dingle Peninsula, and trips around the coasts of the Blasket Islands.  

The FLAG initiative, run by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), supports Ireland’s coastal communities with sustainable projects. Funded by the Irish Government and the EU’s EMFAF, the 2025–2029 programme provides €15 million for local priorities like marine tourism, environmental protection, seafood innovation, and small coastal businesses.

Ireland's major ports play a pivotal role in facilitating marine tourism, acting as gateways for visitors  to explore Ireland’s coasts. Ports like Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Galway, and Belfast regularly welcome international cruise ships. The Port of Cork is Ireland’s largest cruise port with 100 cruise visits annually.  

Sea Angling and Fishing Tourism

Ireland is internationally recognised for the quality of its angling, with renowned sea fishing locations along the Wild Atlantic Way, the South East coast, and inland estuaries. Each year, thousands of visiting anglers—particularly from the UK, Europe, and North America—travel to Ireland to experience its clean waters and abundant fish species such as bass, pollack, and mackerel.

Angling tourists contribute significantly to the rural and coastal economy, not only through fishing itself but also by spending on accommodation, dining, transport, and retail.

While the number of direct jobs in angling is relatively limited, positions often attract individuals with a strong personal passion for fishing and marine life. Career paths may include working for charter companies offering guided sea angling tours, managing fishing lodges or coastal accommodation, or serving as expert staff in tackle and bait shops, where local knowledge and expertise are essential for visiting anglers.

Economic and Employment Opportunities

Marine tourism is the biggest employer in Ireland’s ocean economy and one of the main ways coastal communities benefit from the sea. It provides jobs in hotels, tour companies, water-sports centres, ferry services, and visitor attractions.

Facts and Stats

• 10% of Ireland’s overall tourism sector is estimated to be marine-& coastal-tourism (activities along the sea/coast).
• Ireland’s ocean economy employs nearly 39,000 people and generates over €6.5 billion. Approximately 25% of all money earned within Ireland’s ocean economy comes from tourism and recreation.

Marine and water-based activities are a key driver of outdoor and adventure tourism, contributing substantially to local economies through accommodation, hospitality, and related services.

Key Roles in Marine Tourism 

Marine tourism in Ireland supports a wide range of jobs across coastal and inland communities. Some key roles include:

Tourism and Recreation

• Tour guides (marine, wildlife, heritage, or coastal tours)
• Historians, reseachers, and authors
• Boat and ferry operators
• Diving and snorkelling instructors
• Surfing, kayaking, and sailing instructors
• Whale- and dolphin-watching guides
• Adventure tourism coordinators

Hospitality and Services

• Hotel, guesthouse, and B&B staff in coastal areas
• Restaurant and café workers (especially seafood and coastal dining)
• Event organisers for regattas, festivals, and races
• Transport and logistics providers for tourists and equipment
• Conservation and Environment
• Marine ecologists and environmental educators
• Coastal rangers and outdoor recreation officers
• Sustainability and eco-tourism coordinators

Enterprise and Support

• Seafood producers and local craft sellers linked to marine tourism
• Marketing and digital media specialists promoting coastal destinations
• Policy, planning, and development officers (e.g., local authorities, BIM, Fáilte Ireland)

Trends in Marine Tourism 

Eco-Tourism provides a platform to educate visitors and protect marine environments. Electric boat tours, eco-friendly diving, and digital booking tools are helping reduce carbon footprints and protect Ireland’s ocean wildlife. These are all part of Ireland’s Sustainable Tourism Strategy and the EU Blue Economy vision. 

Ireland is embracing digital tools to enhance marine tourism. Tourism operators are adopting digital tools to improve experience, safety and accessibility. From apps allowing users to log marine wildlife sightings to virtual and augmented reality tools expanding landscapes and timelines, tech is becoming an integral tool in conservation efforts and visitor experience.

Significant investments are being made to improve coastal infrastructure, enriching visitor experiences at key destinations. For instance, Valentia Island offers lighthouse tours and boat trips around Valentia and Skellig Michael, attracting tourists to these historic sites.

Coastal and island communities are leveraging maritime heritage such as lighthouses, shipwrecks, and historic ports to create immersive storytelling experiences. Sailing, yachting, rowing, windsurfing, and wild swimming are integral aspects of Ireland’s cultural heritage and a growing area of international tourism. 

Did You Know

Ireland’s first marine park, located off the coast of County Kerry, protects a rich and diverse marine ecosystem, including shipwrecks, seabirds, and marine mammals. It offers tourists unique experiences such as whale watching, guided diving tours, and educational programs about ocean conservation. The park represents a pioneering effort in combining marine biodiversity protection with sustainable tourism, helping local communities benefit from Ireland’s blue economy.

Wild swimming is a growing part of Ireland’s marine tourism, attracting visitors to experience the country’s coastal waters up close. Events like the Great Fjord Swim in Killary Fjord, County Galway, offer organised swims in scenic fjords, while the Liffey Swim in Dublin showcases open-water swimming in a city river that connects to the sea. Popular coastal spots such as Keem Bay on Achill Island and Carlingford Lough also draw tourists looking to swim safely in natural marine settings.

Irish Sailing is the national body for sailing, powerboating, and windsurfing in Ireland, with over 100 clubs and centres across the country offering opportunities to get on the water.

Ireland’s waters are protected by three amazing rescue services — the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), and Community Rescue Boats Ireland (CRBI). Together, they respond to emergencies along the coast and on inland waterways, saving lives and keeping people safe. The RNLI has 46 volunteer-run lifeboat stations and opened its first station in Arklow in 1826. The IRCG can trace its roots back to 1822, has 44 Coast Guard units across Ireland, and responds to an average of 3,000 call outs per year. Community Rescue Boats Ireland (CRBI) is a nationwide network of volunteer rescue boats, trained and supported by Water Safety Ireland, dedicated to keeping Ireland’s waters safe.

Ireland’s National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023–2027, Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, aims to make coasts, rivers, and countryside more accessible while protecting nature and supporting local communities. It also encourages learning new skills, working together, and enjoying the outdoors responsibly.