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Experience the waters of the river Corrib and Galway Bay on our tour boats, specially designed to provide a safe and comfortable experience – the open and unrestricted views of our route around Claddagh and the Port of Galway, where you might even catch a glimpse of Nimmo, our resident dolphin!
Dolfijn is the larger of our boats and can carry up to 12 passengers comfortably making her a very popular boat with our customers since adding her to the fleet of Galway Bay Boat Tours in 2020. The main seating area is on the large open deck with additional seating inside if you prefer.
Ideal for individuals who may join in on our daily 1 hour Galway Bay Tour or for a group who may want a boat hire for an hour or so. Equipped with a small galley in the cabin below, and an onboard toilet (head), why not bring a picnic or try a spot of fishing, or take an extended cruise out into the bay towards Salthill, Galway, the midway point of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Willie Joe became the first tour boat back in 2012 when we launched our new business venture – Galway Bay Boat Tours. Popular especially with our younger passengers and future skippers, she is ideal for families, small groups and even private tours for that special occasion.
Willie Joe is often seen in Claddagh alongside the local fleet of traditional boats of Galway Hooker Sailing Club where she provides training and support during on-water events run by the Galway Hooker Sailing Club.
Dolfijn (pronounced doll fine) is a 33ft motor vessel with a forward wheelhouse and is fitted with a Ford 250hp inboard engine – which means she has a cruising speed of 6 knots and a top speed of 12 knots.
Dolfijn is a Cygnus Cy-fish 33 built by Cygnus Marine in Cornwall in 1983. These boats are renowned for their style and seakeeping ability and are still being built today. Her original owner was based in Oostende, Belgium, hence the name which is the Dutch spelling for Dolphin. She was purchased in 2019 and sailed by our crew from Oostende to Ramsgate (UK), before being transported by road to Galway. Over the following year, she underwent a refit, including some interior modernisation as well as adding all the necessary safety equipment to comply with the Department of Transport passenger boat regulations.
Willie Joe is a 21ft open motor boat fitted with a beta marine 43hp inboard engine. It is a comfortable and reliable tour and work boat. There is seating onboard and with the open plan layout it allows for 360-degree views while taking a gentle cruise around the mouth of the river Corrib in the Port of Galway and out on to Galway Bay. Willie Joe has a cruising speed of between 2 and 5 knots.
This boat was built by Cygnus Marine in Cornwall in 1996. It was originally called Joseph William, and used as a fishing boat off the coast of Suffolk for 11 years before making its way to the Claddagh in the west coast of Ireland. In keeping with old boating traditions to not change the name, instead our boat became known as ‘Willie Joe’.
Over the next few years Willie Joe was refurbished to become a passenger tour boat, including fitting a new engine, handrails, safety equipment and other features required to meet the standards as required by the Department of Transport.
