From seal colonies to sunset parties: The cruise putting Wexford Quay back on the map

A new attraction on Wexford Quay is giving locals and visitors alike the chance to experience the region from an entirely different perspective…

Operated by Three Sisters Cruise Company, the Wexford River Cruise has quickly established itself as a popular addition to the local tourism offering, with cruises taking passengers on a scenic journey to Raven Point’s famous seal colony.

The company, which already has extensive experience operating river cruises and ferry services elsewhere in the South East, launched the Wexford River Cruise with a clear goal in mind. Their maiden voyage took place in June 2025 — and now just after one year in business, we caught up with the owner Suzanne Finn for a chat.

Explaining the motivation behind the venture, the team said:

“We wanted to help reinvigorate Wexford Quays for both tourists and locals. We knew that many people weren’t aware of the Raven Point seal colony or the beauty of Wexford as seen from the water, and we wanted to share that unique perspective.”

“We already have a lot of experience running cruises from New Ross to Waterford on our Barrow Princess cruiser, and we operate the Saltee Ferry from Kilmore Quay to the Saltee Islands. The Wexford River Cruise offers a brand new experience with our 90-minute cruises to Raven Point seal colony and back. Our onboard commentary describes many of the fascinating points of interest along the way,” Suzanne told Wexford Weekly.

The modern vessel can accommodate up to 99 passengers, plus crew, and features both an upper outdoor viewing deck and a heated indoor lounge complete with onboard toilet facilities. Cruises operate on weekends from April through December, with daily sailings during the busiest summer months. Because sailing times are dictated by the tide, departure schedules vary throughout the season.

Since launching, customer feedback has exceeded expectations. Reflecting on the response from passengers and the wider community, Suzanne said:

“Absolutely. We’ve received overwhelmingly positive comments from passengers, whether they’ve joined our 90-minute cruises, hen and private hire parties, educational trips, or guests on our special events. We’ve been blown away by the support that we’ve received from local businesses and residents, all happy to see something new to Wexford Quay!”

Operating a cruise business in Wexford Harbour comes with its own unique considerations, however. Discussing the practical challenges involved, the team explained:

“The tide is our main challenge, as we are only able to offer cruises during high tide, which changes daily. It keeps things interesting, though! On a positive note, this means our cruiser is very stable in the water, and passengers get a smooth ride all the way to Raven Point and back.”

One of the strengths of the business has been its broad appeal, attracting a diverse range of passengers rather than a single customer group. Describing the variety of guests who come aboard, the company told Wexford Weekly:

“We get a wide cross-section of passengers: families looking for a fun adventure, couples seeking a relaxing cruise, hen and private hire parties looking for a unique party space, older and younger passengers enjoying our heated indoor lounge and snacks, and plenty of tourists and locals alike enjoying the beauty of Wexford from the water!”

Alongside its regular sightseeing cruises, Wexford River Cruise has also developed a growing calendar of themed events and special sailings. One of the highlights this summer is the Midsummer Boat Party, which has generated considerable interest.

Speaking about the popularity of these events, Suzanne told Wexford Weekly:

“We run a large number of special cruises throughout the year, from Ibiza boat parties and onboard music and cabaret shows, to our very popular special cruise during the Wexford Opera fireworks display, as well as our spooky Haunted Halloween cruise and Christmas Santa cruise for families. The Midsummer boat party itself is a fun event with a live DJ, full bar serving cocktails, beers and spirits, and a great party atmosphere. We love trying different events to appeal to our many different passengers and are always open to new ideas!”

As visitor numbers continue to grow, the Wexford River Cruise is helping showcase the harbour’s natural beauty while offering something different for both residents and tourists. From seal-watching excursions and family outings to party cruises and seasonal events, the venture is proving that there is still plenty to discover on the waters of Wexford Harbour.

For more information, or to book your next cruise ticket, check out the Wexford River Cruise on the Three Sisters website.