Water Sports in Ireland
Surfing
Ireland's breaks are becoming increasingly popular with surfers. The best months in Ireland for surfing are April to May and September to October. During the winter months there is cold weather, water temperature below 5°C and often huge swells, or during the summer, long flat periods.
The most popular surf breaks are to be found in: the Donegal Bay; along the Causeway Coast; certain spots along the coast of County Clare; the Dingle Peninsula and beaches along the Ring of Kerry. Also, popular areas include west Cork, Kerry and Clare with centres in Baltimore, Dingle and Ballyvaughan.
Wannasurf - Map to Irish Surf Spots
www.lahinchsurfshop.com
Ireland's first surf shop with daily update to surf conditions with picture of waves in Lahinch.
Diving
The West Coast of Ireland offers some of the best diving in Europe with visibility customorily around 50 feet (15 metres) and treasure of old wrecks to explore. The season extends from March to October and outside these months weather and water conditions can be very cold, wintery and unpredictable.
Popular dive areas include West Cork and Kerry is great for diving, with centers in Baltimore and Dingle. The minimum requirement to dive in Ireland is a PADI certificate. The Irish Underwater Council list the numerous club sites in Ireland and publish a handy book the CFT Guide to Irish Dive sites.
The Irish Underwater Council (CFT)
78A Patrick Street
Dun Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
Tel: +353 1 284 4601
Fax: +353 1 284 4602
Email: scubairl@indigo.ie
Website: The Irish Underwater Council
Burren Adventures Dive Centre
Based in Ballyvaughan, offers experiences, courses and boat diving for all levels.
Dive Ireland
Sailing
Picturesque coastal towns and stunning scenery make the West Coast a delight for cruising sailors. The best part of the coast for cruising is West Cork, and Kerry is also very popular.
Sail Ireland Charters
Trident Hotel Marina
Kinsale
Co.Cork
Tel: +353 21 477 2927
Fax: + 353 21 477 4170
Email: sailirl@indigo.ie
Royal Irish Yacht Club
Dun Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
Fax: +353 1 284 2470
Email: info@riyc.ie
Website: Royal Irish Yacht Club
Dingle Sea Ventures Ireland
Dingle
County Kerry
Tel: +353 66 915 2244
Website: Dingle Sea Ventures Ireland
Glenans Irish Sailing Club
5 Lower Mount Street
Dublin 2
Tel: +353 1 661 1481
Fax: +353 1 676 4249
E-mail: info@glenans-ireland.com
Website: Glenans Irish Sailing Club
Afloat Magazine
Sailing Ireland
West Cork Ireland
Windsurfing
Some say that Ireland is one of the best all-round windsurfing spots in Europe, with world class wave sailing conditions for windsurfers. This is reflected in the popularity of windsurfing among the Irish due to which there are plenty of places to rent equipment.
Surfdock - Windsurfing School
Grand Canal Dock Yard
Ringsend
Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 668 3945
Email: surfdock@hotmail.com
Jamie Knox Windsurfing Shop and School
Magharees
Castlegregory
Co. Kerry
Tel: +353 66 39411
Canoeing and Kayaking
Ireland is ideal for canoeing and kayaking with over 3000 miles of coastline, lakes and rivers, providing superb canoeing opportunities with spectacular scenery. Canoeing can be enjoyed by people of all ages and levels, from the challenging Macgillicuddy Reeks in County Kerry to the mirror-smooth Shannon River.
Irish Canoe Union
House of Sport
Long Mile Road
Dublin 12
Tel: +353 1 450 9838
Email: office@irishcanoeunion.ie
Website: Irish Canoe Union
Atlantic Sea Kayaking
Union Hall
West Cork
Tel:+353 282 1058
Email: atlanticseakayaking@eircom.net
Website: Atlantic Sea Kayaking
River Ocean Kayak
2 Muckinish West
Ballyvaughan
Co. Clare
Tel: +353 65 707 7043
Email: info@riverocean.com
Website: River Ocean Kayak
Activity Ireland
Caherdaniel
Co. Kerry
Tel: +353 66 947 5277
Fax: +353 66 947 5280
E-mail: info@activity-ireland.com
H2O Extreme
Kilkerran
Ballinspittle
Co.Cork
Tel: +353 21 477 8884
Email: whitewater@dol.ie
Website: H2O Extreme
Rowing
Rowing is a strong Irish sport and has been for over a century. It is an all-Ireland sport and clubs are to be found in most counties and in all provinces. If you are a rower visiting Ireland you will be given a hearty welcome at any of the numerous clubs. Check the Irish Amateur Rowing Union web site for details.
Website: Irish Amateur Rowing Union
