Water Sports in Cork
Cork is the perfect place to Staycation in Ireland, the meandering coastline around Cork has many fantastic inlets, coves, and beaches to enjoy for an afternoon to spend out in the water followed by a tasty picnic on the beach with the family. What better way to spend a day than out in the fresh sea air, choose from the many Cork water sports such as sea swimming, boating, sailing, surfing, wakeboarding or kayaking, plenty of choices here in Cork, we will let it up to you what you choose.
Kayaking
Explore Cork City from a different and new perspective, by kayaking with Atlantic Sea Kayaking along the River Lee. The tour will last 2 ½ hours meandering down the River Lee, under the many bridges allowing you to enjoy mother nature all around you and learning the fascinating history of Cork City. Advance booking is required for all tours.
Boat Hire
Fancy a trip around Cork Harbour, the second largest natural Harbour in the world. You can choose from a self-drive boat or to exploring the Harbour at speed, in the comfort of a high-speed Sea Safari Rib, where one of the Cork Harbour Boat Hire Skippers will take you on a remarkable trip around the Harbour. You will get the opportunity to marvel at an array of birds and sea creatures that inhabit the region. Located only a short 20-minute drive from the hotel, in Cobh. Cork Harbour Boat Hires, offers a truly great outdoor experience for all the family.
Watersports Activity Centre
Looking to experience a variety of water sports for all ages, Oysterhaven Activity Centre is one to visit. Located in beautiful Oysterhaven, 30 minutes drive from the city. Open back in 1981 as Ireland first only windsurfing centre, it has a fun water activity for all the family from surfing, kayaking, sailing to multi-activity summer camps for all ages.
AquaPark
Located 40 minutes drive from the hotel in Cecilstown, Mallow is Ballyhass Aquapark offering water activities for the family from wakeboarding, kayaking, swimming and raft building. For those who would like to stay on dry land, you can enjoy archery, wilderness skills, and challenges.
In addition to water and land activities, those who have a head for heights can try ziplining, cliff climbing and a high ropes course. These are all interesting ways to get a bit of healthy competition going between family members and ensuring a great fun-packed day out.
Surfing
If surfing is your water sport of choice and you are looking to experience surfing while holidaying in Cork, why not check out G Town Surf School. This Surf School is at Garrettstown Beach a 35-minute drive from Cork City. This fully approved Irish Surfing Association Surf School is one to explore for surfers of all abilities.
Sailing
Want to get a taste for sailing and learn how it feels to have the wind in your sails, you must experience SailCork, located 20 minutes from Cork at East Ferry Marina in Cobh. Eddie English leads a team of sailing instructors who offer a very comprehensive list of sailing courses. SailCork is approved by the Irish Sailing Association (ISA), the RYA and by Failte Ireland.
Little ones are also welcome, get their wetsuit’ and lifejacket’s on and they can join you in learning how to sail with the professional SailCork team.
Sea Swimming
From amateur to passionate sea swimmers, there is a beach within easy reach of the city for you. Looking for a morning or an afternoon swim choose from popular beaches such as Garryvoe, Garrettstown, Rocky Bay, Myrtleville, Fountainstown Beach and the Dock Beach Kinsale all located within 30 to 40 minutes drive of the hotel, Kinsale Harbour is a great place for paddle boarding in Cork if sea swimming isn’t your thing.
If you want to go further and make a day trip out west you have plenty of beaches to choose from in scenic West Cork there is the blue flag sandy beach of Inchydoney located just outside the picturesque town of Clonakilty, Warren Beach and Owenahincha outside Rosscarbery and Barleycove outside Schull.
