Top 11 Kayaking Trips in Ireland

1.Dublin Bay Seal Kayaking Safari at Dalkey

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 380 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $143Our pick

Paddle Dublin Bay from Bullock Harbour on a beginner-friendly seal safari to Dalkey Island, with wetsuits, safety coaching, and UNESCO views.

“A great day. You get to kayak along the coast which cool to see from this perspective. Philip who ran the tour was very good. He has lots of interesting information about the history of the area and the animals in the bay. We got really close to plenty of seals as well which was a highlight.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Connemara Coastal kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 200 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $93

Guided Connemara coastal kayaking from Clifden with wetsuits and safety gear, wildlife spotting, and scenic paddling to Bundouglas Beach.

“We forgot a towel and it was raining. The wetsuits kept you comfortable but a towel at the end would have been nice. The kayak itself was very enjoyable. Danny did a great job explaining everything before we started and stayed with the group without having to the reins too tight. Would highly recommend recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Kayaking & Canoeing in Limerick City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 128 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Paddle Limerick’s River Shannon with Nevsail Watersports for 90 minutes of safe kayaking or canoeing, wildlife, games, and local history.

“I thought I was getting a historical river Kayaking tour up the river Shannon. We hardly went anywhere and only two historical markers were pointed out. The majority of the time was playing a water game pass the ball.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Music Under the Bridges Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 65 reviews · from $67

Paddle the River Liffey with live Irish musicians performing under Dublin bridges, mixing easy kayaking skills with an intimate city concert.

“Pure magic! We paddled upstream and stopped under a bridge, where singer-songwriter Cara Coyle performed several of her soulful original songs accompanied by guitar. She has a gorgeous voice, and the acoustics were fabulous. As we floated back downstream, she sang two more songs in the Dublin twilight. Loved every moment!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Wexford: Hook Peninsula Sea Cave Kayaking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 27 reviews · from $96

Guided sea-kayaking on Ireland’s Hook Peninsula, with warm gear, sea caves, wildlife sightings, and history stories, plus snack included.

“The whole team were friendly, informative & fun. When on the water, they were watchful and took great care to station themselves in front of obstructions and sources of potential danger to keep the group. They were full of fun and energy as they shared fascinating facts and history of the area.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Kayak and SUP Tours Kilkenny

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $66Best value

Paddle Kilkenny in a double kayak or SUP, passing Kilkenny Castle and Greens Bridge weir. 90 minutes, small group, from $66.

“Great activity in heart of Kilkenny, my first time in a kayak - absolutely would recommend this. It was our second day in Ireland and was nice to have a physical nature-based activity. Our guide Roger was excellent and had great tips on the whole country for us!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Sunset Kayak Trip on Dunlewey Lake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews

Sunset sit-on-top kayaking on Dunlewey Lake in Donegal, coached for beginners with Errigal and Poison Glen views.

“Joe was absolutely fantastic! Very calm, great with direction and made us feel entirely safe. It was such a beautiful place and we highly recommmend doing this tour! It was one for the books!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.7 Arches Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $108

Paddle Donegal’s Fanad coast to the Seven Arches and Portsalon Caves, with pro guidance, gear, and a cave waterfall stop.

“This was the highlight of our time in Ireland and Naomi, our guide, was outstanding! We saw sights that are only available from the sea. We entered caves, walked the 7 arches of unexpected wonder the whole time being guided and informed by Naomi. They also provided wet suits and all the gear we needed. What an experience. I highly recommend this excursion to anyone who really wants to experience the cliffs and wonders of Ireland!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.2.5 Hour Guided Sea Kayaking in Roundstone Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Guided sea kayaking in Roundstone Bay, Galway. Paddle with a local guide, see Wild Atlantic Way views, possibly reach Inishlacken island.

“It’s was a great experience. Our tour guide Ciara was very professional and shared loads of local knowledge with us.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Kayak to Innisfallen island. Killarney. Guided. 2½ hours.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $96

Guided kayak trip from Ross Castle to Innisfallen Island in Killarney National Park, with wetsuits, safety coaching, and abbey ruins.

“Mick was on time, had all the supplies we needed and was patient with us to get the fit right on the wetsuits. He gave us a brief lesson on kayaking. Once in the water he stayed close to us and gave encouragement and suggestions. He kept us at a nice, relaxing pace. He told stories and the history of what we were seeing. I would definitely recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Sea Kayaking around Bray Head with Pictures

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $85

Guided sea kayaking from Bray Head to Greystones in County Wicklow with wetsuits, life jackets, and free photo downloads.

Check availability →Read our full review