Quick Details
Go stand-up paddling & camping at Kenmare Bay
Challenge yourself on a truly exceptional adventure! Experience Ireland in a whole different way. Glide through the crystal water, camp under the stars, and explore the Ring of Kerry as never before. Discover the real Ireland, the people, the food, the wildlife, and the raw natural beauty.
Anyone who has been camping before will tell you about the sense of exhilaration and refreshment you get after a few days in the wilderness.
And anyone who has been stand-up paddleboarding before will tell you about the sense of calm, peace and achievement you gain after spending some time on the open water.
This adventure is the perfect opportunity to escape the humdrum of daily life and reassert your own sense of wonder, awe, and physical prowess.
Have you ever gone on a hike through a beautiful place, sunlight dappling the ground through the canopy above, and found something wonderful and unexpected? That sense of childlike delight and excitement, that sense of discovery, that is what you will find while paddling through the waters of Kenmare Bay.
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Kenmare Bay is located in the southwest of Ireland on the stunning Ring of Kerry and the Wild Atlantic Way, bordered by the Iveragh Peninsula on one side and the Beara Peninsula on the other.
Kenmare Bay is a Special Area of Conservation and the area abounds with history, wildlife and the rugged terrain Ireland is so well known for.
The surrounding area boasts castles, ring forts, stone circles, and a wide array of wildlife, including seals, dolphins, white-tailed sea eagles, and the potential otter!
The sheltered location offers perfect paddle conditions with plenty of inlets and islands to explore along the way. Our top-of-the-line equipment, wetsuits, boards, paddles, buoyancy aids, will keep you warm and paddling happily while our tents and sleeping bags are perfect for a good night’s sleep al fresco. We’ve got you covered.
The weather during an Irish summer is never too hot nor too cold. The temperature hovers around 20°C (68°F) during the day with up to 17 hours of daylight at the summer solstice. Sea temperatures can reach up to 16°C (60°F) in August.
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- Day 1 – Thursday: Collection from Kerry Airport and/or Killarney that afternoon. On your transfer to Sneem, you will pass through the Killarney National Park and beautiful Molls Gap before crossing the mountains and getting a first look at the sea. Upon arrival at camp you will find a delicious meal simmering over a roaring camp fire. After getting acquainted with all your fellow paddlers and eating your fill, the tents will be waiting.
- Day 2 – Friday: After a good night’s sleep and eating a hearty breakfast we’ll set off on our SUP boards ready for a day of exploring. When we launch in the morning, we will be paddling through the islets surround Parknasilla Resort and Spa, a converted old mid-18th-Century castle. One of the islands even has its very own seal colony! We’ll stop for a picnic lunch along the way as we work our way up the bay. After setting up camp, another tasty hot meal will be prepared.
- Day 3 – Saturday: Similar to the previous day, we’ll get ready and set off in the morning, keeping an eye on the coast. As we continue along our journey, we will paddle a short way up the Blackwater River, a Special Area of Conservation and home to some rare freshwater pearl mussels, all under the watchful gaze of the towering Macgilicuddy Reeks. Eventually, we will find our way to the Greenane Islands to set up camp for the night.
- Day 4 – Sunday: Sunday will start off the same. The final stretch of our paddle will see us passing by Dromore Castle and An Culu, a modern-day fairy-tale style castle, complete with a private pier. By around lunchtime we’ll find ourselves in Kenmare with our adventure complete. A farewell lunch will take place before jumping back on the shuttle bus and being transferred back to Killarney or Kerry Airport.
- Day 5 – Monday: Return to work with a heap of photos to make your colleagues jealous or continue on your holiday, a little brighter, a little bolder, and ready to take on the world!
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- 3 nights camping
- 3 dinners
- 3 breakfasts
- 3 lunches
- Tea, coffee, snacks
- All SUP equipment
- All camping equipment
- SUP instruction
- SUP exploration
- Wildlife spotting
- Local history
- Local ecology
- Transfers at start and finish to Killarney
- Certified SUP instructors and beach life guard
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- Airfare/transport to and from Killarney, Ireland
- Personal belongings and luggage
- Personal travel insurance, medicine, and spending money
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Due to the weather-dependent nature of stand-up paddleboarding, there is a small chance that we will be unable to paddle on one or more of the scheduled days. In this scenario, never fear! We have some great alternative plans set in motion for just such an occasion. These include hiking to hidden waterfalls, extra nights in luxury hotels, visiting country pubs with local storytellers and musicians, and many more. We are ready for anything! The local knowledge of the tour guides means that a fantastic time will be had regardless of whether we are paddle boarding the whole time or not.
Please note: This is a rare occurrence!