Best Adventure Activities
Outdoor adventure in Galway 🧗
Take a break from the mundane and let your spirits soar with an adventure activity in Galway. From refreshing walks along startlingly beautiful coastline to cycling through lush countryside, there is a range of adventure activities to suit everyone. If water sports are your thing, why not take a surfing or sailing lesson in one of the many sheltered bays. Don’t fancy getting wet? Embark on an equestrian adventure through the rolling forests or gallop on a wind-swept beach. Or why not visit one of the outdoor adventure centres to get your heart pumping? Whatever your choice of holiday activity, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Galway.
Choose Your Own Adventure 🏞️
Whatever gets your adrenaline pumping there a good chance you’ll find the activity for you at Killary Adventure. Jump, slide, swing and swim through one of the toughest obstacle courses in Ireland at their Turf Warrior Challenge. They are also one of the main centres for watersports activities on the west of Ireland organising kayaking, water-skiing, wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding and speedboats trips around the scenic Killary Fjord. If you prefer land based activities they offer climbing, abseiling, high-ropes courses, hillwalking in the beautiful mountains of Connemara, clay-pidgeon shooting, raft-building, bushcraft and much more.
Killary Adventure
Mountain Biking 🚵
Derroura Mountain Bike Trail is considered to be the most natural bike trail in Ireland with the most variable terrain. Situated in Connemara about 6km beyond the town of Oughterard in un-spoilt countryside, the trail is just over 16kms long. It winds through deep forest and has a number of long climbs and exhilarating descents. At the halfway point in following a steep ascent you can enjoy fabulous views of Lough Corrib and west towards Maam valley and westwards to the Twelve Pins. Give yourself about 1 ½ – 2 hours to complete the loop.
Derroura Mountain Bike Hire
Diving 🤿
The waters in Galway Bay are clean with great visibility which makes for safe diving for those with all levels of experience. Galway has countless inlets along its rugged coastline with excellent reefs to explore. The nutrient rich Gulf Stream ensures an abundance of marine life to see. The most popular diving locations are in Connemara at Carraroe (opposite the harbour) and at Trá An Doilín (The Coral Beach). Killary Harbour is also a very popular diving spot due to the extensive variety of marine life and some very large conger eels!
Kayaking 🛶
Galway is a popular location for kayaking enthusiasts as there are a number of different kayaking options to choose from. With the River Corrib flowing through the city and a network of canals throughout the town you have the opportunity to explore the city in a unique way. Sea Kayaking on Galway Bay is also a great option for visitors as you can kayak past the stone walls and old fishing boats of Galway docks and explore Rabbit and Hare Island, Oranmore Bay, Mutton Island Lighthouse while taking in the fantastic views of the Burren, Galway City and Salthill, before you return to join the busy city of Galway once more.
Real Adventures
Surfing 🏄♂️
The west of Ireland is famous for having some of the best surfing in Europe and Galway City is just over an hour from some of the best surfing beaches on the west coast. The beaches of Lahinch, Fanore, Doonbeg in Co. Clare and Carrowniskey in Co. Mayo offer excellent surfing opportunities. If you don’t have a board Lahinch is the best option for board rental as there are a number of good surf schools in the town.