Adventures in Connemara

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

Address: Derrynacleigh, Leenane, Galway, Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)95 43411
connemara activities

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

Address: Letterfore, Recess, Co Galway
Tel: +353 (0)87 2273144
Mountain Biking

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!

Scuba Dive West

Address: Renvyle, Co. Galway
Tel: +353 (0)95 43922

Dive Academy Inis Mór

Address: Inis Mór, Co. Galway
Tel: +353 (0)85 7257260
Galway Diving

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.

Kayakmór Tours

Tel: +353 (0)93 36097

Give It A Go Sea Kayaking

Tel: +353 (0)87 1914911

Real Adventures

Address: Clifden, Co. Galway
Tel: +353 (0) 86 85 1462526
Kayaking

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.

Lahinch Surf School

Address: Main Street, Lahinch, Co.Clare
Tel: +353 (0) 87 9609667

Bens Surf Clinic

Address: Lahinch, Co.Clare
Tel: +353 (0) 86 8448622

Real Adventures

Address: Clifden, Co. Galway
Tel: +353 (0) 86 85 1462526
Surfing

FAQs about Adventures Activities in Galway

What adventure centres are in Galway for watersports?
There are some great activity centres for watersports in Galway that run group sessions, week long courses and camps for all ages in kayaking, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding and more. The main place in Galway City is Rusheen Bay Watersports but you can organise excursions with ‘Give it a go kayaking’ and Kayakmór. You could also try your hand at sailing a Galway Hooker with Galway Bay Boat Tours. In Connemara you have more options with Killary Adventure and Delphi Adventure Centre near Leenaun or Real Adventures Connemara who cover the whole region.
What are the best adventure activities on land in Galway?
Depending on your preference you can enjoy exhilarating mountain biking on Derroura Mountain Bike Trail or fat biking tours with Fat Bike Galway. If you prefer paintball or orienteering you should try Eile Mental near Furbo. For a variety of adventures like zip lines, archery, bushcraft or climbing walls Wildlands in Moycullen is the place for you.
What are the best unusual activities in Galway?
How about exploring rugged river gorges in Connemara by gorge walking with Killary Adventure? Or try coasteering or rock climbing in north Connemara with Real Adventures Connemara. How about going deep by exploring one of the many caves near Galway at Ailwee Caves, Doolin Cave in Clare or Pigeon Hole Cave in Cong. For a good indoor activity and if you like field sports you will enjoy Pure Skill in Knocknacarra where you can test your ability in Gaelic Football, Hurling, Rugby, Tennis, Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, and Golf all under one roof. See also our list of the most unusual attractions in Galway.

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