Kayak & Camp Trips
Pack your kayak, head to sea and enjoy a summer camping experience on a wild offshore island
Kingdom Camp & BBQ, Mid-Summer, Kerry.
Mid-Summer Night
Come to the Kingdom of Kerry and enjoy an Irish Mid Summer Night with a real difference. Shearwater SK is offering a “simmer dim” kayaking trip in a stunning location. We will combine it with a barbeque, an overnight camping experience, dramatic sea cliffs, seabirds and natural history “up close and personal” and all on a wild offshore island.
This is the essence of true sea kayaking so why not pack your boat, take to the sea and enjoy a very individual camping and kayaking adventure. As part of our overnight experience, we will include a midnight walk to seek and listen for one of Ireland’s most ephemeral natural history sounds. The call of Manx Shearwaters returning to their breeding colonies is both eerie and evocative. The sounds have intrigued and inspired both native and visiting writers for generations. Legend or myth, soothsayer, banshee or púca........ an unforgettable and not to be missed Shearwater experience awaits.
Cost
€150 for kayakers wishing to hire sea kayaking equipment.
€120 for kayakers who have their own sea kayaking equipment.
This includes :
- Hire of all the necessary sea kayaking equipment, kayak, paddle, buoyancy aid, longjohn wetsuit and waterproof cagoule.
- Evening BBQ meal and breakfast al fresco on the island. Please not that alcoholic beverages are not included.
- Camping equipment may be rented at a nominal cost. An equipment list will be sent out to participants close to the date
Proposed Schedule (weather dependent)
Norway
Day 1 Meet 1300hrs at Portmagee Harbour. Organize equipment before departure to our offshore island at 1700hrs. Set up camp, relax and walk the island and enjoy good barbequed food until late into the night.
Day 2 Depart the island 1030hrs. Enjoy a leisurely paddle along the awe inspiring Atlantic sculpted coastline before heading back to Portmagee at 1600hrs.
Suitable for Level 2/3 Kayakers.
Bookings
Please select a date below to book online:
Mon 18th Jun 12 - Tue 19th Jun 12
Connemara Islands Camping Trip
August Bank Holiday Weekend
There are a multitude of islands on our western seaboard. In North Connemara, islands in realm of the legendary Pirate Queen like Inishbofin, Inishturk, Clare, Inishark, High Island, Davillaun, Turbot, and Caher are there to be discovered by sea kayak. On the South Connemara coast lie Oileán Mhic Dara, Oileán Máisean, Inis Mhúscraí. These islands are full of historic interest and natural history interest.
Connemara in August is a riot of wildflower colour. The islands are particularly attractive with the purple and gold combination of western Gorse and purple heathers. The beaches see the return of Curlew, Sanderling, Redshank and Whimbrel from the Arctic breeding grounds while offshore the summer bloom of plankton and fish life is at its peak. This is the best month to see the massing of post breeding seabirds like Terns, Shearwaters and Petrels and there is always a chance of a real encounter with Porpoise, Dolphins and Basking Sharks.
Come with us on a camping expedition to the wilder side of Connemara.
Cost
€150 for kayakers wishing to hire sea kayaking equipment.
€120 for kayakers who have their own sea kayaking equipment.
Weekend Schedule (Weather dependent)
| Saturday | Meet 11am at a destination to be announced. Prepare the kayaks and head to sea. Enjoy an exploratory paddle before setting up camp and barbeque until late. |
| Sunday | Enjoy a leisurely morning exploring the island then into the kayaks for another trip before returning to the mainland at 4-5pm. |
Suitable for Level 2/3 Sea Kayakers.
Please email or call us if interested in this trip or if unsure of your ability level.
Bookings
Please select a date below to book online:
Sat 4th Aug 12 - Sun 5th Aug 12
Inishkea Islands Camping Trip
View photos from the Inishkeas
June Bank Holiday Weekend
The Inishkea Islands, Mayo’s most north westerly island outposts are steeped in social and natural history. Abandoned in the early 1930s, the deserted ruins of the island villages stand witness to a once thriving community before the drowning tragedy of 1927 when 10 fishermen so tragically lost their lives. The remains of the Whaling Station set up by Norwegians in 1907 and the many early Christian monastic sites give the islands lots of added interest.
Today, the islands are better known as a wildlife habitat. During the spring and early summer, the machair is ablaze with wildflowers. The rich flora supports an amazing biodiversity of both insect and birdlife. The islands are especially rich in breeding waders and perhaps support the highest breeding density of species like Lapwing, Dunlin, Snipe, Redshank and Ringed Plover in Ireland. The evocative sound of “drumming” Snipe and plaintive calls of Lapwing make the islands a wonderful overnight camping experience.
Arctic and Common Terns breed annually and most of the regular seabirds can be seen on the island’s western cliffs. The islands merit a full exploration for the visiting sea kayaker as both contain fine beaches and rugged coastal scenery. The Inishkea islands hold the largest population of breeding Atlantic Grey Seal in Ireland and encounters with these Dolphins and Sunfish are not uncommon. In recent years, Corncrake have been heard calling on the islands during the summer months and from October to late April, the islands are home to thousands of Barnacle Geese from Greenland.
Cost
€150 for kayakers wishing to hire sea kayaking equipment.
€120 for kayakers who have their own sea kayaking equipment.
Weekend Schedule (Weather dependent)
| Saturday | Meet 11am Portmore Pier at south western tip of Belmullet. Prepare the kayaks and paddle for Inishkea South. Set up camp, have lunch and head out again on an exploratory paddle along the shore of the island. If conditions allow, we will cross to Inishkea North and go on a wildlife exploratory trip. Camp and barbeque until late. |
| Sunday | Enjoy a leisurely morning exploring the island then into the kayaks for another trip before returning to the mainland at 4-5pm. |
Suitable for Level 2/3 Sea Kayakers.
Please email or call us if interested in this trip or if unsure of your ability level.
Bookings
Please select a date below to book online:
Sat 2nd Jun 12 - Sun 3rd Jun 12