Try Sea Kayaking in Dublin

While much of Dublin can be enjoyed on dry land – the castle, the parks, the bars, and the stadium, travellers would be forfeiting a significant amount of the city’s charm by not taking to the water. Besides the River Liffey, which splits Dublin into two distinct regions, the Irish Sea is as much a part of the town as is Guinness, Grafton Street, and Croke Park.

The Irish affinity for the sea translates into a growing culture of sea kayaking in Dublin. The many caves, rock arches, beaches, and abundance of seals and birds give the sport an incredible backdrop here.

Several kayaking businesses based out of Dublin offer tours of the coastline and the deeper sea. These excursions can be geared for beginners, families, and more advanced kayakers.

Located in Dun Laoghaire Harbour, just south of Dublin’s city centre, these businesses are easy to reach and eager to assist. Visitors need only supply the name of their accommodation in order to arrange a reservation and transportation to the Harbour.

Dalkey Island, where dozens of seals lounge, is the preferred destination of tour groups. While sea kayaking can be enjoyed year-round in Dublin, the warmer summer months are favored for optimal wildlife and sunlight conditions.

Finally, the holy grail of sea kayaking out of Dublin is the journey across the Irish Sea. Taking an exhausting 18 hours, this feat is not a reasonable goal for beginners, but it does help to explain the passion surrounding sea kayaking in the Irish capital. Many kayaking aficionados come to Dublin to spend as much time on the water as possible.