Top water sports locations in Galway

With its miles of beaches and unspoilt stretches of ocean, Galway is an ideal location for water sports enthusiasts. You can enjoy swimming, surfing, sailing, rowing, and even scuba diving in clean water and pleasant surroundings. Check out our guide to the best places to visit and the most popular water sports activities. 

Surfing…

If you're a bit if a surfer dude/dudette, then pay a visit to Rusheen Bay, one of Ireland's leading windsurfing schools. This enclosed bay is located just outside Galway city on the west coast of Ireland.

Rusheen Bay offers excellent conditions and provides an ideal, as well as safe, learning environment. Its calm waters and prevailing cross-onshore winds are perfect for beginners and it's a fantastic flat-water venue.


Rowing…

You can test your rowing skills on the River Corrib. A number of major competitions take place here and it's one of the most popular rowing locations in the county. Clubs in the city include Galway Rowing Club, Woodquay and the Tribesman Rowing Club.

If you're into sailing you can bring your own boat, board or vessel. Clubs in the area include the Galway Bay Sailing Club, situated two miles from Oranmore Village and Clifden Boat Club.


Swimming…

Galway is home to some fantastic blue flag beaches. Salthill is a popular beach located about 2km from Galway city centre while Silverstrand near Barna has a safe and sandy beach and is particularly popular with families. It's suitable for swimming at low tide but the beach is largely covered during high tides.

Scuba Diving…

If you're looking for the best in scuba diving, then look no further than Scuba Dive West. They're located on Connemara's sheltered Killary Fjord in the stunning West of Ireland.

It offers courses and tutoring for all levels of scuba divers and you get to socialise with other divers as well. They offer a variety of courses: Deep Diver, Dry Suit Diver, Digital Underwater Photographer, Enriched Air Diver, National Geographic Diver, Night Diver and Search & Recovery Diver

Canoeing & Kayaking…

You can learn all the various strokes of canoeing and kayaking as well as lots more in a fun and exciting way at Corrib Canoe Courses. It's based in the heart of Galway city. Experienced instructors provide you with the opportunity to learn a new sport in a safe environment. There are loads of games and activities for you to partake in as well.

 

If you pay a visit to Killary Adventure Centre you can take charge of your own kayak as you paddle out into the waters of Killary Fjord. It's only about a 10-minute paddle to Seal Island where you'll see a family of seals.

Power Boat…

For power boat courses you can head to Killary Harbour and in particular Killary Adventure. It’s a very safe area and is surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Water skiing, wake boarding, ringo rides, coastal trips as well as safety rescue for wind surfing and sailing are all popular activities that require boat driving skills.

Need somewhere to stay in Galway? Ckeck out our Galway hotels page.

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