Kayaking in Kerry

Cappanalea OETC runs kayaking tours on the Lakes of Killarney for groups, (minimum of 6 people in group), either adults and children or both.

The tour can include the famous Monastic Island of Inisfallen where deer and the ancient monastic ruins are visited; the limestone outcrops and caves offer opportunities to kayak through amazing natural rock formations; or you can kayak over to the mountain shore where the sea eagles may be seen hovering overhead.

Leave the mainland behind and paddle west in the direction of islands rich in history and culture, visiting locations steeped in archaeology and marine wildlife. Where the ancient monks settled on the Skellig Rock, to old monastic ruins on Church Island, drift over to St Finians Bay, or head to the Blasket islands soaked in history, tradition, wildlife and stories; the Atlantic is your oyster!

Indulge yourself in the best Gourmet food on your travels but most importantly stop, breathe the salt air and relax, this is an opportunity for you to engage with the Wild Atlantic Way in Kerry. Trips tailored to match competence. All offshore trips require Level 4 skills as a pre requisite.

Cappanalea OETC is located within easy reach of the Wild Atlantic Way and operates from many access points to the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. The Centre has a substantial fleet of sea-kayaks and has a number of qualified sea-kayaking instructors on staff. These courses run to cater for all standards of kayakers who already have the basic foundations. The tours start off at an introductory level in the more sheltered coastal waters. Intermediate kayakers can venture further afield visiting some of the inshore islands or along some of the coastal highways. Advanced sea-kayakers can join in on some of the more challenging trips visiting the off shore islands or more exposed coastlines. All trips will take the paddlers to some of the more isolated and beautiful parts of the Kerry coastline. During your trips you will also learn some techniques in improving your sea-kayak skills and may get an opportunity to land on some of the off shore uninhabited islands. Cappanalea OETC also organised sea kayaking expeditions where participants visit and camp on some of the uninhabited offshore islands.  These expeditions are run over weekends or over more extended periods. Expeditions include the Kenmare Bay; Dingle Bay; The Maharees; The Skellig Rocks and the Blasket Islands. For all Sea-Kayaking Day Activities there is minimum number of participants required.  Sea-kayaking Tours and Expeditions can be tailored to meet individual’s needs please contact us via the below option.  

Start Kayaking at Cappanalea on the gentle flat water of our neighbouring lake. Day courses on Caragh Lake or perhaps even on the beautiful Lakes of Killarney can be facilitated with prior agreement. Kayaking activities are offered for a full and half day.

At Cappanalea OETC we run a wide range of courses which allow our students to progress through the various National Governing Body – Canoeing Ireland certified kayaking skills proficiency levels within the sport. Our qualified instructors train and assess people up to and including Skills Level 4 as well as a number of Kayak Instructor Courses in accordance to the Canoeing Ireland syllabi. Assessments are run periodically throughout the year for more information contact the office.

Once an individual has mastered the basic kayaking skills, Cappanalea OETC provides the opportunity to move onto some more exciting water. The Wild Atlantic Way waves rolling in on Rossbeigh Strand provide an exciting dimension for kayak surfing in Kerry.

For the more experienced kayaker, Cappanalea provides opportunities for individuals to progress their kayaking skills from flat-water onto faster moving water and onto white-water rapids. An introduction to faster moving water is run on the River Laune from Killarney to Killorglin. Fast white-water rivers include the Flesk in Killarney; the Lower Caragh and the Upper Caragh and Owenroe River in Kerry.