Offers of Kayaking Northern Ireland

If you’re the kind of person that likes to complain about the rain, you should consider this: if it never rained, there’d be no streams, rivers or lakes. And if there were none of these, where (apart from the sea) would we be able to go kayaking? That’s right, a bit of rain never hurt anyone, and in the places where it rains more frequently, there’s more water to explore in a kayak. That’s why we’re recommending Northern Ireland as a fantastic destination for this sport. Rivers crisscross the beautiful Ulster landscape, connecting huge inland lochs with inlets and estuaries. And that’s not to mention the spectacular coastline, including one of the great natural wonders of the United Kingdom: The Giant’s Causeway.

This activity is a perfect way to explore this part of the world. It’s related to canoeing - in practice the main differences that kayaks are controlled with a double-ended paddle and canoes with a single paddle - and both allow you as an individual or small group to explore inshore and offshore waters with a degree of control that’s hard to match in other watercraft. While easy to learn, the range of locations and waterways where you can enjoy paddling in Northern Ireland means that there’s always something new to experience, and challenging excursions can be found alongside entry level options around the country.

Where are the best places to go kayaking in Northern Ireland?

• Around Belfast: The capital straddles the Lagan River, which is a perfect destination for doing this activity that you can enjoy without leaving the city. The Lagan meadows is a green zone that stretches on both sides of the river for several miles to the Southeast and is a peaceful spot to escape from the bright lights of the city. Another option is Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the UK which is an easy drive away from the city centre and is popular among kayakers of all abilities.

• Southeast: As well as the largest lake in the UK, Northern Ireland also boasts the biggest sea inlet in the country - Strangford Lough in County Down. Calm waters, numerous islands and varied wildlife make this a perfect place to try sea kayaking, but it’s not the only one. From Rostrevor, you can take a trip on Carlingford Lough, an estuary near the Irish border. You can enjoy this sport on waters away from the coast too, in the beautiful surroundings of Castlewellan Lake, or on a journey down the Blackwater River where you might share the journey with inquisitive otters.

• Southwest: County Fermanagh is a water lover’s paradise boasting a network of lakes and rivers that covers around a third of the county’s area. The largest are Lower Lough Erne and Upper Lough Erne. They’re fascinating places to navigate, with irregular shorelines that conceal hidden bays, and so many islands that it can feel at times that you’re travelling down a river with land on either side.

• Northwest: One of the most important rivers in the North of the island is the Foyle. It flows through Londonderry as it approaches the Atlantic ocean and you can paddle right through the heart of second most important city - with the tide helping you along if you’re lucky. Another river that you can discover is the River Brann from the town of Crannagh. And where this meets the Atlantic at Portrush there’s the opportunity to kayak over the waves and explore the coast.

• Giant’s Causeway: This extraordinary part of the coast, in County Antrim in the Northwest, is the result of ancient volcanic activity. Hexagonal pillars jut up out of the water and form geometrical patterns in the surf and the cliffs over a large area of the Atlantic coast. Most visitors will enjoy this sight from the land, but you can get even better views, and explore some of the semi-submerged formations, in a kayak.

What are the options for organising an experience?

- From simply hiring the equipment to embarking on a voyage of discovery, there are so many ways to enjoy kayaking in Northern Ireland. Kayak hire is great if you have some experience and you want to be able to go off at your own pace, and is usually organised by the hour. If it’s your first time, we recommend taking a lesson, where an expert instructor will help you get to grips with the equipment and the techniques that you need in order to get the most out of this sport. Over the course of 1 or 2 hours, you’ll learn the basics and build up your confidence.

- Once you know how to handle a kayak, you can start taking it further afield, and the best way to do that is by going on a tour with a guide who can take you on a trip that includes the highlights of the local area. Most tours last a couple of hours or half a day, but for the real enthusiasts there are multi day paddling tours of the coast to enjoy. Paddling the coastline of County Down, or the length of the North coast are unmissable options.

- When it comes to the boat itself, the original definition of kayak is a personal boat, so the most common type is an individual kayak. It’s also possible to find it also doubles, whereas canoes usually seat 2 or 3 people. Another popular option here is a sit-on-top kayak, which isn’t enclosed and so doesn’t run the risk of taking on water and sinking in choppy waters. Sea kayaking over long distances involves specialist boats that can handle waves and include covered space to store equipment.

Requirements to do this activity

This experience is a very accessible sport, as the equipment is relativelly simple to use, and the chances of turning the boat over are very low. In many places in the region, particularly tranquil lakes, children from around 8 years old and up can have a go at paddling their very own kayak, and younger children can ride in the front seat of a tandem double one. That's why it’s great for the family - you never know who’s going to get the hang of it first and be the fastest paddler around!

Some experiences, especially those on the open ocean off the North and East coasts are reserved for older kayakers, especially those with some experience or at least a familiarity with the water. If you’re going to be paddling for half a day or day or more, be prepared to use your arms more than you might be used to!

Now that you know all about it, you can tell us what floats your boat and we’ll make the adventure happen!