Our tour begins with a first night's stay at Maria's Schoolhouse.

Day1

Next morning after breakfast (10am), you will meet up with your guide at the Schoolhouse. Our launching point for Glandore Bay is the pier in Union Hall one of Ireland's premier fishing villages with a population of about 200 people. This was a favourite holiday destination of Jonathon Swift and it is here he wrote his famous book Gulliver's Travels. The paddling today will be in sheltered waters, a distance of about 6 miles over the day. After lunch we kayak further offshore to Hi and Lo islands. Here we encounter Grey Seals as they look curiously at us. The noise from the different sea birds is also very spectacular at these islands, which are not approachable by any other type of craft other than a kayak. We will enjoy dinner together at one of the local restaurants. We sleep soundly that night in Maria's Schoolhouse.

Day 2

Sees us heading for Horse Island and Skiddie's island which marks the entrance to Castletownshend harbour. On the tip of Horse island standing proud is a Martello Tower which was erected to guard the entrance to the Harbour. We land here and have our lunch before we explore the island. Where we explore it's many caves and archways. On our return to base we ride the tide Our trip draws to a finish at the village of Castletownshend, which lies about 1 mile from the Harbour's mouth. This picturesque village is marked by a beautifully maintained castle and more importantly for the tired kayaker a friendly pub with great sea food. Here we will have our farewell dinner. Next morning after breakfast (10am), you will be met by your guide at the guesthouse.

Day 3

We begin out paddling on Lough Hyne, Europes only sea lake. The Lake is fed by a narrows which is locally known as the rapids. On a spring tide this can become a grade 3 rapid . Usually it is only about grade 2 and can be easily shot in our sea kayaks.. The lake empties out through this narrows for 8 hours and when the sea height gets greater than the lakes the rapid stops flowing turns and begins to flow in the other direction. Barlogue Creek is at the sea side of the rapids and we come upon some great caves here . Striking looking rock formations, sea passages, all in all it offers a great day on the ocean. We again stay in the local town of Skibbereen which is the main town of West Cork.

Day 4

The second day of our kayaking adventure takes us from Lough Hyne out on to the sea and West for 5 miles along some extraordinary coast line. Past the islands. Under the abandoned village of Spain . Once inhabitated by Spanish castaways. On towards Baltimore Harbour . We pass between the head lands of Sherkin Island and Baltimore. The white Beacon known as Lots Wife proudly marking the entrance. On into the sheltered waters of Baltimore the home of the O Drisceoll clan . Their Castle shadowing the picturesque scene below it. We stay in Baltimore to night and wallow with the ghosts of the O Drisceolls.

Day 5

The third day of our kayaking adventure sees us setting out from the historic village of Baltimore, On route we will explore the islands and coves of Roaring Water Bay, famous for their picturesque unspoilt beauty. Our destination is Sherkin Island and our landing point is close to the Abbey ruins, which date from 1215. We will check into the Sherkin Island Hotel where we will spend 2 nights. In the evening, having savoured some of the local gastronomical delights we will again take to the water and spy on the plankton from the kayaks as it twinkles in rhythm with the stars.

Day 6

We leave Sherkin Island and head for The Calf islands via Heir Island, here we lunch on remote pristine beaches and swim in blue secluded pools. There is an abundance of marine life amongst these islands, grey seals, otters and dolphins that wallow in the swell to the musical chorus of sea birds. We explore the magestic waterways, kayaking to caves and inlets no big boats can get to . Soak up the marine magic that makes sea kayaking and Ireland so special. To days trip is about 8 miles with a lot of exploratory stops. Again at the end of our kayaking day we share the magic of Sherkin island.

Day 7

After a hearty breakfast in the morning room of the hotel overlooking the entire bay We walk the short distance to the kayaks . Where we will set off to circumnavigate Sherkin Island - a distance of about 10 miles. We will view the Gaeltacht island of Cape Clear and the infamous Fastnet Rock en route. A fishing lure towed behind the kayak will soon get a fish for lunch and we barbeque this on one of the remote beaches.. After lunch we head east and ride the tide on the Heir Island Sound which past the West Side of Sherkin island, rock hopping the Skeam Islands until we are back at Baltimore and a farewell dinner with some new found friends. Here we say "slan fo foill" Which in Irish means until we meet again.

This tour is designed for beginner and intermediate kayakers.

Group size: minimum 4, maximum 12.