Frequently Asked Questions
General
Questions
Find answers to the most common queries about our tours, booking process, and what to expect during your kayaking adventure.
Bookings can be made through the online booking facility on our website.
We can also take payment over the phone or send you a payment link by email.
In the Summer season, it is advisable to book ahead to avoid disappointment, especially for weekend trips, as they get booked out well in advance of the trip.
We use double kayaks for all of our tours.
If you are coming alone or booking for an uneven number of people, you will be asked to share a double kayak with another customer or one of our guides.
If you need to cancel your trip,
- We operate a 3 day cancellation policy.
- Please be sure to let us know at least 3 days in advance via email (or by phone during office hours). If you choose to reschedule your trip, you will receive a voucher code to enable you to do this. Alternatively you can choose a full refund.
- Without 3 days notice and in the event of you not showing up, you will be liable to pay the full amount and no refund will be possible.
- For group bookings we require at least 7 days notice of cancellation via email.
If we need to cancel your trip,
- It will usually be because of high winds / unsafe weather forecast.
- We will not cancel the trip solely because of rain, but occasionally we have to cancel because of rain and strong winds.
- As forecasts are very changeable, we usually make our final decision to cancel the day before the trip. However we endeavor to send out a weather warning in advance (2-3 days) if we think that the weather is unsettled.
- We reserve the right to cancel trips at short notice for safety reasons. This could be due to a sudden change in weather conditions.
- You will receive an email and text informing you of the cancellation to the contact details you supplied at the time of booking.
- Following a trip cancellation by us, you will receive a voucher code to reschedule your booking, or you may choose a full refund.
Our trips run from April to the end of October.
At times we can facilitate group bookings outside of the main season. Please send an email if you wish to make a group booking between November and March.
Bookings can be made through the online booking facility on our website throughout the year.
Castlehaven Bay – Reen Pier, Union Hall
Directions to Reen Pier from Union Hall:
Go to the Catholic Church in Union Hall and follow the sign for Reen Pier (2miles). About 200m before Pier turn right at the Atlantic Sea Kayaking sign and go to the end of the sand spit where we will meet you.
https://goo.gl/maps/zJFeLVQrAjQSczMaA
Lough Hyne
Directions to Lough Hyne from Skibbereen:
Follow the road to Baltimore for about two miles and see a sign on the left saying Lough Hyne. Get to the Lake, take a left and we’ll meet you at the Atlantic Sea Kayaking van.
The Trip
Learn more about what’s included, and what makes each kayaking experience unique.
We supply over gear (wind and splash proof jackets and trousers) and in cold weather neoprene paddle mitts which keep your hands toasty.
- boats & paddles
- buoyancy aids
- spray decks
- safety equipment and instruction
- expert guiding.
Wear:
Footwear: wetsuit booties, water shoes or old runners.
No big boots please!
Bodywear: Activity leggings/tracksuit, thermals, fleece..
Headgear: wool or fleece hat (in cold weather), Sun hat in warm weather
Bring: a change of clothes, sun block, a towel, water …… and a smile!
You can expect: to be safe, comfortable, to get individual attention, and have new experiences and encounters. You will experience mindful, gentle kayaking, meet great people and hear local history and stories from your knowledgeable guides.
The backdrop to your experience is a magnificent visual banquet that is the West Cork coastline on the Wild Atlantic Way.
If you are out on a night kayaking trip with us, nature supplies the magic ingredients.
Be it a starry sky, a splashing otter, a heron or owl announcing their presence, or the bioluminescence twinkling in the water. Sometimes it may even be the stillness of the dark while silently floating on the velvety water.
None of these natural phenomena can be guaranteed, especially the bioluminescence as they are dependent on nature’s moods.
But if you are able to tune in and free your senses and allow our guides to safely take you on a voyage of discovery you will have a truly magical experience getting in touch with yourself and nature.
Kayaking with Atlantic Sea Kayaking is probably the best way to see and get close to wildlife.
Kayaking silently along the shoreline your first experience will be the amazing variety of sea birds in the area, waders, herons, snowy egrets, shags, herring gulls, guillemots, gannets diving from the skies and the rasping sound of the chough on the cliffs.
In the summer we usually get to see nesting peregrine falcons and sometimes ospreys soaring above the cliffs.
As we drift in amongst the offshore Islands, we often get the attention of curious seals. We have both harbour and grey seals in our area. As we get further out from the shore, it is possible to see porpoise, dolphins, basking sharks and occasionally whales.
Every trip brings its own surprises and delights when it comes to wildlife.
Most of our trips are designed for people with a low to medium level of fitness unless otherwise stated.
Most of our kayaking is done within a 10 mile radius of Skibbereen along the beautiful Wild Atlantic Way coastline, in secluded and sheltered bays and along the coast. We explore islands, caves, sea arches, cliffs and deserted beaches on the way.
- We use a mix of double kayaks on all of our tours and single kayaks for our courses.
- We have Wavesport Horizon double and Dagger Stratus single plastic kayaks.
- We use asymmetric paddles.
If you are coming alone or booking for an uneven number of people, you will be asked to share a double kayak with another customer or one of our guides.
Safety
Your safety is our priority. Discover how we ensure a secure and enjoyable adventure for all participants.
This is a question we are often asked. The answer is “yes”!
At all times you will be wearing floatation.
Our motto is “prevention is better than a cure”. We design our trips and tours to suit the level of our visitors.
We use the most recent kayaks and quality equipment.
We mostly use stable double kayaks (singles are available if requested)
Most importantly, all of our instructor guides are highly trained in kayak rescue, first aid, use of VHF radios which are carried with them as well as other safety equipment. All our trips are designed based on weather and sea conditions combined with our
visitors ability. We have an intimate knowledge of our local coastal area and constantly check weather forecasts. We keep instructor /client ratios low to ensure safety and personal attention.
We kayak in sheltered calm areas unless we are running an advanced trip or teaching a training course.
No, but we generally encourage you to learn as it opens up a great world of enjoyment.
Most of the world is covered in water so go explore!
We insist that all kayak and SUP users wear appropriate buoyancy at all times while on the water with us.
We use spacious, comfortable double sea kayaks, the cockpit is 54cm/21 inches in width and the capacity of the boat is 280 kg, so that would be the combined weight of 2 people. Our XXL PFDs are up to 50-56 inches chest size.
Our largest splash proof jackets are XXL ( chest 50 inches). If you feel that it may not be a comfortable fit, we recommend that you bring your own gear as an alternative… a rain jacket, comfortable leggings, and water shoes, or soft shoes, and a change of clothing.
It is also possible to meet the instructor before the trip (during our opening times) and to test your comfort level in the boat in privacy and on dry land.
Our double kayaks can accommodate most tall people. It is also possible to meet the instructor before the trip and try out the boat for length in privacy.
Our oldest paddler is 98! What do you think?
Youths of 8 + are welcome on our Discover Kayaking Tour and daytime Family Kayaking trip and 12+ on our Family Night Kayaking Trip.
We can organise special outings for youth groups, birthday parties or other family celebrations.
Please contact us to discuss and we will do our utmost to accommodate you.
We have a no alcohol and drugs policy for the safety and enjoyment of all, this includes prior consumption.
We encourage you to leave your valuables on shore as there is a chance they may get wet or dropped in the water.
We can lock away valuables for the duration of the trip.
We do not allow flash photography or video recording on the night tours as it impacts other guests’ experiences and your own night vision.
Things to Do and Places to Stay
Explore recommended activities and accommodations to make the most of your visit to Ireland’s stunning south-west coast.