Discover Doolin’s Rugged Coastline & Water Activities

Discover Doolin’s Rugged Coastline & Water Activities

Follow local Scuba Diver, Caroline Hartigan, and Doolin Tourism on a wild Atlantic tour of Doolin’s Coastline

Photo by Kev L Smith

This sixth episode of ‘Meet the Locals‘ features Caroline Hartigan, a Dutch native and local Deep Sea Diver who fell in love with Doolin 25 years ago. Join Caroline on a journey of discovery as she explores the rich marine life of the Doolin coastline, through one of the many water activities offered in the area. Pack your swimsuit, and embark on an epic Atlantic adventure to Doolin!

 

Video by Kev L Smith, Music by Doctor Turtle

The Atlantic Ocean is at the heart of Doolin – integral to the community here, it is used for many day-to-day activities and uses including fishing and travel, as well as the pursuit of pastimes including swimming, surfing, sailing, kayaking and many more. No matter what your interest or adrenaline level, there is a way for you to experience the Atlantic Ocean like a local during your stay in Doolin! Check out some of our top-rated water activities below.

Photo by Kev L Smith

Take a Deep Sea Diving Course

Explore the depths of the Atlantic on a deep-sea diving course, experiencing Doolin’s spectacular underwater life in all its natural glory. Local providers offer diving courses throughout the area and County Clare.

 

Photo by Kev L Smith

Experience Marine Life at Doolin Pier

Dolphins can often be seen swimming around Doolin Pier and entertaining onlookers and passengers on the ferries to the Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher. Get up close (but not too close, these are wild animals after all!) to Doolin’s wonderful marine life – the perfect spot to get a snap of these Doolin locals in their natural habitat.

 

Photo by Kev L Smith

Go Bird Watching on a Cliffs of Moher Cruise

Take a cruise along the base of the Cliffs of Moher and experience the magnificent birdlife that resides there. The birdlife around the Cliffs of Moher is particularly abundant but there are a few special birds to keep watch for.

The Puffin is a particularly endearing bird, with its orange feet and flattened beak with red blue and yellow stripes – there are colonies of puffins nesting in burrows on the grassy banks on the seaward side of the cliffs, clearly visible from the boat. Razorbills, Guillemots and Fulmars also breed in numbers on the ledges of the cliffs from May to August. Kestrels and Peregrine falcons can be seen, but perhaps most rewarding is the very rare Chough, a jackdaw-sized black bird with red curved beak and red legs, distinguished most easily by its shrill ‘chyah’ call, which breeds around the Cliffs. Check out the video below posted by Doolin Ferry Company.

Video by @instaireland via Doolin Ferry Co

To find out more about the bird colonies and conservation efforts at the Cliff of Moher, check out Doolin2Aran Ferries blog post here where they explain about how they actively work towards conserving these colonies in conjunction with Cormac McGinley and BirdWatch Ireland.

Local providers such as Doolin2Aran Ferries and Doolin Ferry Company offer tours from €15 per person. Child/student/family/group rates available.

Photo by Kev L Smith

Experience the Ocean Views on the Doolin Cliff Walk

Join your local guide, Pat Sweeney, on a guided Doolin Cliff Walk, as he leads you on a guided walk along the sea cliffs from Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, for a unique experience of the breathtaking rural beauty of this part of the world. With green fields on one side and pounding waves of the Atlantic Ocean on the other, this spectacular walk is a must if you are visiting the west coast of Ireland along the Wild Atlantic Way. Pat offers a 3 hour cliff walk tour from €10 per person.

 

Photo by Kev L Smith

Surf the Wild Atlantic Waves at Lahinch or Crab Island

Doolin is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, making it a great base for all adventurers. Although the surfing spots in Doolin itself (such as Crab Island) are more suitable for advanced surfers, a number of surfing schools such as Ben’s Surf Clinic can be found in nearby Lahinch for the novice surfer (Lessons from €35 per person. All equipment provided). Lahinch is one of the best-known locations for surfing in Ireland. If you’re looking for a fun-filled activity holiday or group getaway then a stay at Doolin Inn is a must, as they work with local activity providers, offering their guests fantastic reduced rates on activities including surfing.

 

Go Sea Kayaking along the Coastline

Embark on a guided sea kayaking tour along the spectacular coastline of the Burren and County Clare, and experience Doolin’s coastline from a totally different perspective, taking in the sights of the cliffs and abundant sea life. Local providers such as Lahinch Adventures offer half-day tours from €45 per person. All equipment is provided.

 

Saddle Up & Gallop along the Beach on Horseback

Take your horse to the old town road and gallop along the beautiful beach at Fanore, just north of Doolin. Enjoy a gallop along a windswept Atlantic beach, trekking with the backdrop of the stunning lunar landscape of the Burren to one side and the wild Atlantic to the other.