Best Places to Paddle Board in Ireland: 12 Blueways, Harbours and Bays

Quick answer: Ireland’s easiest first paddles are on its Blueways and sheltered harbours: the Lough Derg and Shannon Blueways, the Boyne Blueway at Trim, Grand Canal Dock in Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Harbour. For wilder scenery, try Killary Harbour, Clew Bay or Kinsale with a guide. Citizens Information says you do not need a boat licence on inland waterways, but Waterways Ireland asks you to always wear an approved buoyancy aid and a SUP leash, and to paddle only in light winds.

Ireland has a network of accredited Blueways, which are mapped paddling trails with access points, parking and local providers, as well as a long, indented coastline with plenty of sheltered bays. The weather changes quickly, so the Blueway advice to check the forecast and paddle in groups applies almost everywhere. Here are 12 spots, from beginner-friendly canals to Atlantic inlets.

Blueways, lakes and rivers

1. Lough Derg Blueway (Clare, Tipperary and Galway)

Water type: Large lake with sheltered bays. Suits: Beginners in the Stay and Play areas, improvers on the trails.

Waterways Ireland describes 21 self-guided paddling trails on Lough Derg that you can do by kayak, canoe or stand up paddle board. Novices can drift in the quieter Stay and Play areas or book a guided paddle. Outsider suggests paddling down the canal at Killaloe and out onto the open lake. Keep an eye out for white-tailed eagles.

Rule to know: Waterways Ireland says to stay within 50 metres of the shore, because Lough Derg is exposed to wind, especially from the south, and to use the trails only in winds of force 2 or less. Paddle in a group of at least three, wear an approved buoyancy aid and always wear a SUP leash.

2. Shannon Blueway and the “Drumshamazon” (Leitrim)

Water type: River, canal and lakes. Suits: Beginners and families.

The Shannon Blueway offers over 100 km of trails for canoes, kayaks and stand up paddle boards, past villages, canal sections and open lakes. Ireland.com recommends the “Drumshamazon” near Drumshanbo, a leafy stretch that feels like the Amazon, as a two-hour paddleboarding excursion.

Rule to know: The same Blueway safety points apply: light winds only, a buoyancy aid, a leash and ideally a group of three.

3. Shannon-Erne Blueway (Leitrim and Cavan)

Water type: Canals, rivers and small lakes. Suits: Beginners.

Waterways Ireland says the Shannon-Erne Waterway is suitable for novice paddlers, with the 70 km Shannon-Erne Blueway offering easy paddling journeys from Leitrim village to Belturbet in County Cavan.

Tip: Waterways Ireland’s Blueway safety advice applies here too: an approved buoyancy aid, a SUP leash and light winds only.

4. Boyne Blueway at Trim (Meath)

Water type: River. Suits: Beginners and intermediates.

Ireland.com describes the Trim Blueway as one of the world’s first accredited Blueways. It runs about 8 km on the River Boyne beneath Trim Castle, past Rathnally Mill to Bective Mill, and can be paddled by canoe, kayak or paddleboard.

Tip: Check river conditions with a local provider before a first trip.

5. Suir Blueway (Tipperary)

Water type: River. Suits: Improvers, or beginners with a guide.

Also world accredited, the Suir Blueway has 53 km of paddling trails past castles and medieval towns, according to Ireland.com, which highlights guided trips past Cahir Castle and the Swiss Cottage.

Tip: If you are new to river paddling, start with a guided section.

6. Royal Canal (Dublin to the Shannon)

Water type: Canal. Suits: Beginners.

The main line of the Royal Canal runs 146 km with 46 locks, according to Waterways Ireland, and it can be used as a long-distance paddling trail through small towns. Outsider describes very little traffic and calm countryside along the Kildare stretch.

Rule to know: Waterways Ireland says paddlers must get out at the waiting jetties near locks, because turbulence makes them too dangerous to pass through.

Dublin

7. Grand Canal Dock (Dublin city)

Water type: Enclosed dock. Suits: Beginners.

Visit Dublin lists Grand Canal Dock and Malahide Estuary as perfect places for beginners. Surfdock runs flat water lessons on the dock with views of the Docklands.

Tip: Surfdock’s 1.5 hour beginner class is designed to give you the skills to paddle the dock on your own afterwards.

8. Dún Laoghaire Harbour (South Dublin)

Water type: Large sheltered harbour. Suits: Beginners.

Visit Dublin describes Dún Laoghaire as just over 10 km from the city centre, with 200 acres of water sheltered from almost every wind direction. The Coal Harbour slipway is the most sheltered corner.

Rule to know: According to Afloat, the council map for paddlers marks the marina, ship berths and three yacht clubs as no-entry areas, while most of the harbour is open to explore.

The Atlantic coast

9. Killary Harbour (Galway and Mayo)

Water type: Sea fjord. Suits: Beginners on calm days, improvers exploring.

Outsider calls Killary Ireland’s only fjord and notes that because it reaches far inland, the water is often calm. Leenane village makes a good base, with Mweelrea to the north and the Connemara hills to the south.

Tip: Killary is sea water, so check tides and wind before you go and stay near the shore.

10. Clew Bay and Old Head (Mayo)

Water type: Island-studded bay. Suits: Beginners at sheltered beaches, improvers island hopping.

Outsider says Clew Bay is dotted with 365 islands and drumlins formed in the last ice age, with blue flag beaches to stop at. At its southern edge, Summer SUP and Kayak teaches at Old Head beach near Louisburgh, below Croagh Patrick.

Tip: Go with a guide for island crossings until you know the bay. Summer SUP only rents boards after you complete a learner session with them.

11. Kinsale Harbour (Cork)

Water type: Sheltered harbour. Suits: Beginners and improvers.

Kinsale Surf Adventures runs harbour tours from Dock Beach past the historic Charles Fort and James Fort, and Atlantic Offshore Adventures also paddles in the harbour.

Rule to know: Outsider warns that the sea caves at the Old Head of Kinsale nearby sit far out at the base of cliffs and suit experienced paddlers only.

12. Arranmore Island (Donegal)

Water type: Coastal Blueway. Suits: Improvers, or beginners with local guidance.

Ireland.com describes the Arranmore Burtonport Blueway as the only Blueway on the island of Ireland to include the sea. You reach it by ferry from Burtonport, and kayaks and paddleboards can be rented on the island from Cumann na mBád.

Tip: Ask the local rental team where is sheltered on the day before heading out on the Atlantic.

Rules to know in Ireland

Licences: Citizens Information says you do not need a boat licence on inland waterways, though some inland waterways require registration or a permit for boats.
Lifejackets: Citizens Information states that everyone on a boat or watercraft under 7 metres must wear a lifejacket or personal flotation device, and anyone under 16 must wear one at all times on pleasure craft. On the Blueways, Waterways Ireland asks every paddler to wear an approved buoyancy aid and a SUP leash.
Locks and weirs: Get out at waiting jetties before locks on the canals and never paddle through them.
National parks: In Killarney National Park, the park authority requires a permit and a power-washed craft for canoeing and kayaking on the lakes, and inflatables are not permitted for swimmers. Ask the park before bringing a board.
Weather: Waterways Ireland advises paddling only in force 2 winds or less on exposed lakes.