During the winter our Overland guides try to eat, sleep, and drink the adventure lifestyle. Part of our job is to try out and review new and current trip activities. We are constantly making new connections with adventure companies throughout Ireland and developing current relationships to create the best small-group tours of Ireland.
Scroll down to find out more about our recent trip to Lahinch, aka Surf City, to get a few surfing tips from Ben at Ben’s surf clinic. Ben’s surf lessons are a highlight of our Ultimate Ireland Tour.
If you have any questions for the Overland team, please just contact us for all the answers you need.
What We Look for in Our Ireland Tour Partners
Before we dive into the thrills and spills of our surfing experience, we want to share the criteria we work to when choosing partners for our Ireland tours. We operate to the highest standards, and we look for partners who do exactly the same.
So, when choosing a partner, we look for:
- Passionate quality instructors
- Excellent safety procedures
- High-quality equipment
- Stunning locations
By finding a partner who ticks every box, we ensure you benefit from the best possible experiences on your Ireland tour! If you’re in the mood for adventure when you have finished here, we think you’ll love our blog 5 Best Adventure Tours in Ireland. It’s filled with even more recommendations for active adventures in the Emerald Isle.
Surfing at Lahinch, Ireland’s Surf City
Lahinch is located in Banner County, County Clare. It is a ten-minute drive from the breathtaking and must-see attraction of the Cliffs of Moher, one of the top five places to visit in Ireland. Lahinch has gained popularity in recent years as the surf capital of Ireland. It attracts surfers from all over the world. Everyone from the beginner surfer on an adventure tour of Ireland to the big wave rider can be catered for in Clare.
So, what makes Lahinch one of the best surf beaches in Ireland? Importantly, it faces out onto the Atlantic Ocean. This means it takes the full force of incoming swells. In short, this can mean amazing waves! It also helps that Lahinch is a Blue Flag beach.
It’s important to note that Lahnich can have strong currents. If you’re anything below an intermediate-level surfer, it’s highly recommended to enjoy surfing here under the guidance of an experienced teacher.
Recently, we were fortunate enough to watch some of Ireland’s most daring seamen venture down the cliffs to the famous monster Aileen Wave, a short drive from Lahinch. Lahinch also boasts some excellent restaurants, pubs full of ‘craic’, and cozy guesthouses by the sea.
Our Surfing Experience in Lahinch, County Clare
What can we say? We had a ball! We arrived in glorious October sunshine with small clean waves and a friendly welcome from Ben himself. Although it was a Friday morning, the buzz of Lahinch and the anticipation of another busy weekend was well and truly in the air.
We were given nice dry wetsuits, and a couple of longboards and were sent off with Cian for an intermediate lesson on the main beach at Lahinch. We had the luxury of the indoor changing rooms before and after the lesson. The group was small so we were given a lot of individual attention. The more we progressed during the lesson, the more our instructor encouraged us to try new things.
We spent three glorious hours catching small clean waves. Throughout the lesson, Cian set personal goals for each of us. Everyone in the group was massively stoked after the lesson and their progress. Over a well-deserved lunch at Looney’s, we all vowed to come back for more lessons and a great experience with Ben’s Surf Clinic.
We look forward to sharing this activity with our Overlanders on their small-group tours of Ireland. Looking for more surfing inspiration? Check out our blog about the best surf spots along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Explore the Emerald Isle with Our Ireland Tours!
We hope this activity review has encouraged you to take the next step toward one of our small-group tours of Ireland. Simply browse our range of experiences and find the one that captures your imagination! And if you have any pre-booking questions for the Overland team, please just contact us. We’re here to help however we can!
