A coastal trail with a difference: sea kayaking in Northern Ireland

The Northern Irish coast is justifiably famous for its beauty, all craggy inlets and brooding cliffs topped by crumbling castles. Most people explore this coastline from the land, walking along the clifftops and driving the winding road that snakes along from the Scotland-facing east coast to the large inlet of Derry in the west. But now a new kind of coast trail lets visitors see this gorgeous area from the ocean. The North Coast Sea Kayak Trail promises something for everyone, of all kayaking abilities.

So, where is it?

The North Coast Sea Kayak Trail runs along the north Antrim coast of Northern Ireland from Magilligan Point to Waterfoot at the base of Glenariff, over 70 nautical miles of open water. 

The trail is easily accessible and can be broken down into shorter segments for those who prefer to tackle it in stages. The trail begins at Ballycastle, a quaint seaside town located in County Antrim.

What will I see?

The star of the show here is, of course, the Giant’s Causeway (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). But as most novice kayakers paddle at around three nautical miles per hour, and there are a lot of jutting headlands and craggy outcrops to navigate, it will take a little while before you hit the main attraction.

And that’s the point of kayaking here. Visit by coach and you’ll be whisked along to the Causeway in a flash, seeing nothing of its surroundings. Explore by kayak instead, and you’ll understand the geological context as you negotiate the rugged coastline that surrounds those famous natural steps.

Throughout the journey, you'll encounter numerous sea caves, arches, and rock formations carved by the sea over millennia.

You’ll also see just how flexible a kayak can be – backing into narrow grottos at White Rock, or “rock hopping” through the shallow waters that lap the spiky basalt cliffs of Ballintoy.

How long does it take?

How long it takes really depends on you – your paddling skills, how many breaks you take, and whether you're aiming to zip through or take your time soaking up the views. For the experienced kayakers aiming for a continuous paddle, expect it to take around 4 to 7 days to cover the full 70-mile route.

Those with less paddling experience can see the Causeway by heading out with a guide from Simply Sea Kayaking from Portballintae to Dunseverick Harbour, which takes about 6–8 hours.

What about wildlife?

You’re sure to see gannets dive-bombing into the Atlantic with alarming speed in search of fish all along this coast, while at Runkerry Cave you’ll see cormorants nesting by the dozen.

Seals hang out around the Skerries rock stacks and will almost certainly pop their grey heads up out of the water to greet you – they may even mess with you, disappearing in a flash only to reappear directly behind you with what you’ll swear is a cheeky glint in their eye.

Dolphins also regularly surface to check out any interloper in their waters people have even seen basking sharks breaching nearby.

Is it hard work?

The simple answer is yes. Your aching muscles at the end of a day on the trail will prove testament to that, but sea kayaking is easy enough for anyone with a decent level of fitness – and a certain amount of tenacity. But those sheer cliff views make it all worthwhile – and those aching muscles are nothing a hot bath can’t sort out.

Just make sure to pace yourself, take breaks when you need them, and maybe indulge in some well-deserved snacks to keep your energy levels up. Sharing a double kayak can make things easier (and you’re less likely to capsize).

How do I do it?

First things first, you'll need the right gear. A sturdy sea kayak, paddles, a life jacket, and appropriate clothing (think wetsuit or dry suit depending on the season) are essential. Take some time to map out your route and decide how much ground you want to cover each day. 

Simply Sea Kayaking offer tours for all abilities along the North Coast Sea Kayak Trail including three-hour taster sessions for complete beginners and guided excursions for those with more experience. There are even overnight tours, including camping.

Planning your trip to Northern Ireland

If you're ready to hit the sea, or see the rest of this beautiful country, let us help! You can skip countless hours of researching and planning and instead focus on your trip with our tailor made trip service. Our trips are created by local travel experts and are completely cusomisable. Here are some of  our trips:

• Fascinating Ireland and North Ireland (11 days): Visit the famous Giant's causeway, fascinating Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry and many more highlights.
• Game of Thrones North Ireland (6 days): The Seven Kingdoms inspired this trip through the incredible landscapes of Northern Ireland.

Or see our other Ireland itineraries.