Walking / Hiking
Clare Island is one of the most spectacular locations along the Wild Atlantic Way for walks and hikes. Just watch this video to see some of the breathtaking scenery along the cliffs to the top of our biggest mountain, Knockmore at 520m. The north cliffs are breading grounds for one of three Gannet colonies along the west coats of Ireland plus many other species of birds. The full circuit of the island would take a good walker 5 hour plus to complete.
Stand Up Paddling (SUP) / Sauna Hut
Clare Island native, Charlie McCabe, runs the SUP School and the Sauna Hut right at the harbor. Bookings are based on a per day basis due to weather conditions for SUP. The Sauna is available most days. The local ladies have their morning ritual or a swim and a sauna most days. This is an ideal opportunity to meet the locals and have a good chat.
Contact Charlie McCabe
Tel; 087 9004897
Sea Safari on board Sea Sprinter
There is nothing like the view of the big banks from the sea. The bird and marine life is breathtaking. Stop off at the Clare Island Salmon Farm and see the salmon up close and personal. View the Lighthouse perched up on the cliff face overlooking Achill island. The Sea Sprinter can take groups of up to 20 on sea safari. A picnic can also be arranged on request. The trip take about 2 hours depending on the weather and starts after 2pm on request.
Contact Alan O’Grady for more information
Tel; 087 9004115
Clare Island Bus Tours
Bridget O’Leary runs the local bus service and operates 2 x 14 seater busses. She runs a Taxi service plus a tour service. The tour take about 1 hours and brings you to all the main heritage attractions on the island. Bridget gives a good history of the island and it is a great way to see the magical views wathout all of the effort.
Contact Bridget on
Tel; 086 2228478
Clare Island Bike Hire
Local, Andrew O Leary, runs the local bike shop which is located right beside the Bus Service at the Pier. The island is a wonderful place to cycle with 3 mains roads all of which were completely resurfaced by Mayo County Council in 2020. The West road is flat and brings you 5 miles back to the Napoleonic Tower while the North road is very hilly and brings you to the cliffs and Lighthouse. The views from here are second to none. The valley road connect the West and Norths roads through the two main hills on the island and bring you through wonderful viewing spots across the bay, as far north as Blacksod Bay and South to Clifton Bay in Galway.
Contact Andrew on
Tel; 086 1704295
Blue Flag Beach
Clare Island beach is nestled in beside the main harbor and under the watchful eye of Grace O’Malley’s Castle. The beach is very safe for swimming with no rips of heavy currents. It is sheltered from all winds except from the east. There is a second more private beach at the back of Grace O’Malley’s Castel which is an idyllic spot for an evening dip. Both beaches are wonderful playground’s and offer wonderful snorkeling with marine life and coves and gully’s to snorkel and dive through so do bring your snorkeling gear.
Clare Island Play Ground
Located just up from the beach and harbor, the local pay ground offers kids and families a great place to let loose for a few hours and burn off some of that energy.
The Clew Bay Cycle Bike Trail
Certainly one of the most exciting cycle route in Ireland, this route takes you from land to sea while circumnavigating Clew Bay. If you are overnighting on Clare Island, the ferry departs for Achill Island on Wednesday and Saturdays in the morning and you can catch the evening ferry back to the Island for Roonagh all on the same day. There will be plenty of time to stop off In Westport for Lunch and Louisburgh for Coffee.
Follow link below for full information and specialized bike hire and support.
Sea Angling
Clare Island, at the outer limits of Clew Bay offers great sea angling ground. There are a number of boat operating out of Westport and Newport that can provide collection and drop off on Clare Island for a full days sea angling.
- Clew Bay Charters Newport – 086 3884425
- The Towers Westport – 087 6763376
- Reg Ryon Westport – 087 7647789
