Lough Corrib

What is kayaking Lough Corrib like?

Ireland's largest lake offers an island-hopping adventure from Oughterard. Navigate between the countless limestone islands of the southern basin, each cloaked in hazel scrub and wildflowers. The shallow western bays teem with brown trout, and on calm days the Twelve Bens mountains shimmer in reflection on the lake surface.

How do I paddle Lough Corrib? Put-in, take-out and logistics

Corrib is Ireland's second-largest lake at roughly 176 square kilometres, and the southern basin around Oughterard is where the famous island cluster sits — estimates put the total count at around 365, though most are small limestone outcrops rather than named islands. Launch from Oughterard Pier (there's a modest public slipway beside the boat club) and aim first for the shelter of Inchagoill, the largest inhabited island in the southern basin, with its two small 12th-century church ruins. Drinking water and public toilets exist at the pier — this is important because Corrib has very few landing options once you're past the island cluster.

When is the best time to paddle Lough Corrib?

The fishing culture here is worth understanding: Corrib is one of the most important wild brown trout fisheries in Europe, and you'll share the water with flotillas of gillie-skippered angling boats from opening day in mid-February through September. Give them wide berth, especially around the mayfly hatch in late May. Wind is the other consideration — westerlies funnel down from Connemara and the open water north of Inchagoill can build short, steep waves quickly. Most paddlers stay within the protected southern island string and use Inchagoill as a turn-point. The Twelve Bens visible to the north-west are a clear weather indicator; when their summits disappear into cloud, wind and rain usually follow within a couple of hours.