If you’re a fan of adventure sports, you should know by now that Ireland is the land of pushing it to the limits. And we want to tell you about an activity where this isn’t just metaphorical, where you’ll push yourself for real to the limits of the land, where cliffs and rocks tumble into the ocean, and feel the thrills of coasteering. This is the sport of exploring a part of the world which we don’t often get to see close up. When we go to the sea, we’re usually on the beach or the clifftops, but coasteering takes us off-road, and off the sand, and into the intertidal zone of cliffs, caves, rock arches and tidal pools. Climbing, scrambling, diving and swimming are just some of the ways that we get around in this space, giving us a rush of adrenaline and a full body workout! If that sounds good to you, read on to find out more.

Where are the best places to go coasteering in Ireland?

• Hook Head: At the end of the Hook Peninsula in County Waterford, the Hook Lighthouse stands on a headland surrounded by the sea on three sides. This is the oldest working lighthouse in the world, and it was built to warn ships away from the jagged rocks around the headland. But if you’re not in a ship, you’re not at risk from these rocks - in fact, they create a fantastic natural playground. Do you like the idea of exploring caves that are completely inaccessible from dry land? What about sliding down rocky slopes covered in seaweed? And if we told you that you can let the waves do some of the climbing work for you by lifting you up the cliffs? Pretty good? In that case, we don’t even need to mention the clear, turquoise waters that surround Hook Head .

• County Kerry: Ireland’s fjordland, the coast of County Kerry is characterised by long, narrow inlets of the sea which are separated by peninsulas. There are a number of excellent coasteering destinations here, including Ballybunion, the Iveragh Peninsula near Cahirciveen, and Dingle. There are all manner of coastal formations to discover, fantastic cliff dives into deep water to show off with some epic stunts, and unique wildlife that h¡inhabits this liminal space between the land and the sea.

• County Clare: The Wild Atlantic Way is a road that runs up the west, Atlantic coast of Ireland. It’s a beautiful route for a road trip, but if you want to get really wild, very wet and way off the beaten track, you should go coasteering. Kilkee in County Clare is a popular seaside resort which is the starting point for some exciting journeys at the water’s edge. You can go climbing and swimming, or combine these coasteering techniques with other watersports like kayaking or snorkelling to create a hybrid adventure that opens up even more of the land-and-water-scape to you.

• Connemara: This region of County Galway one of the most far flung parts of Ireland’s Atlantic coast. Inland, there are rugged mountains with high peaks, and these descend in a dramatic way to the sea around the Ballyconneely Peninsula. This is a landscape that’s almost untouched by the modern world, where the terrain is at the mercy of the elements. Over the millennia, waves, wind and tide have sculpted gullies and caves, coves and cliffs, into the rocks, and you can find some hidden gems and once in a lifetime thrills here if you know where to look.

• County Mayo: There are yet more opportunities for coasteering in County Mayo. The tourist hub of Westport feels like a remote part of the world, but you have to go even further out west to reach Belmullet, one of the best spots in the area. Another option for out-of-the-box thinkers takes you far from the coast of Ireland and onto the small rocky land of Clare Island. With 360º degrees of coastline, you could spend a lifetime exploring the watery world of Clare’s shores - and you’d never get bored.

• Donegal: The most northerly county of Ireland is almost cut off from the rest of the country, and it’s one of the least populated areas of the island of Ireland. All of this attracts true adventurers, and they’re rewarded with outdoor activities of the highest quality. There are several locations where you can go coasteering, many of them in the area of Inishowen. Unspoilt Kinnagoe Bay is sheltered from the elements by high cliffs, and if you’re brave enough to pitch yourself against the forces of nature, those cliffs make a great setting for this sport.

What do you need in order to do this adventure?

In the first place, you need about half a day for a coasteering experience in Ireland. Your tour operator will aim to give you between 2 and 2.5 hours on location, cliff jumping, open water swimming and discovering the fascinating shorelines of this Atlantic island. When you factor in the journey to the destination, and some time for a safety briefing and equipment check, your activity could be an hour or more longer than that in total.

When it comes to equipment, the things that you’re asked to bring are to be found easily around the house, or even in your holiday suitcase. You need a swimsuit, a towel, a change of clothes and an old pair of trainers with laces to wear. Your guide to the Irish coast will be responsible not only for leading you on a wild adventure, but for providing you with a wetsuit, a helmet and a buoyancy aid to keep you warm and safe, as well as gloves and other equipment if necessary.

Who can enjoy the experience?

Although this is a sport that takes you to places that we usually think of as dangerous, is a safe sport. Alongside the equipment that you’ll be provided with, you’ll also have the local knowledge of your guide, who’ll know where to take you and what to look out for. This means that it is a fun activity for the whole family. The youngest children that most tour operators in Ireland will take on an excursion are 10 or 12 years old or more, although in some locations it’s possible for kids as young as 8 years old to join the group if the conditions are suitable.

If you fancy getting all the way out of your comfort zone the Irish coast is the place to be. Come on and enjoy it!