If someone offered you the chance to leap into the often stormy and always cold North Atlantic from a 30-foot cliff in Ireland, would you do it?
As it turns out, people not only do this, but travelers are increasingly paying for the privilege. I was recently one of them, and after jumping into the great unknown I walked away with the undisputed highlight of a week-long trip to the legendary island, not to mention a newfound respect for the power of the sea.
Informally known as "coasteering" and first invented in neighboring Wales, this amphibious pursuit combines swimming through rough seas, exploring tidal caves, rock scrambling, and jumping from extreme heights into the open water below. Avoiding a collision with the rocks, hypothermia, and drowning is all part of the "fun."
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In reality, coasteering in Ireland is far safer, less extreme, and more enjoyable than it sounds. For roughly $60 per person, local guides typically kit you out completely with a warming wetsuit, a protective helmet, protective gloves, water shoes, a serious life jacket, and a thrilling (and probably exhausting, in a good way) route.
All in all, it is a fantastic way not only to see the country's famous cliffs and coastlines in a new light, but also to gain a fresh appreciation for what is often a hostile environment.
From County Cork on the southern peninsulas to the rugged shores of Kerry, Clare, and Galway in the center, and on up to County Donegal and the timeless Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, nearly two dozen guiding companies offer coasteering tours across most of the island.
Based on glowing customer reviews and my own personal experience, here are some of the best places to go cliff jumping on the western edge of Europe.
County Antrim
A few miles east of the stunning Benone Strand in Northern Ireland, part of one of the longest beaches on the island, you'll find near-perfect conditions for coasteering, jumping in with Causeway Coasteering in Portrush or Coasteering NI in Ballintoy.
The world-famous Giant's Causeway draws most of the tourists who travel this far north, but there is plenty to discover all along the Causeway Coastal Route.
Fans of "Game of Thrones" will recognize Ballintoy Harbour as the filming location for the Iron Islands, and you may need nerves of steel to handle the rush of adrenaline while coasteering along the island's northern edge.
County Donegal
Across the border in the Republic of Ireland, if you truly want to head into the most remote and unspoiled corners of the entire island, look no further than County Donegal.
Set in one of the finest and most pristine coastal landscapes in Europe, the Wild Atlantic Adventure Centre offers visitors some of the most spectacular jumps among the most remarkable sea stacks in all of Ireland or Britain. Located in the small village of Clonmany, the center runs coasteering tours year-round, but the ideal conditions usually come in spring.
County Sligo
Best known for its big-wave surfing, Mullaghmore in County Sligo is both extreme and rich when it comes to coasteering. According to North West Coasteering, "there are so many routes here that you could come every week for a year and still do a different tour each time."
For maximum adrenaline from high cliff jumps, head to Mullaghmore itself. For gentler routes that focus on swimming through sea caves, tours are also available in nearby Bundoran.
County Galway
Tucked into the northwestern corner of County Galway, Connemara is a hotspot for Irish coasteering.
While you can't (and wouldn't want to) jump from the deadly Cliffs of Moher a little further south, Real Adventures, Delphi Resort, and Clare Island Adventures offer highly rated trips along Connemara's jagged and sometimes tight coastline.
When you're finished, consider soaking up the fairy-tale beauty of the neighboring Connemara National Park.
Note: To get a better sense of what you'll be jumping off of, and into, talk to a guide before booking.
County Kerry
In the likely event that you visit the very popular and very scenic County Kerry, which includes Dingle, the Gap of Dunloe, and Killarney National Park, you would do well to add coasteering to your itinerary while you're there.
On a tour with Wild Water Adventures out of Tralee, you'll get thrilling versions of all of the above, not to mention one of the friendliest and most experienced experts along the coast. Like all good coasteering guides, John Edwards never pushed anyone in our group, but was always encouraging, understanding, and reassuring.
However you go about it, adventure tourism along the Wild Atlantic Way is thriving and bucking the trend of bus tours when it comes to getting to know Ireland's legendary coast.
And who would have thought that something as straightforward as coasteering could turn out to be the most unexpected, terrifying, and exhilarating way to get your feet wet?
Blake Snow writes for fashionable publications and Fortune 500 companies as a seasoned freelance writer and spirited travel columnist. He lives in Provo, Utah, with a loving family and a loyal dog.
