Outdoor Adventure

Dive into the deep end at Salthill’s famous Blackrock Diving Tower. On the doorstep of the hotel, this sea swimming spot is favourite of locals and tourists alike. For those brave enough to face the cold water, this is one for the Galway bucket list. Treat yourself to a post swim coffee at our beachfront barista after and enjoy fresh baked pastries and sweet treats while you take in the spectacular view.

Make a splash at Rusheen Bay Windsurfing where activities include Windsurfing, Kayaking, Paddeboarding. Rusheen Bay Windsurfing is the premier windsurfing school in the West of Ireland. Located just a few minutes drive from Galway Bay Hotel, they are based in an enclosed bay, perfect for beginners, with calm waters and prevailing cross-onshore winds. Rental and lessons are both available making it a popular attraction for kids, adults and groups.

So, you don't have an interest in golf - who cares? Crazy golf is way more fun, takes half the time, and you don't have to be Tiger Woods to have a great time! Plus, crazy golf is the perfect game for all the family. Enjoy dips, tunnels, and all sorts of tricky situations. Go on, give it a try.

Begin the trail at Connemara National Park, located in Letterfrack an hour and a half from the hotel, this hike is a must see when visiting Galway. Take in views of lakes, mountains, and an incredible coastline. A mixture of gravel footpaths and boardwalks will carry you over boglands and up towards the mountain. Once you reach the peak enjoy breath-taking views of Connemara.

Only ten minutes’ drive from the hotel, Barna Woods is a hidden gem located just outside Galway City. This forest walk is family friendly as it lies on a flat terrain. This trail is a shorter walk with plenty of wildlife and animals to spot along the way.

Visit the Cliffs of Moher – Ireland’s No. 1 Tourist Attraction on the West Coast. Rising out of the Atlantic waters to a height of over 700ft at O’Brien’s Tower and running along the coast of Clare for almost 14 kilometres, the Cliffs of Moher were formed over 320 million years ago, and today form part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. A walk along the edge of the Cliffs lets you take in the beautiful, rugged coastline and Atlantic ocean views. While The Burren’s unique landscape is one of the many highlights along the Wild Atlantic Way.

The Burren is a unique karst landscape of bedrock incorporating a vast cracked pavement of glacial-era limestone, with cliffs and caves, fossils, rock formations and archaeological sites.
All walks with Burren Explore are tailored to your needs and incorporate the history, folklore, building of dry stone walls and the flora and fauna of this unique Burren landscape and how the farmers have learned to work the land alongside the stone.

Explore Connemara National Park and admire the incredible scenery where rugged mountains dominate the dramatic landscape. Take in the towering peaks of the famous Twelve Bens and the beautiful mirrored lakes. Climb Diamond Hill and enjoy stunning vistas from the summit of the distant islands of Inishbofin, Inishturk and Inishshark, and the turreted peak of magnificent Kylemore Abbey. Rumour has it that JRR Tolkien took inspiration from the Connemara landscape for his Middle Earth whilst writing The Hobbit.

Galway Bay Boat Tours is a family run business specialising in tailored boat tours on Galway Bay for individuals, families and groups.
Join Irish fisherman Ciaran Oliver, from one of the last surviving lobster and shrimp fishing families in County Galway, on a boat trip across the tranquil waters of Galway Bay. This activity is perfect for groups big and small, this is your invitation to tour, taste and enjoy the real Galway.

Follow the footsteps of one of Ireland’s greatest writers, William Butler Yeats, and take in the peaceful surroundings of Coole Woods. Visit the incredible park that inspired one of W.B Yeat’s greatest works, The Wild Swans At Coole. Located just outside Gort, the park is less than an hour from the hotel. There are two trails to explore, with a family friendly 1.75km option and the longer 4.5km ‘Seven Woods Trail’. Visit the famous Autograph Tree with the inscriptions of famous writers who have visited Coole.

With a choice of trails available, Portumna Forest park provides options suitable for kids of all ages. There are shorter and longer walks available, whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or an intense workout. The longer trails include Bonaveen and Rinmaher, which take on average 4 hours to complete on foot. The shorter trails are over flat forest roads and are far more walker friendly with timber boardwalks. With views of Lough Derg, this trail is one not to be missed. Located an hour east of Galway city this trail is fantastic for a family day out.

Aran Off Road Experience is a guided tour company, set up by brothers and native Islanders Pádraig and Aonghus Hernon. They provide personalised, small group experiences that take you off the beaten track in a bespoke Land Rover Defender 4x4 Jeep to the local landmarks and unique sites of the ancient Island of Inis Mór in the Aran Islands. Experience the island from a new perspective, on tracks and trails that no other vehicle can manoeuvre.

Connemara's beaches are a joy to behold, no matter the time of year. Coral Strand, Dog's Bay, Gurteen, Glassilaun, and Mannin Bay offer spectacular views - perfect for anyone looking to add to their Instagram story. But don't take our word for it; go and see for yourself!

The Aran Islands are an iconic place to visit in County Galway. In fact, many would suggest that of all the Irish islands - Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, and Inis Oírr are the ones most worth visiting. You'll find these remarkable feats of nature sitting pretty in the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of Galway Bay. Learn more here!

Perhaps one of the most pictured places in all of Ireland, this viewpoint offers up spectacular views across to Pine Island, a small island on Derryclare Lough.

Situated just a 10 minute drive from Salthill off the world renowned Wild Atlantic Way immersed in rugged connemara countryside. Treat yourself to a local trek up the countryside accompanied with a qualified riding instructor.