As many of you who follow our social media pages know, we spent an unforgettable two days in beautiful Inchydoney recently. We have been getting lots of questions about our stay and the unbelievable adventures we got up to so we decided to put everything about our trip into a blog post for you. We were delighted to be at the Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa for the launch of their Seaside adventures with my travel idol Kathyrn Thomas. Kathyrn was in Inchydoney to launch the exciting news of ‘Seaside Adventures in Inchydoney’ which includes a beautiful relaxing break away at Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa combined with a fun adventure of your choice. The perfect combination. I love a little bit of adventure, as you all know, but I adore having a touch of luxury and relaxation afterwards. The Seaside Adventure at Inchydoney are the perfect combination of luxury and adventure.
As soon as we turned off the road from Clonakilty and headed towards Inchydoney, I began to switch off from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As you drive towards the hotel, you are met with spectacular views of the beach and the ocean on your right until you reach the beautiful Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa. A breath-taking drive and destination.
We were shown to a wonderful room overlooking the beautiful open spacious and sandy strand stretching out into the wild Atlantic sea. A perfect escape from reality. We decided to go for a bite to eat in the main bar, the ‘Dunes’ before heading on our first adventure. We enjoyed their delicious calamari with sweet chilli and lime mayonnaise for starter. The calamari dish is a must to order while you are there, it is unbelievable. We then tickled our taste buds as one of us tried the Penne of Wild Mushroom & Sundried Tomato dish and the other enjoyed the tasty Madras curry. Absolutely beautiful.
We didn’t waste any time and headed off on our first adventure but this adventure is with a twist. We were heading off to go experience Starlight Kayaking. I had heard lots about this experience and I was excited to try it for myself. It was honestly the most relaxing experience under the night sky. We set off with Jim at dusk and watched the sunset on the water. A very unique experience to be on the water from dusk to dark. Kayak under the stars while listening to the sounds of the seabirds, admiring the stars and moon, taking in the peaceful darkness and admiring the astonishing bioluminescence. The only word to describe it is ‘magical’.
The next morning, we enjoyed a tasty breakfast with a wide choice from the cold buffet, along with tasty hot dishes such as delicious local sausages, the famous ‘Clonakilty Pudding’ as well as bacon and local free range eggs. You can also order dishes cooked in the kitchen, such as homemade pancakes, free-range scrambled eggs with local smoked salmon and a range of fluffy omelets.
It was time for another adventure so we went to suit up with wetsuits and head for a surf. We got a surfing lesson and actually managed to stand up! Surfing is one of my ultimate favourite experiences. There is nothing quite like catching a wave and riding it all the way into the beach with the sea breeze on your face. We got a taste of swimming outside in the Atlantic itself so it was time to get a more relaxing version of it. We headed for the Inchydoney spa to enjoy their fresh seawater pool. It is from the ocean outside the hotel being pumped in to the seawater therapy pool every morning which is then heated to a soothing and therapeutic 31 degrees. Nothing will beat the feeling of relaxing in the jets, bubble seats and counter currents in the warm seawater pool looking out on the ocean after an energetic morning of surfing. The perfect combination of adventure and relaxation. We warmed up with a coffee at the beach in this cute little beach hut outside the hotel.
In the afternoon, we were excited to head off to Clonakilty to get a taste of West Cork. We did the Clonakilty Walking food tour with Kate Ryan and spent the afternoon eating our way around Clonakilty. Kate is full of knowledge of the food scene in West Cork and this tour is a very tasty way to learn about the rich food heritage. We got to learn all about Clonakilty’s rich food heritage and meet some of the local food producers. My favourite part was hearing the stories of the West Cork produce, along with the stories from the producers themselves on how their products came to market. And of course, getting to taste it all was an added bonus.
That night, we arrived back to Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa to enjoy a meal in the Gulfstream Restaurant with the perfect backdrop of panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Irish coast. The menu featured delicious dishes, offering something for everyone. What struck me was the way in which it offered the very best cuisine from local produce of the West Cork Region. The food concept is based on modern French and light Mediterranean, using only the finest oils, pestos, salads and herbs. There is a strong emphasis on fresh coastal seafood in particular turbot, sole and fresh shell fish. An unforgettable dining experience in the Gulfstream Restaurant. We then ended the day with a sunset walk on Inchydoney beach.
It was an amazing few days getting our adrenalin pumping with adventures at Inchydoney, while also enjoying a touch of luxury and relaxation. The new Seaside Adventures at Inchydoney caters for everybody. From surfing and kayaking to whale watching and food trails, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this gem. Ride the waves at Inchydoney Beach, head on a bike tour from Clonakilty, enjoy a memorable starlight kayak, jump on board a whale watching trip or tickle your taste buds on a walking food trail.
Details of Packages:
All packages include two nights in a deluxe guest-room with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, breakfast each morning in the Gulfstream Restaurant and access to The Island Spa, Ireland’s only proper thalassotherapy spa.
What Adventures Can You Do in the Seaside Adventure Packages?
SURF N STAY
Whether you are a complete beginner and want to try surfing for the first time or looking to enhance your surfing skills, this is the perfect package for you to catch some waves on Inchydoney beach. As well as experienced teachers, all equipment you may need is provided, from the correct wetsuit to suit the season to the best surf boards to match each participant’s level of experience. The Surf N Stay package is priced from €229 per person people sharing.
STARLIGHT KAYAKING
If you are looking for a touch of magic, night kayaking under the stars on the calm coastal waters is the experience for you. This idyllic two-night package includes Bed & Breakfast with a Starlight Kayak for two on an evening of your choice and access to The Island Spa. The Starlight Kayaking package is priced from €245 per person sharing.
CLONAKILTY WALKING FOOD TOUR
If you fancy tasting the artisan flavours of west Cork, joining The Clonakilty Walking Food Tour for a four-hour food adventure is for you. During the tour, Kate will share her knowledge of the local food scene with food stories, skills and traditions that otherwise would be lost from view. You get to discover Clonakilty’s rich food heritage as you meet the food producers, hear their food story and taste their delicious delights. This two-night package costs from €265 per person sharing.
WHALE WATCHING
Get out on the water and head on a whale watching trip from Courtmacsherry with Atlantic Whale and Wildlife Tours. On this tour, you might spot Fin Whales, Humpbacks, Minke Whales, Dolphins, Basking Sharks and Porpoise, all while taking in the gorgeous scenery. This package costs from €239 per person sharing.
CLONAKILTY BY BIKE
If you fancy a bike ride through beautiful West Cork, this is the package for you. You can pick from a variety of distances and enjoy either a challenging cycle or a leisurely peddle. Explore the lush countryside, golden beaches and stunning sea views on your cycle. This two-night package includes one-day of bike hire priced from €199 per person sharing.
For more information or to book one of these spectacular packages, check out their website here or phone +353 23 883 3143
We were delighted to be invited to Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa on this press trip to try their Seaside Adventures.