Sherkin
Island
Retreat
Escape to one of Ireland's most beautiful and unspoiled islands. Sherkin Island, nestled in Roaringwater Bay off the coast of West Cork, offers crystal-clear Atlantic waters, rugged scenery, and an unforgettable open water swimming retreat like no other.
Dates
May & Sep 2027
Location
Sherkin Island, Co. Cork
Type
Open Water Retreats
Group Size
Limited Places
The Experience
Why Swim Tours Ireland?
Feel the cold water thrill as you navigate rugged cliffs, discover hidden coves, and surrender to the raw power of the Atlantic swell. This isn't just a swim — it's a deep connection with nature at its most untamed.
Wild Atlantic Way Locations
Swim the most dramatic coastline in Europe — towering sea cliffs, hidden coves, and turquoise waters that defy belief.
Expert Guided Tours
Led by experienced open water marathon swimmers who are qualified beach lifeguards, first aid certified, and licensed boat operators — with deep local knowledge of tides, currents, and the best-kept secrets of the Atlantic coast.
Safety First Approach
Full safety briefings, kayak support on shorter coastal swims, and safety boat cover on bigger open water routes. Every swim is meticulously planned.
Bespoke Experiences
Swim Tours Available
One to One Swim Tours
Want a fully private experience? Our one-to-one tours are tailored entirely to you — your pace, your route, your goals. Ideal for swimmers who want a specific challenge, or simply prefer the intimacy of a private guided swim along the Cork coastline.
Fully private · Your pace · Personalised route
Pricing varies depending on route, distance, and requirements. Get in touch and we'll put something together for you.
Find Out More →Group Tours
Share the swim with friends, a club or a group of like-minded swimmers. Fully guided and supported along the Cork coastline, with a route chosen to suit the group.
2 to 12 people · Guided · Fully supported
€60 per person for 2 hours, €160 per person for a full day. Groups of 2 to 12 people.
Find Out More →Marathon Swim Tour
A 10km guided open water swim along the Cork coastline, built for marathon swimmers chasing distance. Fully supported by experienced local guides.
10km · Marathon swimmers · Fully supported
Get in touch for pricing and availability.
Find Out More →Design Your Own Tour
For competitive swimmers with a specific challenge in mind. Whether it's a target distance, a particular stretch of coastline, or a personal goal you're working towards — we'll plan and guide the swim around what you need. Nothing off the shelf, everything built for you.
Custom route · Competitive swimmers · Any distance
Pricing varies depending on route, distance, and requirements. Get in touch and we'll put something together for you.
Find Out More →Kayak Tours
Kayak-guided swims along the Cork coastline. Your guide paddles alongside for the full swim, keeping you safe while you focus on the water. Ideal for shorter coastal swims and exploring sea caves, coves and headlands.
Kayak guided · Coastal swims · Fully supported
Get in touch for details and availability.
Find Out More →Our Tours
Tours We've Done
Myrtleville to Church Bay & Back
Advanced 4km swim with strong tidal currents. Past Dutch Man Rock (sunken ship), submerged rocky reefs, and old army turret ruins. For experienced swimmers only.
Oysterhaven to Sovereign Island
5km triangular route with strong tides & currents. 1.3km open water to Little Sovereign, swim through island split, surrounded by sea life. Serious open water swimming.
Myrtleville to Fountainstown
4km swim with stunning sea cliff views. Challenge comes rounding the headland into open water where currents are strongest. Real sense of ocean exposure.
Robert's Cove to Myrtleville
5–6km coastal adventure past sea caves, cliffs, and hidden Ringabella Private Beach (ocean access only). Beautiful headland navigation to stunning Myrtleville finale.
Swim Tours Ireland Merch
Wear The Wave
Changing Robe
€80
Waterproof, fleece-lined and built for post-swim warmth.
Black Beanie
€15
Embroidered knit beanie for cold Atlantic days.
Mustard Beanie
€15
Embroidered knit beanie in our signature gold.
Roll-Top Backpack
€55
Water-resistant roll-top backpack with zip front pocket.
Safety & Expertise
Guided. Safe.
Unforgettable.
Your safety is our foundation. Every swim tour is led by experienced, certified guides who know these waters intimately. We combine rigorous safety protocols with local expertise to deliver an experience that's both thrilling and secure.
About Us
Swim Tours Ireland
We started Swim Tours Ireland because we fell in love with the Wild Atlantic Way — not from the shore, but from the water. The Cork coastline has a way of revealing itself only to those willing to get in and swim.
Every tour we offer is a chance to experience the raw beauty of this coastline up close — the sea caves you can only reach by water, the hidden beaches that appear only at high tide, the Atlantic in all its moods. We guide swimmers from all levels through these waters with expertise, respect for the conditions, and a deep appreciation for what we're privileged to witness.
Safety is non-negotiable. Every guide is fully certified, every swim is properly briefed, and every moment on the water is treated with the seriousness it deserves. But we also believe that swimming in the ocean should feel like an adventure — not a risk assessment.
Swim Tours Ireland was created by swimmers, for swimmers. Feel safe knowing your guide is an experienced open water swimmer who knows what it takes to swim short, mid, and long distances in the cold Irish waters. Whether you're here for a single swim or a full retreat, you're joining a community of people who understand that the best part of this coastline isn't what you see from the shore. It's what you feel from the water.
Testimonials
What Swimmers Say
"Absolutely life-changing. Swimming around Roberts Cove with the Atlantic crashing around you — there's nothing else like it on Earth. I've done adventure tours worldwide, and this tops them all."
James O'Sullivan
Dublin, Ireland
"The guides were world-class. You could tell they genuinely love these waters. They made me feel completely safe while still delivering the adrenaline rush I was looking for. Can't recommend enough."
Emma Walsh
London, UK
"The scenery is absolutely unmatched. Hidden sea caves, turquoise water, dramatic cliffs — I felt like I was in a nature documentary. The small group size made it incredibly personal and special."
Ciarán Murphy
Cork, Ireland
Now Booking · Only 12 Places
Sherkin Island
Swim Retreat
May & September 2027 · Sherkin Island, West Cork. Swim, breathe, and slow down on one of Ireland's most unspoiled islands. Food and accommodation included. Limited places available.