With such superb beaches beautiful cliffs and clearest Atlantic ocean water warmed by the gulfstream Donegal is a haven for those wanting to surf, dive, fish and windsurf.
Sea Angling
Unlike many other areas west Donegal still has great opportunities for capturing the big one. The range of species is huge from turbot and brill to cod and haddock and great tope, blue and recently many hard fighting porbeagle shark and specemin torsk on the may WW2 wrecks that litter this coast. There are charter boats available in Downings and Burtenport and nearly anywhere you can cast off the rocks or a beach to catch flatfish, pollack or even sea trout in Ballyness estuary below the house. Please contact us for a list of charter boats or suggestions on where to fish off the shore.
Surfing
Magheroarty beach is a surfers and windsurfers paradise. The crescent shaped bay is well sheltered by the islands of Innisboffin and Innishbeg so it gives a fairly calm bay with strong steady winds and good surf on the beach. For experts the reef just off the pier often produces huge waves and is espicially good for canoe surfing. Jaws watersports and Narosa in Dunfanaghy run surfing and windsurfing courses for both kids and adults.These cater from complete beginner level to pro individual tuition but all focus on having fun and being safe. Narosa also have expert yoga teachers to give you the control and core strength to make the most of your time on the board. For beginners the blue flag beach at Marble Hill is the place to go, some nice consistant waves on a beautiful shallow beach. They also sell and hire surf gear. In fact Dunfanaghy is quickly becoming the surf capital of Donegal.
Diving
There are hundreds of WW1 and WW2 wrecks off the Donegal coast many suitable for diving with boats based in Downings and Burtenport. The Audacious still has much of the hull intact including gun turrets but is only for expert divers. The Sheephaven Sub Aqua Club can help with advice on locations and boat hire.
Watersports Links
Jaws- great shop for gear and hire and lessons in surf, kayak and windsurf.
Narosa - close to Jaws in Dunfanaghy more gear and rental with lessons and kids clubs.
