Learn how to stand up paddle and have SUP lessons and tours at Sea Synergy Marine Awareness & Activity Centre, an ASI accredited SUP school located at Cahersiveen, Co Kerry.

Part of the stunning Skellig Coast, on the Wild Atlantic Way, Cahersiveen is about 360 km / 4.5 hour drive southwest from Dublin.

Sea Synergy specialises in marine experiences and education with stand up paddle activities a great way to get close to nature and learn about the local marine environment, wildlife and marine creatures.

Sea Synergy was founded in 2014 by marine biologist and experienced paddler Lucy Hunt, it was created to foster a deeper connection with nature and the local marine environment through immersive and hands-on experiences.

Sea Synergy offers a range of educational programs and outdoor adventures -  designed to showcase the rich biodiversity of Ireland’s coastline and the Wild Atlantic Way, while helping participants understand the vital role the ocean plays in our daily lives.

Lucy's impressive background includes a masters in zoology and a degree in marine environmental protection. She is also a certified SUP instructor, dive master, rescue diver, emergency first responder, and trained in wilderness first aid. Before returning home to establish Sea Synergy in Waterville, Lucy worked across the globe in marine education, research, mammal observation, and eco-tourism.

She launched the SUP school in her hometown of Waterville to take full advantage of the area’s incredible marine habitats.   

Today, she is supported by a team of experienced, ASI-accredited SUP instructors—each with rescue and first aid qualifications and a passion or academic background in marine biology and conservation.

Sea Synergy is a centre that helps people explore and learn about the marines environments (rivers and the ocean) through fun outdoor activities and hands-on learning.  All Activities include information about the marine environment, wildlife and marine creatures. 

They offer stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking, and snorkelling for people of all ages and skill levels.   

Join the paddle club  - with weekly paddle sessions. Try SUP Yoga or the Sunset paddles.  Visit seals in Ballinskelligs Bay or join in the coastal walks.

Sign kids up for fun-filled holiday camps, that are educational and fun!

They also run education programs with schools across Kerry to teach children about marine environments through fun classroom and beach activities.

At local events, they bring along their "Marine Creature Feature" stall, with real sea creatures, shark eggs, bones, games, and fun facts shared by marine experts. They also give talks and workshops—both in person and online—on everything from sea life and ocean careers to watching whales and dolphins.

Through their project LH Marine, they also create teaching materials for schools and run research projects about sea animals and habitats.

Sea Synergy’s overall goal is to help people enjoy our marine environments and the ocean, understand why it matters, and feel inspired to protect it.

SUP lessons, tours and activities are held on the River Fertha.  This gentle river winds through Cahersiveen, offering a tranquil paddle with panoramic views of heritage landmarks and wildlife.

Launch from the Sea Synergy office on the Cahersiveen Marina and paddle into the River Fertha.

Offering calm paddling conditions, the river is also steeped in history and Irish folklore. Glide past the 14th-century castle ruins, the stately Old Barracks, and under the historic railway bridge. Paddle alongside seals, herons, hares, and fish in their natural habitat.

SUP activities are also held at Waterville, on the stunning Lough Currane. Its large lake 10km sq with  mountains on the east and south side, breathtaking scenery, calm tranquil conditions.   You can spot water lilies, rabbits, hares, a variety of birdlife, dragon flies, salmon and sea trout here.

It’s the ideal way to experience the Skellig Coast’s rich local heritage and environment and all of what Ireland’s Wild Atlantic has to offer. 

Facilities at the Sea Synergy office include toilets, showers, onsite parking.

Cahersiveen and Waterville are two nature-focused stops along the Ring of Kerry, offering quiet landscapes, wildlife encounters, and outdoor activities.

Cahersiveen

Cahersiveen offers a mix of natural beauty, historic landmarks, and outdoor activities that make it a standout destination along the Ring of Kerry. One of the most striking sites is Ballycarbery Castle, a partially ruined fortress perched on a grassy hill near the sea. Just a short distance away are the Cahergall and Leacanabuaile stone ring forts, which date back to the Bronze Age and offer insight into Ireland’s early settlement history.

The town itself is home to the Old Barracks Heritage Centre, a restored 19th-century building that once housed the Royal Irish Constabulary and now features exhibits on local history and Daniel O’Connell, who was born nearby. Visitors can also explore the Daniel O’Connell Memorial Church, a large and architecturally unique structure built in his honor.

Nature lovers will enjoy kayaking on the River Fertha, where seals and seabirds are often spotted, or heading to White Strand Beach for a quiet walk along the shore. Fishing is popular in the area, with options for both deep-sea and freshwater experiences. For those interested in local flavors, the Skellig Six18 Distillery offers tours and tastings of artisan gin and whiskey.

Cahersiveen also serves as a gateway to the Skellig Ring and Valentia Island, making it a great base for exploring nearby coastal villages, mountain views, and wildlife-rich areas.

Waterville

Waterville sits on the edge of Lough Currane, a large freshwater lake connected to the sea by the River Currane. The area offers a mix of scenic landscapes and diverse ecosystems, supporting both freshwater and marine wildlife. Lough Currane is well known for its salmon and sea trout, which migrate between the lake and the ocean.

Just west of Waterville, Ballinskelligs Bay features calm waters and resident seal colonies, making it a popular spot for stand-up paddleboarding and snorkelling. The bay’s kelp forests and rocky shores provide habitat for crabs, anemones, and small fish. Along the coast, tidal pools and intertidal zones are rich with barnacles, limpets, sea stars, and seaweeds.

This stretch of coastline is part of the Skellig Coast region, celebrated for its natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural significance.

Waterville Beach is a local favourite, with a long promenade perfect for sunset strolls and views across Ballinskelligs Bay. Just steps away, the Charlie Chaplin Statue pays tribute to the legendary filmmaker who holidayed here for years—there’s even a comedy festival in his honour each August.

Golfers are spoiled with Waterville Golf Links, one of the world’s top-ranked links courses, and the luxurious Hogs Head Golf Club, both offering stunning coastal backdrops.

For history buffs, Loher Stone Fort and Eightercua Stone Row offer glimpses into Ireland’s ancient past, with panoramic views to match.

Outdoor lovers can explore The Kerry Way, a long-distance walking trail that passes through Waterville, or cycle scenic routes around Lough Currane and the Skellig Ring. For a more relaxed pace, Waterville Heritage Trail guides you through the village’s rich cultural and telegraph history.

Nearby, you can take a boat trip to the Skellig Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its monastic ruins and puffin colonies. Or head to Derrynane Beach, just a short drive away, for calm waters and a walk to Abbey Island.

And if you’re into craft beer, McGill’s Brewery just outside town offers tastings and tours with a local twist.