Learn how to SUP and have SUP lessons and tours at Sea Synergy Marine Awareness & Activity Centre SUP School, an ASI accredited learn to stand up paddle school. Located at Waterville, Co Kerry, about 360 km / 5 hour drive southwest from Dublin. 

They specialise 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 master’s 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 and tours run from the stunning Lough Currane river, with its breathtaking scenery and calm tranquil conditions.

The river is steeped in history and Irish folklore and is known as the shortest river in Ireland. 

You can spot water lilies, rabbits, hares, a variety of birdlife, dragon flies, salmon and sea trout here.

Take one of their water-based SUP tours to explore the spectacular Ring of Kerry to discover its wonderful waters and wildlife during a water-based tour into nature from Lough Currane river.

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 include toilets, showers, onsite parking.

Waterville, nestled along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way in County Kerry, between the Atlantic Ocean and the freshwater Lough Currane, offering a unique blend of unspoiled waters, scenic landscapes, and marine and freshwater ecosystems that support a wide variety of wildlife and outdoor experiences.

The marine environment here includes sheltered bays, rocky shores, sandy beaches, and kelp forests. Ballinskelligs Bay, just west of Waterville, is known for its calm waters and resident seal colonies, making it ideal for stand-up paddleboarding and snorkelling. Beneath the surface, snorkellers can explore vibrant kelp beds and spot marine life like crabs, anemones, and small fish species that thrive in these nutrient-rich waters.

Lough Currane, on the other hand, is a large freshwater lake connected to the sea by the River Currane. It’s a haven for kayaking and paddleboarding, surrounded by rolling hills and steeped in local folklore. The lake is also famous for its salmon and sea trout, which migrate between the lake and the ocean.

Waterville’s coastal habitats are part of the larger Skellig Coast region, an area celebrated for its natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural heritage. The rocky intertidal zones and tidal pools along the shorelines are teeming with life, from barnacles and limpets to sea stars and seaweeds.

Beyond its marine magic, 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.