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Bioluminescent Swim Experience in West Cork
5.0
15 Ratings
Castletownshend
Dive into West Cork’s bioluminescent waters, learn the lore, and end the night by a cozy fire. Experience marine magic like never before.
Dive into West Cork’s bioluminescent waters, learn the lore, and end the night by a cozy fire. Experience marine magic like never before.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Castletownshend - This unique bioluminescent swim is the only one of its kind in Ireland. Each night, we accommodate up to eight participants, with two guides always on hand. Many participants often describe this as the highlight of their visit to Ireland.
- Castletownshend - This unique bioluminescent swim is the only one of its kind in Ireland. Each night, we accommodate up to eight participants, with two guides always on hand. Many participants often describe this as the highlight of their visit to Ireland.
What's Included
- Wetsuits provided
- Swim buoys, goggles, lights at a special wavelength
- Warm blankets for afterwards
- Tea and coffee
- Wetsuits provided
- Swim buoys, goggles, lights at a special wavelength
- Warm blankets for afterwards
- Tea and coffee
Additional Information
We’ll begin our evening with a bit of background, getting you acquainted with this amazing phenomenon. This will include the science and the lore that surrounds bioluminescence. Then, as the night sets in, we’ll head for a refreshing dip very close to the shore. Armed with, wetsuits, swim buoys and lights, we’ll embrace the waters, hoping to be…
We’ll begin our evening with a bit of background, getting you acquainted with this amazing phenomenon. This will include the science and the lore that surrounds bioluminescence. Then, as the night sets in, we’ll head for a refreshing dip very close to the shore. Armed with, wetsuits, swim buoys and lights, we’ll embrace the waters, hoping to be surrounded by the natural luminescence that has, over the years, become a part of West Cork’s legacy. We stay in water that participants can stand in or is less than 10m away from the shoreline but participants do need to be able to swim. But the night doesn’t end with the dip. As we return to the sands, a fire pit awaits, casting its warm glow over the beach. It’s here that we’ll settle down, sipping on a comforting hot drink and sharing stories of the sea, of the land, and of the people who’ve called it home.
- Not recommended for travellers that cannot swim
Location
Castletownshend
We meet at to Castlehaven Strand about 2km southwest of Castletownshend village. It's about 12 minutes outside Skibbereen and it's a very scenic coastal section of the Wild Atlantic Way.
https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=19/51.51800/-9.18871
The house just above the strand has the Eircode P81TF86
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(15 Ratings)
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Nicholas_m
Aug 24, 2025
Single Most Unique Experience in Ireland with 2 of the Best People - There are times in life when you do something cool, even really cool, but rarely daringly cool…and that’s what Conor and Selene offer to travelers and locals alike with one of the wildest things my wife and I have ever experienced. Meet them down at the boat ramp, listen to the briefing, don the wetsuits, and get ready for one of the most insightfully Irish ecologies you’ll ever see. Sure, you’ll get to hear about and experience the bioluminescence, which in itself is epic (truly they are a stunning species in West Cork’s waters). Yet, what Conor and Selene complement this experience with really illuminates and refracts the true character of this beautiful country and its fascinating people, in itself another bioluminescent experience. In all my years of traveling, I’ve never been so taken with an experience that is definitely off the beaten path, and frankly gave me a little shining light in this world of great uncertainty.
Travellers: If you’re already sold on this, great! If you’re on the fence, DO IT. Its impact on you will reverberate through the ages and dare you to pass along a similar torch that these two wonderful humans gave us.
Review provided by Viator
Steven_m
Aug 15, 2025
Illuminating Experience - Conor and Celine were wonderful hosts on this unique experience. Never did we expect to swim in the darkness off the coast of Ireland in a protected haven. It was amazing to see the water light up right before our eyes. Conor is a great storyteller as well, he told us stories before and after swimming as we sat around the fire pit. The setting was right next to and old church and graveyard adding to the experience.
Review provided by Viator
Elisabethgb7208qf
Aug 3, 2025
A magical one-of-a-kind experience - What a wonderful experience!! This was a really magical experience - unlike anything else I've done and so hard to explain to anyone since! All really well organised and put together. The setting is so tranquil and atmospheric and I loved the storytelling around the fire both before and after. Definitely one of the best things I did while in Co. Cork
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Siveo2023
Jul 25, 2025
This was a really magical experience and I can't wait to do it again. There is nothing quite like it. - This is undeniably one of the best things you can do in West Cork. Connor and Celine created such an amazing experience for us all- there was a roaring fire going by the beach, really interesting (and funny) local folklore, songs and of course- the swim! The bioluminescence was breathtaking. Conor and Celine really know their stuff when it comes to night swimming and the whole experience was perfectly timed to witness the bioluminescence and see the starry nightsky too. Overall it is a really special experience in great company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Saralv431qw
Sep 16, 2024
One of the most unique experiences possible! - Conor and Celine were super friendly and knowledgeable. Very safety and fun focussed. The stories are a brilliant addition. I have recommended this tour to everyone I have spoken to since.
Plus, Conor also very kindly answered some followup questions about the equipment he used. Which was super sound.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
D9577fbjeffreyf
Sep 13, 2024
AMAZING SWIM EXPERIENCE! - I have traveled in many countries, and had the opportunity to experience many things. And this experience one of my all time favorites! To start, this is a small family-run excursion. And Conor and his family are amazing hosts. In the course of the evening you truly feel like you all become friends. There was no sense of being rushed through a tourist experience. It felt like you and your old friends decided to meet up for a brisk moonlight swim.
The night of my swim there was a full moon, and that reduced our ability to observe the sparkling bioluminescence organisms. However, after the clouds moved in, the sea lit up with what looked like tiny glowing diamonds suspended in the inky water. It was so, so peaceful.
After the swim there was a fire and hot tea waiting on shore. And we stood around the warm flames as Conor shared traditional Irish legends and local family folklore. This is an amazing travel experience. It really made me feel like less of a tourist and more a local.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
650emerb
Sep 13, 2024
Bioluminescence Swim Experience - My partner and I met Conor at the Gormu Bioiluminescence Swimming Experience strand near Castlehaven at the very end of August 2024.
He showed us around, let us know what the evening’s plan would be and got us settled. He began by setting up the strand with helpful lighting, all the equipment we needed for the swim and a fantastic fire. We couldn’t have been cosier. Conor gave us a wonderful introduction to what Bioluminescence, how it works and what we could see and experience. Before we went to the water he shared his gift of story telling which transported us to days gone by. After this we readied ourselves with wetsuits, booties, swimming hats and googles and safety bouys (all provided) and off we went. We were so lucky as the conditions were perfect for our swim as Conor had predicted. We spent a half an hour in the water and experienced the bioluminescence the entire time. It was pure magic. After we got out and changed into our warm clothes Conor had hot tea and snacks waiting for us. He shared another great story with us while sitting around the roaring fire. It was a really fantastic experience and we were thrilled to have had Conor as a guide. I would highly recommend this experience. Thank you Conor!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
F9267nfmaryo
Sep 12, 2024
A truly wonderful experience, a wonder of nature in a truly wonderful location with wonderful people! - What a wonderful experience! As a 70+, I was filled with trepidation driving to the beach to meet the group. From the moment I arrived, the warm welcome and introductions not to mention the very professional organisation evident in the quality and scope of the equipment provided, put me completely at ease. The sight of the glowing fire pit reassured me that I would be able to warm up quickly afterwards. The lovely couple running the event, Celine and Conor couldn’t have done more to put us at ease explaining the nature of bioluminescence, how to use the equipment and telling some entertaining stories as we waited for full darkness then guiding us into the sea and unobtrusively monitoring us all the time as we swam around in the dark enjoying the wonders of bioluminescence. When we came ashore, within moments we were being offered rugs, hot drinks and sweet treats and as we sat around the fire pit we chatted and were treated to more storytelling. It was a truly wonderful experience, shared with lovely people and absolutely not to be missed - treat yourself!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U651sqmaryc
Sep 8, 2024
A Magical Evening in West Cork - When my B&B host recommended this and it was right down the street from where I was staying (Atlantic House B&B) I had to give it a try. Hands down, such a unique and rewarding experience. Any one of the elements-- swimming in the ocean at night with a group of friendly people (and all the safety gear), experiencing the bioluminescence
phenomena, a cozy fire pit after with hot tea and storytelling-- a truly once in a lifetime experience and I would highly recommend it. Magical.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mary
Sep 3, 2024
A Magical Seasonal Experience not to be missed - A surreal scene as we waited in the gathering darkness, eventually the scene was set. The slip lit only by a line of small fairy lights and each swimmer carrying a swim buoy with a necessary light incert. As we slipped seamlessly into the dark water, a glistening shimmering world enveloped us. We moved gently along in a trail of gossamer sparkles that moved with us. Meanwhile the fire pit glowed warmly awaiting our return from the magical shoreline to warm drinks and treats…
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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