Two weeks ago I was scared of the sea (and heights) – until I went out coasteering with Wave Sweeper in Belmullet, Co. Mayo. How things have changed. I now love swimming in the sea so much that I want my own wetsuit. To my delight Mark from Wave Sweeper has some water activities taking place in Sligo and he invited me snorkelling in Mullaghmore.
The worst part for me is trying to struggle into the wetsuit, this time I didn’t thump myself in the face! When I was all kitted up we walked down to the water’s edge and Mark explained all about what we were going to do and how to stay safe. As it was my first time snorkelling I didn’t know how I would get on. As I’m getting older I’m finding I’m slightly claustrophobic so the mask was a bit of a challenge – plus learning to breathe through a snorkel. I don’t know about you but I find the minute I think about breathing I forget how to breathe!!
Anyway after a few times of just putting my head in the water to get used to it off we went. It was so amazing! The water was so clear and the amount of things we saw were fantastic. It’s like a whole other world!
I loved swimming in the sea. I felt like Ariel (the little mermaid) not the washing powder 😉 I felt very graceful – until I tried to get up on a rock and was like a beached whale so I just sort of lounged there and checked out the sea urchin (who we put straight back in the sea when we had a look at it).
The highlight for me was swimming with the fish. It was just so different to anything I’ve ever done before and just so fantastic.
It’s so relaxing, all you can hear is yourself breathing and after a very hectic week it was the perfect way to unwind. I’d never have thought there was so much to see just under the surface of the sea.
You’d never think you were in Ireland! We really do have the best of everything along the Wild Atlantic Way. There is so much to explore and such great activities and adventures to take part in.
I can’t wait to go back snorkelling again! Sadly I can’t claim any of these photos as my camera decided to die. So a huge thanks to Mark, for letting me use his amazing images and for looking after me so well, as always. So why not try this for yourself, anyone over the age of 8 can take part in this brilliant experience. If you are in Mullaghmore and looking to snorkel you can can contact Wave Sweeper here.
We also run snorkeling courses all over Ireland so make sure to fill out our course interest form adn we will be right back to you! http://diving.ie/course-interest/
This adventure is part of my Wild Atlantic Wayfarer project, in conjunction with the Hawk’s Well Theatre and LookWest.