Windsurfing near Mannin Bay
- Dogs bay (14 km)
- Gurteen Bay (14 km)
- Cross Strand (34 km)
- Carrowniskey (35 km)
- Bertra Strand (48 km)
Mannin Bay.
Sail here when it is blowing anything from NW thru N to NE as these directions are not good in either Dog's Bay or Gorteen Bay. In a WNW there can be plently of wind here even if there is none elsewhere as the wind seems to be accelerated between the headlands.
There are rarely waves here, good for blasting and a bit of bump and jump.
Hazards - watch out for nets and lobstr pots out in the middle of the bay. Also a few rocks near the beach at low tide.
Access to the most westerly beach (which is the best one) is tricky but well worth the trip as the setting is idillic. Just after you leave Ballyconneely heading to Clifden take the left turn for Mannin Bay Hotel (used to be Erriseask House Hotel) and head down this narrow road for about 2-3 miles, take only left turn, for Mannin Beg, and continue on for another 2-3 miles. You are looking out for a grassy boreen on your right (actually straight in front of you as the road turns to the left). The boreen descends to a gate. Through the gate (close it) turn left and follow the track west (needs vehicle with good clearance) as far as possible. Plenty of room for rigging on grassy commonage.
If wind dies you can easily walk from here to False Bay (Doonlaughan) for a surf by heading SW.
If you don't turn left for Mannin Beg, as described above, and go straight on you can access the other beaches on this coastline but they are not so good for sailing except maybe in an Easterly.
Note: Launching from the 'Coral' beaches beside the Ballyconneely to Clifden road is not advised. Too many rocks and other hazards at all 3 of the main beaches here.