Within minutes of crossing the causeway onto the island, we realised the scenery would far exceed any expectations we\u2019d had beforehand — and that\u2019s coming from someone who\u2019s lived on Ireland\u2019s Wild Atlantic Way<\/a> for the best part of their life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a word? Achill Island is magical<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read next:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe it\u2019s the hills heavy with megaliths, ruins, and heather-filled fields, the smell of the rain as it lands on wool, or the sheep that rule the roads. Maybe it\u2019s the swell and surge of the ocean that only those perched on the edge of the Atlantic truly know. Maybe it\u2019s seeing the last shards of sunlight turn the whole sky tangerine before it slips below Europe\u2019s most westerly fringes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whatever it is, it had us hooked from the moment we arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re considering visiting Achill Island, all I can say is: you won\u2019t be disappointed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a haven away from the madness of the city and Ireland\u2019s well-trodden tourist trail, and still, it\u2019s all the natural beauty, craic, friendliness, and adventure that you\u2019d hope to find in a craggy corner of the Irish countryside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those of you ready to add a trip to Achill to your Ireland bucket list<\/a> (or perhaps those still looking to be convinced) here\u2019s our attempt at summarising that which can\u2019t really be put into words. This post will walk you through exactly what to expect from a visit to Achill, including all the most epic things to do there, where to stay, eat, and drink pints (yassss!<\/em>), how to get there, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s your complete adventure travel guide to Achill Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Achill Island is located on the northwest coast of Ireland in County Mayo. The nearest cities are Sligo and Galway, with towns like Westport, Newport, and Castlebar closer still. Achill sits about 300km west of Dublin (approx. 4 hours by car), 140km northwest of Galway (2.5 hours by car), and 330km northwest of Cork (4.5 hours by car). Achill Island also happens to be located along the Wild Atlantic Way, a renowned tourist trail that runs along the west coast of Ireland from Donegal to Cork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ireland\u2019s largest island, Achill Island is connected to the mainland by a short causeway. Visitors can drive across without the need to catch a ferry. And for what it\u2019s worth, the drive is absolutely BREATHTAKING and acts as the perfect introduction for what the rest of the island has in store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A trip to Achill Island promises a glimpse of the rural, quiet countryside that\u2019s reminiscent of a bygone Ireland. It\u2019s a place to get away from it all; to see some of the most gorgeous scenery on the Atlantic coast — but without the crowds. Unless we\u2019re talking about crowds of sheep. Errr, make that flocks?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The island offers outdoor adventures galore like hiking the tallest peaks, cycling along the coastal roads, and adrenaline-fuelled kitesurfing and surf sessions (we’ll get to all that in detail below). It\u2019s perfect for nature lovers, photographers, landscape junkies, and those looking to experience \u201cauthentic\u201d Ireland. Read next:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One thing to note before you set off is that Achill Island\u2019s weather is extremely<\/em> volatile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve spent time in Ireland, you\u2019ll already be familiar with the isle\u2019s ability to swing from stone-splitting sunshine to lashing rain in minutes — but ask us, and we say Achill Island\u2019s weather is particularly, errrr, hormonal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We spent a week there at the end of September and let\u2019s just say, we got wet. Not because it was a constant downpour — quite the opposite. More like we\u2019d be strolling around on the beach in the sunshine when suddenly it\u2019d be bucketing down on top of us, soaking us to the bone in seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prepare for the worst, hope for the best — as they say (we\u2019ve included a handy packing list below which should help you be prepared for \u2018all the seasons of the day\u2019).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The island, although the biggest in Ireland, isn\u2019t all that huge (according to Wikipedia it\u2019s 148 km2 or 57 sq mi). As such, everything is within easy driving distance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve been asked if you can drive on Achill Island, and the answer is yes — in fact, you most certainly should <\/em>drive on Achill. I can pretty much guarantee that unless you\u2019re visiting with a tour group, you\u2019ll struggle without a car (public transport isn\u2019t really a thing in Ireland\u2019s backcountry and everything is quite spread out on the island). <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t have your own car, we\u2019d highly recommend visiting Achill Island with a rental car from AutoEurope<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, that\u2019s the logistics done and dusted (if you still have questions, hang on for our FAQs about Achill Island at the end of the article). Let\u2019s move on to what there is to do<\/em> on Achill Island:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kitesurfing acts as many people\u2019s primo reason for visiting Achill Island — as it was for us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Achill is home to some of the best conditions for kitesurfing in Ireland<\/a>, with fairly strong, consistent wind blowing in off the Atlantic and a mix of waves and flat water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kiters can take their pick between the blustery shores of Keel Beach and the flat water of Keel Lake, just opposite. Both spots are insanely <\/em>scenic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Working best on a S\/SW\/W wind, the beach sits at the foot of some massive sea cliffs, where clouds and crashing waves merge into one to form what seems to be a near-constant glittering mist. The beach is sandy with a few pebbles and features a grassy area behind which is perfect for launching and landing. Depending on the strength of the wind, the waves can get pretty big.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, Keel Lake (which is literally just over the road) is a flatwater haven. The water is fairly shallow — think knee-deep — which makes it ideal for beginners looking to get to grips with riding for the first time. The lake works on the same wind direction as the beach; should the direction turn any more northerly, it becomes mega gusty thanks to Slievemore Mountain which sits just behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those of you looking to make the journey to Achill for kitesurfing, get in touch with the crew from Pure Magic Watersports<\/a>. During the summer season, they run a fabulous club in Keel, providing all you\u2019ll need in terms of lessons, advanced coaching, and gear rental. They also have a super lovely lodge where guests can stay right near the spot. We stayed there ourselves during the 2019 Battle for the Lake festival and loved the homely vibes, friendly staff, food, craft beers, and craic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Experience the diversity of Achill Island\u2019s natural beauty by hitting the road and exploring the island\u2019s waymarked Atlantic drive. The route takes you along the most scenic part of Achill\u2019s Atlantic-facing coastline, beginning just opposite Achill Sound in the east and stretching through the villages of Shraheens, Derreens, Cloughmore, and out overlooking Clare and Achill Beg islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The landscapes you\u2019ll pass on this drive encompass all that incredible diversity of Achill Island; vast expanses of rhododendrons, waves crashing against sea cliffs, sleepy villages, ancient churches, coves and beaches, and viewpoints that\u2019ll take your breath away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Achill Island may bear the brunt of frequent Atlantic squalls, but it also benefits from them — the island\u2019s wave-smashed coastline is a surfer\u2019s paradise. Keel Beach is the premiere spot, with a gently sloping sand-bottom beach break and nicely spaced waves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FWIW Jim and I had the chance to drive around the island checking out some of the other beaches too, and we spotted a few quiet coves with absolutely gorgeous clean waves. There\u2019s so much potential for surfing on Achill Island!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Achill Surf School & Adventure Centre<\/a> is based out of a club near Keel Beach, offering surf lessons for all levels as well as board and wetsuit rentals. They also offer a pile of other adventure activities, like kayaking and coasteering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While we\u2019ve got road trips in mind, you definitely won\u2019t want to miss the drive up Minaun Heights — the huge peak overlooking Keel Beach, the lake, Blacksod Bay and beyond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The drive up Minaun is all hairpin turns and sheep, most of whom have taken to chilling on the grassy banks next to the road (though admittedly, often in the middle of it). You could easily park at the bottom and hike up instead!<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"dramatic](\"https:\/\/extremenomads.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/achill-island-mayo-5.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"tangerine](\"https:\/\/extremenomads.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/achill-island-mayo-6.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhere is Achill Island?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What to expect from your visit to Achill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"sunset](\"https:\/\/extremenomads.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/achill-island-mayo-3.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAchill Island weather<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Transport<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Adventurous Things to do on Achill Island: Attractions, things to see, places to visit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nKitesurfing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/extremenomads.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Achill-26-09-4.jpg\")
Atlantic drive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Surfing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/extremenomads.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/achill-island-mayo.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMinaun Heights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"view](\"https:\/\/extremenomads.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/achill-island-mayo-4.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/extremenomads.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/keenbeach-webres.jpg\")