Days Out NI
Water sports Craigavon

Craigavon Watersports and Ski Centre

Council-run watersports on Craigavon Lakes — kayak, SUP, sail and powerboat fun

4 photos
SeasonalMainly summer programme; weather-dependent
FreePer person
CraigavonWater sports
Get directionsOfficial website
FreeCost
Mainly summer p…Season
Junior kayak/ca…Best for
Craigavon Lakes…Launches
FreeParking

Craigavon Watersports and Ski Centre — Council-run watersports on Craigavon Lakes — kayak, SUP, sail and powerboat fun.

  • What you can do: Kayak & paddleboard hire, kayak/canoe sessions, sailing & paddling courses, junior multi-activity days, speed-boat & inflatable banana ride.
  • Public access: Open to the public — book sessions/courses; free hire for Get Active ABC members.
  • Booking: Essential — via Get Active ABC app or website.
  • Age / ability: Junior kayak/canoe from age 8; junior paddle week ages 10-16; check ability requirements when booking.
  • Kit provided: Yes — equipment provided for hire and sessions (free hire for members).
  • Season: Mainly summer programme; weather-dependent.
Plan your visit

What you can do on the water

The centre covers paddlesports and more: kayak and paddleboard hire, kayak and canoe sessions, sailing courses and a powerboat-based speed-boat and inflatable ride. Junior multi-activity days mix water and land activities under instructor supervision, and there are junior paddle weeks for ages 10-16. Courses are delivered by qualified BCU/CANI instructors, and the powerboating follows RYA Level 1 standards with a certificate and logbook. Younger children's kayak and canoe sessions start at age 8. As with all watersports, a basic level of comfort and ability in the water is sensible, so check requirements when you book.

Kayak & SUP hire Sailing & paddling courses Banana boat rides Kids from age 8 Book ahead Craigavon Lakes
Good to know before you go:

Operators like this run kids' summer camps, taster days, junior paddle weeks and seasonal watersports courses; sessions are weather- and conditions-dependent, so check their own pages for current dates, bookings and prices.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🩱Swimwear & a warm layerWear your togs under easy clothes; most places provide wetsuits.
  • 🧺A change of clothes & a towelYou WILL get wet — dry clothes for after are a must.
  • 💧Water and a snackYou will be hungry after all that paddling and splashing.
  • 🎫Your bookingLessons and hire usually need booking ahead — have it ready.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Type
Council-run watersports centre (multi-activity, book ahead)
What you can do
Kayak & paddleboard hire, kayak/canoe sessions, sailing & paddling courses, junior multi-activity days, speed-boat & inflatable banana ride
Public access
Open to the public — book sessions/courses; free hire for Get Active ABC members
Booking
Essential — via Get Active ABC app or website
Age / ability
Junior kayak/canoe from age 8; junior paddle week ages 10-16; check ability requirements when booking
Kit provided
Yes — equipment provided for hire and sessions (free hire for members)
Season
Mainly summer programme; weather-dependent
Cost
Check current prices (free equipment hire for Get Active ABC members)
Launches from
Craigavon Lakes (South Lake site)
Parking
Free on-site parking
Address
1 Lake Road, Craigavon BT64 1AS
Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?
Essential — via Get Active ABC app or website
How much is it?
Check current prices (free equipment hire for Get Active ABC members)
When does it run?
Mainly summer programme; weather-dependent
Getting there

Craigavon Watersports and Ski Centre launches from Craigavon Lakes (South Lake site). Free on-site parking. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around CraigavonSee what else is close by More water sports across NISurf, sail, kayak, SUP and more
The story

About the operator

South Lake Watersports is run by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council under its Get Active ABC service, on Craigavon Lakes beside the South Lake Leisure Centre, which opened in 2020 as part of a major council investment. Courses are delivered by qualified BCU/CANI instructors, and powerboating sessions follow RYA Level 1 standards.

Note that the adjacent Craigavon Golf & Ski Centre, with its dry ski slope, is a separate facility run by the same council under the same Get Active ABC brand.