Origins of Emerald
Outdoors
Inspired by Adventure, Fueled by Passion
Emerald Outdoors was born during a chat on the banks of the Nile river in Uganda. Company founders, Jamie and Colin, were working as whitewater kayak guides there when they met.
The pair have accumulated 30+ years of professional kayak guiding between them around the world. In November 2016 Colin phoned Jamie to come from Africa and explore Kenmare, a mountain-ringed town by the sea in Kerry. The plan was to cherrypick the best practices that they had encountered in the tourism industry and combine them with their passion for kayaking.
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The Journey of Emerald Outdoors
The Birth of Emerald Outdoors
Emerald Outdoors was born during a chat on the banks of the Nile River in Uganda. Founders Jamie and Colin met while working as whitewater kayak guides and shared a passion for kayaking and adventure.
Founders' Background
With over 30 years of combined guiding experience, Jamie and Colin have worked on the rapids of the White Nile and Zambezi rivers in Africa, and numerous rivers in Kenya and South Africa and across the world.
The Kenmare Invitation
In November 2016, Colin invited Jamie to explore Kenmare, a scenic town in Kerry, Ireland. They aimed to combine best practices from global tourism with their kayaking expertise.
The Team Today
Colin and Jamie are delighted to have such a strong team of qualified and experienced guides at Emerald Outdoors. Famous for their excellent jokes, patience and knowledge of the marine environment.
The Here and Now of Emerald Outdoors
Emerald Outdoors is delighted to be recognised with numerous awards including Day Tour Operator of the year (2024), Tour Company of the year (County Kerry, 2024) and Best Water Sports Adventure Company (County Kerry, 2024).
Unforgettable Outdoor Experiences
Experience the thrill of our guided kayak and paddleboard day tours, perfect for both beginners and seasoned paddlers. Start your day with a refreshing morning paddle or explore the magic of the night with our unique nighttime tours. On land, test your aim and skill with archery, unleash your inner warrior with axe throwing, or enjoy the competitive fun of laser clay shooting. We also cater to a wide range of groups, from family reunions to corporate team-building activities and stag & hen parties, tailoring each adventure to your needs and preferences.
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Meet the Founders
Jamie and Colin: Pioneers of Adventure and Exploration
Jamie
Jamie brings over a decade of experience in professional kayak guiding, having worked on some of the world’s most challenging rivers. His journey began in Nepal before moving on to the White Nile and Zambezi rivers in Africa, where he honed his skills and developed a deep passion for adventure and exploration. Jamie’s extensive travels have taken him to rivers across five continents, and his love for sharing these experiences with others is at the heart of Emerald Outdoors.
Colin
Colin has an impressive background as a senior kayak guide and expedition leader. His career highlights include co-leading the Expedition Inception from South Africa to Uganda, achieving numerous first descents of extreme rivers, and founding the Irish Whitewater Racing League. Colin’s commitment to environmental education and sustainable tourism is evident in his work. As a pro team coach for Pyranha Kayaks and sponsored by Kokotat Equipment, Colin combines his expertise with a passion for creating unforgettable adventures.
Meet the Guides
Eamon
Known as the king of dad jokes, Eamon has been the senior guide at Emerald Outdoors for 7 years.
Romke
Skilled with bow, axe and paddle… Romke hails from Sneem and knows all there is to know about the history of Kenmare Bay.
Rowan
Rowan is a true storyteller, an expert in mythology, folklore and, of course, kayaking.
Testimonials
What People Are Saying About Us!
Absolutely brilliant... book up!
Absolutely brilliant! Colin and Jamie made the whole experience fantastic. We saw lots of seals and learnt about the history of the island and the local wild life … and the local tales were a particular hit along with Jamie’s joke 😂 Great for the whole family. Thank you both, throughly enjoyable experience, see you next time!
Kerry M
Hard to put into words!
Hard to put into words! We enjoyed this Kayaking so much; the guides shared interesting stories which made it even more enjoyable – oh, and we saw seals! The whole experience was simply so relaxing. I will definitely recommend it to friends and family.
Eilish M
Incredible experience and amazing staff!
This was our second time on this trip and we couldn’t recommend it more. The experience itself is incredible, the stories, the sunset and the bioluminescence are amazing! The staff are as amazing as the sights, Jamie, Rowan, Rommel and Eamon are so helpful and informative – really great at explaining everything to more nervous members of the group!
We would recommend to anyone of any age and we will definitely be going back!
lauren j, Kenmare
Unbelievable night kayak
Unbelievable night Kayak with Jamie and our 2 x boys – we learnt so much about the nature of the surrounding area (in a v fun way) and also the history both real and Mystical!!! Our son has not stopped telling everyone he meets about the bioluminescence and some of the other amazing things he learnt. Jamie is the best host you could ask for and his endless supply of “dad jokes” was sight to behold. Thanks again Jamie!!!
Graham F
Like fairy lights
This was magical! A must do!
Our tour guide was wonderful, the stories fascinating, and the effervescence.. a once in a lifetime event.
Daena T, California
Utterly fantastic
Utterly fantastic. Took us on a tour of Kenmare Bay in a tandem sit in kayak. The instructor (Eamonn) was full of stories and knowledge about the local history and biome and we felt safe at all times . He judged the trip on our level of paddle experience and adjusted accordingly, just super from beginning to end!
M.N.
A special experience!
We absolutely loved the kayaking! The views were breathtaking and our guide, Eamon, really made the experience special with his stories and history of the area. We even had a few seals pop up to say hello! A very special experience. Thank you.
ksykes89, Manchester UK
The most memorable night
We had thee most memorable night . AMAZING experience for both my two teenage children and myself who is well travelled . It is one for the best tour I’ve done . The location, the tranquility, the confidence of instructors and warmth . Worth every cent . Thank you SO much
Denise M.
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Water Experiences with Emerald Outdoors
With a range of tours to suit all ages and interests you can take charge of a kayak or paddleboard by day or by night for a mystical paddle experience on Kenmare Bay. Explore our tours below…
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Experience Thrilling Land-Based Activities
Dive into a world of excitement and adventure with our range of land-based activities. Whether you’re aiming for the bullseye in archery, perfecting your throw in axe throwing or testing yourself with laser clay shooting…
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