Mini Adventures for Young Explorers
Looking for a gentle and exciting activity that’s perfect for toddlers and small children? Mini Captains at The Lagoon Activity Centre offers a colourful, child-friendly water experience that’s easy to enjoy and designed with young families in mind.
Whether it’s your child’s first time on the water or you’re simply looking for a short, memorable outdoor activity, Mini Captains is the perfect introduction to water-based fun in a calm and scenic setting.


Toddler-Friendly Water Fun in West Cork
Climb aboard and join your shipmate for a light-hearted journey around the lagoon. With simple controls and calm surroundings, this Mini Captains experience gives little ones a chance to build confidence while having fun beside their grown-up. It’s a great option for young families exploring things to do in West Cork, combining safe water fun with lasting memories.
Popular ride combinations:
- 1 adult + 1 child
- 1 adult + 2 small children
- 2 adults + 1 child
- 2 adults + 2 small children
Each session is €20 per ride. You’re welcome to enjoy it at your own pace, with no set time limit at the moment. We currently have three Mini Captain units available, with a maximum combined weight of 250kg per ride.
Why Families Love Mini Captains
Mini Captains is a gentle and enjoyable way to introduce young children to water activities without the need for swimming skills. It offers a break from high-energy attractions and suits families looking for something short and calm. The activity is ideal for little ones who may be trying this kind of experience for the first time, giving them a chance to feel in control in a safe and relaxed setting. Many parents also appreciate how easily Mini Captains fits into a full day out, pairing well with other activities like pedal boats or a relaxed visit to Jack’s Shack for lunch or a treat.

The water park is great fun for the whole family. The kids loved it....and the daddy loved it. The Iceberg is a hard climb but totally worth it. We're living locally and have gone a couple of times....and will be back.
Heading towards the 40s but still love the inflatable water park so much, my teenagers always have a ball too.
Great family day out. The centre is run very well. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful. We've done a few of these water activities and this one is by far out favourite. You take a short boat ride out to it which was very exciting for the kids also. Toilet facilities are very clean and plenty of hand sanitizer. The whole experience from start to finish was fantastic. We'll definitely be returning. Would highly recommend. Our kids are 13 and 11.
The experience was mixed. If you’re fit you’ll get lots from it . Less so if you’re less so. We went with our Autistic son who felt limited in the things he could because the access to certain obstacles involved going through others he couldn’t manage. Other reviewers have
A win win for parents and teenagers … Having two teenagers who are reluctant to go on holidays with their parents is a challenge but we could not recommend the Lagoon Activity Centre more - 1st day did water park and we were back a second day to race parents in kayaks across the
Absolutely enjoyed this activity centre, it's even great for those people who have a fear of water or can't swim, cos the water is only 3ft deep. So safe enough. Definitely go on this again, loads of fun to be had, in good weather and bad. Brilliant fun
Great place for both adults and children, wetsuit available if you done bring your own, life jackets also, the lagoon is on about 3/4 foot deep so safe for all type of swimmers, water is salty (seems maybe dirty and stagnant to me but I'm no water expert). Big area for running around on and plenty of obstacles to tackle and then the slides
Had a fab time here with my family. Staff were so friendly and helpful and made sure to look after my little girl.
Excellent - would highly recommend. Everything went so smoothly from when we arrived until the end. The kids all had a great time - they varied from 10-14 years of age. We will definitely be back.
Great experience. Friendly staff. If the weather is good the place will be a super fun. Very safe place, just 4 feet deep.
Great place. Very well run and very safe. A must visit if in west Cork.
Had a great time with my kids on the inflatable water park. Staff were helpful and friendly. Change rooms are a little small when everyone is trying to get changed after, but thats a minor complaint. Will definitely go again
Loved it big time. Must do experience of county cork, right after the butter factory.
Went here today did kayaking and the water park.. We had a great time loved every minute of it the water park is a great experience, great for kids and adults.. Definitely will be returning before school starts. Staff very friendly which is a plus.
We had a fantastic day with our three chikdren at the floating water park...even our 16 year old enjoyed it. Even the rain couldnt dampen the experience and the staff were very friendly. I would recommend wearing aqua shoes as it can be shallow and stony underfoot.
Had an amazing day at The Lagoon in Rosscarbery yesterday. We had 13 kids varying in ages from 8-18. They all had an absolute ball. So we’ll organises and safe. All of the employees, lifeguards etc were extremely helpful and great wit the kids. We will be back
Greatest 45 min of our holiday, really safe, crazy activity for all the family. You dont need to be a good swimmer its easy to get around
Kids ages 8-12 enjoyed it, adult thought it was good. The only negative is that groups tend to take over a session too much. There was a group of about 10 teens and our kids couldn’t get on certain things (e.g. rotator) as the group took it over for most of the session. Lifeguard should break this kind of hoarding up. The place is run by very young staff (teens), punctual and polite but I do wonder how they would cope if a serious incident occurred. Overall 4 happy people, but not racing back
Booked for family of 4 as part of our holiday in West Cork and Paul the manager was very accommodating when we had a problem with the time we booked. We had great fun on the inflatables…kids loved the slide and the hamster wheel! There are lovely warm showers after too. Staff were great. We had previously been as a few times and and we will definitely be back again…it doesn’t get old!
Went to the Lagoon Activity Centre today for the first time and we had a ball. Went on the paddle boat and got a kayak each. Everything was very straight forward. Staff were very friendly and extremely helpful and such amazing value. Will definitely come back for some more fun when I come to west cork again.
Very friendly and helpful staff. Everything very clean. We were very well supervised while in the water park and hence had lots of fun. Thanks to all the staff
Kids and hubbie had a ball. Wetsuits optional, all wore life jackets and everyone seemed to enjoy. A little boat brings you from the pier to the feature in the lagoon. Life guard supervised also. Great spot. Would return
So much fun, staff were brilliant and great value for money. Would definitely recommend this for a family activity……..
Really, really enjoyable experience at the Lagoon. Wetsuits and life jackets provided, with both changing rooms and showers (for rinsing off only) available. Staff at reception and on the boat were very friendly and chatty. The course was very fun, and the 45 minute time was
The Lagoon Activity centre was extremely well runnIt is great fun for the family, from 8 years plus!nHighly recommend it, cant wait to go back
Brilliant, Went there with 4 kids aged between 8 and 13 plus a big 50yr lol. Kids loves every minute. Staff were great.
We had a great time here this weekend. My eldest happily went out kayaking and enjoyed the large open space. The rest of us did the water park which had so much to do and was really fun.
Great place. Very well run and very safe. A must visit if in west Cork.
3 kids from 8 to 11 had a brilliant time on the waterpark activity whilst mammy and 2 small ones had some ice cream and enjoyed the good weather 😀
Fun facilities and a lovely relaxed atmosphere at the centre. Very friendly staff at the centre base. Aqua park was fun but very daunting. Be prepared for essentially a slippery bouncy castle. Those in charge of the Aquapark we very unhelpful, bordering on rude. Myself and others were the ones pulling the dingy closer to the inflatable to help people on and off while they looked on. No positive interaction, just looked constantly bored by our existence and us possibly being in need of a hand. Nothing to wipe the very many cuts I witnessed on the way back. Those on shore were very helpful. Please remember that it is all of our first time on a wobbly, slippery inflatable in deep water that most of us are only on to keep out children happy. Our old bodies ache. It costs nothing to give us a fake smile and a hand onto wobbly polyethylene. In fact, it would go a really long way. You catch more flies with honey then with vinegar. Still had a great time though!
Took my two grandchildren to The Lagoon today. They had an absolutely great day and are already planning a return trip! The efficiency and friendliness of staff is second to none! Couldn't recommend it enough. Well done everyone!
Very well run adventure park.Theres a pretty big inflatable park with water slides, trampoline & obstacles which you get to by speed boat & overseen by lifeguards.There are also peddle boats,kayaking & paddle boards for hire.It has a small shop for drinks & sweets & they make homemade pizzas as well.Good COVID19 measures here & the toilets are spotless.There are a few benches outside & it's great for a picnic in the good weather.
Fun afternoon for all. Staff were friendly and helpful. Lovely atmosphere and buzz around the centre. Hope to go again next summer.
Staff very friendly , quaint , little coffee shop , 2 toilets a selection of water sports
Absolutely blown away by my experience at the Lagoon. Staff were exceptional and went above and beyond my expectations. The lads doing the lifejackets and wetsuits were so friendly and professional. The waterpark itself was great craic and all my group had a ball. The whole set
My kids and I visited today and had a brilliant time. We tried the kayaks, the pedalboats and finished up on the inflatable water park - it was so much fun! The staff were so friendly and accommodating and the pizza was delicious. A great day out, thanks!!
Went with my 8 year old, had an absolute blast,was in bits after the activities and still went out on the kayak after. Staff are amazing and so helpful. Will return on our next trip.
How To Get Here
The Lagoon Activity Centre is ideally located in Rosscarbery, Co. Cork, just over an hour away from Cork City and around 2 hours from Limerick. Easily accessible by car and on a main bus route (230 bus from Cork City!) The Lagoon is a breeze to get to.
It’s €20 per Mini Captains ride. The price is per unit, not per person.
There’s no set time limit at the moment. Most families enjoy it for around 20 minutes.
We allow combinations like 1 adult + 2 children or 2 adults + 2 small children, provided the total weight doesn’t exceed 250kg.
Yes. Every group must include at least one adult.
Yes, and they’re required for both children and adults. Our staff will help you get fitted and ready.
Definitely. It works great alongside kayaking or a bite at Jack’s Shack.
We recommend it, especially during weekends and holidays, as we only have three units available.