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.
Heading towards the 40s but still love the inflatable water park so much, my teenagers always have a ball too.
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!
Attended the floating water park, great fun family event. Note, the water is not clean, make sure not to swallow! Staff very pleasant.
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
Great morning on the inflatables with 2 adults and 3 kids. Very well organised, friendly staff and good value in the cafe. Would highly recommend this activity, we all had great fun.
We went as a family (4 kids ages 16, 14, 6 and 4, and 2 adults) a day out to celebrate the 16th birthday! It's hard to impress the older lads, but they thoroughly enjoyed this! They went on the water park, we watched for a while before bringing the smallies out on a pedal boat.
A group of 17 of us had a fantastic trip to the lagoon today from adults to age 8. So much fun for everyone, the staff were incredible and friendly. Highly recommend a visit, well worth the trip !
Great place. Very well run and very safe. A must visit if in west Cork.
Great place during the summer when the water park is there they allso have kenewing peddle boats and paddle surfing and a small shop that sells ice-cream and other stuff.
We took the trip from Cork City to The Lagoon Activity Centre for the day and it did not disappoint. We had an 8 year old with us and he really enjoyed the water park, as did we it is really great for all ages. Wetsuits and life jackets were provided and there was lovely hot
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!
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.
Very kind, friendly and helpful people behind the desk today and in the boat. Thanks a mill.
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
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
Had a fab time here with my family. Staff were so friendly and helpful and made sure to look after my little girl.
Kids loved it definitely will do it again well worth the money, will do kayaking and pedal boats next time make a day of it
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.
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
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 experience. Friendly staff. If the weather is good the place will be a super fun. Very safe place, just 4 feet deep.
Absolutely brilliant, kids really enjoyed the kayaking which is really safe. Will be back soon
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.
Loved it big time. Must do experience of county cork, right after the butter factory.
Staff were so helpful and friendly. Boys were aged between 9 and 11 years in our group. They truly enjoyed every minute. Only complaint they had was they wanted more time for their session. Highly recommended!!!
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
Everything was excellent 👌 I honestly haven't had that much fun in years! It's brilliantly organised and the staff are so nice! Some great memories have been made today. Thank you
Would highly recommend birthday party here staff were so helpful before and on the day. Children had a ball on the water park and birthday boy had the best fun. Enjoyed the lovely warm pizza in adjoining garden.
I would likely recommend The Lagoon Activity Centre. The family really enjoyed the Total Wipeout style course. They were all smiley and tired afterwards. The coffee was good and the place is very well run and easy to navigate. It is a must see and do in West Cork!
Lovely well maintained park . Have seen the bin collection guy here even in a sunday morning good parking area.tennis court for older kids lovely lake view and only a walk from the shops and restaurants.
Had a fantastic day out as usual, our annual visit to the lagoon! Changing rooms and toliets spotless, staff amazing and very helpful. We did the waterpark which requires a good level of fitness but thats clearly started in the terms and conditions,very detailed safety talk, lifeguards on the ball as per usual. Overall a fantastic day out , we will most definitely be back, looking forward to next year already. nHighly recommend.
Fantastic activity centre kids thoroughly enjoyed it. Great fun plenty of exercise. Staff were friendly and helpful today especially Dylan with welcome and wetsuits etc. Recommend it highly kids of all ages will love it. Will be back again.
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.
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
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
Great craic, I went with my 9 year old son. Wrecked afterwards but definitely worth it. Looking forward to doing it again.
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.


