Baysports
Baysports operates Ireland's largest inflatable waterpark at Hodson Bay on Lough Ree, offering waterpark admission, boat tours, ISA-accredited water sports training, SauNua sauna sessions, school tours, and group activities for families, schools, corporates, and tourists.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersAthlone, Ireland
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Baysports does
Baysports is a privately held Irish limited company (Athlone Baysports Ltd), founded in 1985 by Richard (Richie) O'Hara and operated from a single site at Hodson Bay on the shores of Lough Ree in Athlone, County Roscommon. The company's core product is Ireland's largest inflatable waterpark, a 1,400 sq metre floating installation anchored in open water that includes award-winning slides, rockers, climbing challenges, and icebergs, with a Guinness World Record for the tallest inflatable waterslide. The asset base extends into boat tours (Lady Slievemore, a 12-seat luxury cruiser plus shorter lake cruises), water-activity rentals (kayaks, rafts, dragon boats), an Irish Sailing Association (ISA) accredited training centre for powerboat and motor cruiser certification, the recently launched SauNua wood-fired barrel sauna and lakeside hot tub/cold plunge experience, an on-site BayCafé food truck, and a small retail offering (socks, towels, branded T-shirts, cloakroom service).
The business operates a primarily direct-to-consumer, transactional revenue model with one recurring element: ticket sales and session fees are the dominant streams, ranging from €5 (Beam Island Cruise) to €450 (SauNua full private two-sauna-and-two-hot-tub session), and an annual BayPass season pass (€103.50-€295) provides named-member unlimited access with capped daily sessions. Multi-channel marketing combines the baysports.ie storefront with third-party booking (ecom.roller.app), Facebook/Instagram, TripAdvisor and Google reviews (4.5-4.7/5), and earned media through Ireland's Hidden Heartlands regional tourism initiative co-funded by the EU Just Transition Fund.
Customer concentration is distributed across multiple segments: families and individual visitors for leisure waterpark visits, school tour programmes for primary and secondary institutions, corporate and sports-club group bookings (20+), stag/hen and birthday celebrations, adventure-sports participants booking ISA courses, and wellness seekers using SauNua. Operating tempo is sharply seasonal on the waterpark side (school tour window plus July-August peak) and year-round on SauNua private and ISA training. No external funding rounds, acquisitions, or headcount disclosures are present in the available data.
Baysports firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Baysports
- Legal name
- Athlone Baysports Ltd
- Website
- https://baysports.ie
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Baysports operates Ireland's largest inflatable waterpark at Hodson Bay on Lough Ree, offering waterpark admission, boat tours, ISA-accredited water sports training, SauNua sauna sessions, school tours, and group activities for families, schools, corporates, and tourists.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Baysports industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Outdoor Adventure Tourism / Inflatable Waterpark Attraction
- NAICS
- Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Outdoor Water Parks (Wave Pools, Lazy Rivers, Slides) (THAAABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hot Springs, Lagoons & Water-Based Wellness (Thermal Pools, Floating Spas) (THAJAJAN), Whitewater & Paddle Sports Centers (Rafting, Kayak, SUP, Canoe) (THAAAKAF), Jet Ski, Parasailing & Tow Sports (Wakeboard, Waterski, Tubing) (THAJAJAH)
Keywords
Where Baysports is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Athlone
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Baysports business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Waterpark Admission Tickets: Core revenue from selling timed entry tickets to the inflatable waterpark. Tickets are sold online in advance or at reception. Standard sessions are 1 hour on the waterpark, with 1.5-hour options available.
- BayPass Season Pass: Season pass offering unlimited access to the waterpark for the entire season. Valid for 1 year from purchase. Named and photographed members only. Tiered pricing for individuals and family groups.
- Boat Tours: Revenue from boat tour products including Athlone Town Cruise (€20/hour), Hare Island Cruise (€30/30 min), Beam Island Cruise (€5/10 min), and chartered tours on Lady Slievemore with per-person pricing based on group size.
- Water Activity Rentals: Kayak rental (1-hour inclusive of wetsuits and buoyancy aids), raft rental, dragon boat racing, powerboat courses (ISA accredited), and pedal boats available as separate rental activities.
- SauNua Sauna and Hot Tub Sessions: Private and open sauna and hot tub sessions. Standard sessions priced at €30/hour (sauna + hot tub), €15 (sauna only), €25 (hot tub only). Private exclusive sessions from €120 to €450 depending on facilities booked.
- Food and Beverage (BayCafé): On-site food truck serving hot food, teas, coffees, ice-creams, snacks and refreshments. Sandwiches, burgers, and dressed fries are offered.
- Retail Merchandise: On-site shop sells socks (€3), towels (€10), and Bayline brand 100% cotton t-shirts (€20). Cloakroom service at €2.
- School Tour Packages: Structured school tour programmes for primary and secondary schools, with optional food packages add-ons. Bookings handled through office contact (phone/email).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Waterpark Admission - 1 Hour Session |
| Subscription | Annual | BayPass Season Pass - Individual Child (age 6-13) |
| Subscription | Annual | BayPass Season Pass - Individual Adult (age 14+) |
| Subscription | Annual | BayPass Family Group Passes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Athlone Town Cruise - 1 Hour |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hare Island Cruise - 30 Minutes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Beam Island Cruise - 10 Minutes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SauNua Sauna & Hot Tub - 1 Hour (Standard) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SauNua Private Sessions |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lough Ree Island Discovery Boat Tour - Per Person |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cloakroom Service |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Baysports Socks |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Baysports Towel |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bayline T-Shirt |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Baysports product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Baysports operates Ireland's largest inflatable waterpark on Lough Ree in Athlone, offering timed entry sessions on a 1,400 sq meter floating obstacle course of slides, rockers, and climbing challenges. The company complements this with boat tours, water sports rentals (kayaks, rafts, dragon boats), ISA-accredited powerboat and sailing training courses, school tour programmes, group bookings, an on-site BayCafé, and a sub-brand SauNua lakeside sauna and hot tub wellness experience with cold plunge.
Product overview
Baysports operates as a multi-attraction outdoor waterpark and leisure destination in Athlone, Ireland, built around Ireland's largest inflatable waterpark as its core product. The company offers a portfolio of water-based activities (kayak rental, rafting, dragon boat racing, boat tours) alongside wellness experiences (SauNua sauna and hot tub), educational programmes (ISA training, school tours), and retail items (socks, towels, merchandise). Additional services include group bookings for corporate events and celebrations, BayPass season passes for unlimited waterpark access, and BayCafé catering. The waterpark itself spans 1,400 square meters with multiple themed sections and attractions, while sister offerings like boat tours and ISA training extend the experience beyond the inflatable park.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SauNua: Sauna and hot tub wellness experience featuring wood-fired barrel saunas, outdoor hot tubs, and cold plunge in Lough Ree. Located lakeside at Baysports.
Products and services
- Baysports Waterpark Ireland's largest inflatable waterpark featuring award-winning floating slides, rockers, climbing challenges, and obstacle courses spread across 1,400 square meters on Lough Ree. Includes themed zones such as the Isle of Saints and Scholars and a Junior Park for children aged 2+.
- SauNua Sauna and Hot Tub Experience Lakeside wellness experience featuring wood-fired barrel saunas, outdoor hot tubs, and cold plunge in Lough Ree, available as private (up to 12 people) and open sessions for relaxation, muscle recovery, and stress relief.
- Lady Slievemore Boat Tours
Quantifiable outcome
- 4.7/5 on Facebook, 4.6/5 on Google, 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor from hundreds of visitor reviews
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Baysports
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Baysports technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Baysports partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Irish Sailing Association (ISA)coreBaysports is an accredited ISA Training Centre offering powerboat courses, motor cruiser courses, personal watercraft training, and ICC assessments. The partnership provides official certification pathways for water sports enthusiasts, differentiating Baysports from leisure-only operators.
- Sailing IrelandcoreBaysports offers the National Powerboat Certificate in partnership with Sailing Ireland, providing accredited certification for powerboat operation on Irish waterways.
- Hodson Bay HotelminorThe Athlone Town Cruise boat tour departs from the harbour outside the Hodson Bay Hotel. Baysports is located just beyond the hotel. The proximity and commercial area create a symbiotic relationship with the hotel for tourist accommodation.
- EU Just Transition Fund (EU JTF)minorBaysports participates in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands tourism initiative, co-funded by the EU Just Transition Fund, which supports regional development and sustainable tourism in the midlands of Ireland.
- National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)minorThe Black Islands on Lough Ree, featured in Baysports boat tours, have been recently acquired by the NPWS and designated as a protected breeding ground for wading birds. This designation enhances the ecological value of the boat tour experience.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Baysports competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Sailing Ireland: National governing body for sailing in Ireland and Baysports' ISA training partner. Comparable not as a competitor but as a credentialing/ecosystem partner that grants Baysports access to accredited certification courses.
- Hodson Bay Hotel: Adjacent four-star hotel at Hodson Bay, Athlone, from whose harbour Baysports' Athlone Town Cruise departs. A symbiotic commercial partner rather than a direct competitor, sharing tourist footfall and bundled packages.
Direct peers
- The Lagoon Activity Centre: Wicklow-based outdoor activity centre offering water sports, group activities, and watersports tuition on a lake setting. Comparable multi-activity lake destination with overlapping family and group customer segments.
- Gosford Lakes Aqua Park: Northern Ireland inflatable aqua park on Gosford Lake. Comparable single-site, outdoor inflatable waterpark business model with family, school, and group customer bases.
- Liquid Leisure: UK's largest inflatable aqua park operator near London, offering comparable floating obstacle courses, slide attractions, and water-based group activities. Closest direct competitor in the inflatable waterpark category in the British Isles.
- Lakeside Aqua Park: UK operator of inflatable waterpark attractions on freshwater lakes. Closely comparable single-site model, asset profile, and target customer segments (families, groups, schools) to Baysports.
- Killary Adventure Centre: Established Irish adventure tourism operator in Connemara offering water sports, kayaking, and group activities. Comparable in Irish adventure tourism positioning, school tour market, and accredited water sports course offerings.
- Forest Adventure Ireland: Outdoor adventure activity operator in the midlands/west of Ireland offering high-ropes, water-based activities, and group experiences. Comparable in customer segment (families, school tours, corporate groups) and outdoor activity mix.
- Lough Erne Waterpark: Inflatable waterpark operator on Lough Erne in Northern Ireland, offering a very similar outdoor floating obstacle course, group bookings, and water-sports activities. Strong direct peer in the same inflatable waterpark + lake leisure category.
Broad incumbents
- Center Parcs UK & Ireland: UK/Ireland family short-break resort with on-site waterpark and indoor/outdoor activities. Broader, larger-scale incumbent in the family activity-stay category; overlaps with Baysports on family short-break and waterpark demand.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Baysports social profiles
Digital presenceBaysports financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Baysports leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Baysports funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Baysports M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Baysports
What does Baysports do?
Baysports operates Ireland's largest inflatable waterpark on Lough Ree in Athlone, offering timed entry sessions on a 1,400 sq meter floating obstacle course of slides, rockers, and climbing challenges. The company complements this with boat tours, water sports rentals (kayaks, rafts, dragon boats), ISA-accredited powerboat and sailing training courses, school tour programmes, group bookings, an on-site BayCafé, and a sub-brand SauNua lakeside sauna and hot tub wellness experience with cold plunge.
Is Baysports a public or private company?
Baysports is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Baysports founded?
Baysports was founded in 1985. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Baysports based?
Baysports is headquartered in Athlone, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does Baysports make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Waterpark Admission Tickets are the primary driver. The others are bayPass Season Pass, boat Tours, water Activity Rentals, sauNua Sauna and Hot Tub Sessions, food and Beverage (BayCafé), retail Merchandise and school Tour Packages.
Who are Baysports's main competitors?
Others on record are Sailing Ireland and Hodson Bay Hotel. Direct peers are The Lagoon Activity Centre, Gosford Lakes Aqua Park, Liquid Leisure, Lakeside Aqua Park, Killary Adventure Centre, Forest Adventure Ireland and Lough Erne Waterpark. Center Parcs UK & Ireland is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Baysports have an API?
No public API is recorded for Baysports.
What industry is Baysports in?
Baysports's product category is Outdoor Adventure Tourism / Inflatable Waterpark Attraction. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAABAA, Outdoor Water Parks (Wave Pools, Lazy Rivers, Slides), with a secondary code of THAJAJAN, Hot Springs, Lagoons & Water-Based Wellness (Thermal Pools, Floating Spas). Its NAICS code is 48721 and its SIC code is 7900.