🇮🇷Snorkeling, Freediving, and Scuba in Ireland

Celtic Sea

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Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland

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Irish Sea and St. George's Channel

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North Atlantic Ocean

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Northern European Seas

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Celtic Seas

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Alain Dominique Wreck

The Alain Dominique Wreck is located in waters ranging from 12 to 16 meters deep, depending on tidal conditions. This wreck, which sank in the mid-1990s, is marked by a green buoy at the surface, making it easy to locate. It is recommended to dive this site during slack water to minimize drift. The wreck is covered in various marine flora and is home to a diverse array of marine life, including wrasse, spider crabs, brown crabs, and lobsters.

53.2529, -9.6332

Back of Lime Rock

Back of Lime Rock is accessible via a short boat ride of 5-10 minutes from Quilty pier. The dive site features a wall that resembles a bowl, with depths ranging from 10 meters to 35 meters. Divers can explore the wall while keeping it on their left side. The marine life here includes lobsters, crayfish, brown and spider crabs, Conger eels, sponges, and stonefish wrasse pollock.

52.8246, -9.5056

Biraghty Mor

Biraghty Mor is accessible via a 10-minute boat ride to a rocky outcrop located between Donegal Point and Kilkee Bay. Divers can perform a free descent to a depth of 30 meters, where they will encounter a boulder field rich in crevices and hiding spots. This site features a prominent wall that extends to the surface. Marine life includes various fish species such as wrasse, pollock, flatfish, and occasionally John Dory. The wall is also home to diverse invertebrate life, including sponges and anemones.

52.7084, -9.6537

Bridges of Ross

Bridges of Ross is a shore dive characterized by notable geological features. Divers should swim out on the surface for approximately half the distance across the bay before descending to around 12 meters. Keeping the wall on the right side, divers will encounter a crack in the wall after about 15-20 minutes of diving, which leads to the underwater bridges. The site is rich in marine life, including lobsters, crabs, dogfish, conger eels, wrasse, pollock, as well as various species of anemones and deadman’s fingers.

52.5910, -9.8663

Céibh an Dóilín

Céibh an Dóilín is a small, sheltered pier located just north of Trá an Doilín. This dive site is suitable for training, especially in adverse weather conditions, as it is protected from all sides. It is important to note that the site can become dry at low tide. The depth ranges from 5 to 10 meters during high tide, making it a relatively shallow dive. While marine life is somewhat limited due to the sheltered nature of the site, divers may encounter kelp forests, crabs, and occasionally sprat.

53.2523, -9.6295

Chimney Bay

Chimney Bay is situated on the far side of George's Head, featuring a kelp-covered environment that ranges in depth from 5 meters to 30 meters. The site has a gentle slope and is home to a diverse array of marine life, particularly around the boulders cloaked in kelp, making it suitable for divers of all skill levels. Its sheltered characteristics allow for diving in a variety of sea conditions. Marine life includes various invertebrates such as anemones, nudibranchs, crabs, and lobsters, as well as fish species like wrasse, pollock, dogfish, and flatfish. Occasionally, divers may also encounter stray golf balls in the area.

52.6969, -9.6514

Donegal Point

Donegal Point features a tranquil kelp forest beginning at a depth of 7 meters. Divers can explore a wall that descends to a maximum depth of 30 meters, where diverse marine life inhabits the crevices and overhangs. The dive includes a passage through a spacious cavern, leading back to the starting point near the anchored boat. The area is rich in invertebrate species such as crabs, lobsters, anemones, sponges, sea fans, and nudibranchs. Fish species commonly observed include wrasse, pollock, butterfish, and gurnards.

52.7285, -9.6311

East of Grey Rock

Located 100 meters east of Grey Rock, this dive site features a vertical drop to depths of 27 to 28 meters. The wall offers diverse marine life, including brown crabs, spider crabs, various wrasse species, and sea squirts. Divers may also encounter nudibranchs at this site, making it suitable for mid-range diving.

53.3161, -9.6713

Grey Rock

Grey Rock is located a short boat ride from Annaghvaan pier and features an area characterized by uncharted rocks and strong tidal currents, necessitating local knowledge for safe navigation. The dive site ranges in depth from 15 meters to 40 meters, showcasing a vertical wall that hosts a variety of marine life. Notably, divers can observe large populations of sea squirts along the wall, as well as spider crabs and lobsters inhabiting the area.

53.3153, -9.6746

Gurraig Sound

Gurraig Sound offers a drift dive experience where divers can enter at either end based on tidal conditions. The dive typically occurs along a stony seabed at depths ranging from 15 to 20 meters. To minimize exposure to current, divers are advised to stay close to the north wall. Marine life includes various species of crabs and fish, with the possibility of encountering seasquirts. Near the conclusion of the dive, a boulder field can be found at approximately 18 meters.

53.3154, -9.6650

Illaunabaha

Illaunabaha is a reef dive located a short boat ride north of Kilkee Bay. The dive site features an east-facing reef that begins at a depth of 12 meters, with two distinct slopes leading downwards—one reaching depths of 18-20 meters and the other descending to a rock field at 25-30 meters. Divers can observe a variety of marine life, including crustaceans such as brown crabs, spider crabs, and lobsters, which can be found under rocks and within crevices. The reef walls are populated with various corals, sponges, and anemones, making it a rich environment for underwater exploration.

52.7049, -9.6518

Middle Rock

Middle Rock is located approximately 5-10 minutes by boat from Kilkee pier. The dive site features a depth range from 5 meters to 45 meters, providing various underwater topographies including numerous swim-throughs and small caverns. Marine life is abundant, with sightings of brown crabs, spider crabs, lobsters, pollock, and wrasse. The walls of the site are adorned with sponges and anemones, contributing to the diverse ecosystem.

52.6886, -9.6663

Newfie

Newfie is a nursery reef characterized by a sandy runway that begins at a depth of 2 meters and leads to a rocky reef covered in kelp. The maximum depth at this site is 10 meters. It is situated in a location that offers protection from surrounding headlands during low tide, allowing for diving in various sea conditions. Common marine life includes both common and snake pipefish, along with various species of wrasse, dab, plaice, and other flatfish.

52.6826, -9.6602

Outer Rock

Outer Rock is located approximately 5-10 minutes by boat from Kilkee pier, featuring depths that range from 5 meters to 45 meters. Divers can explore both Outer Rock and Middle Rock during a single dive, as they are connected underwater at around 30 meters. The site is populated with various marine life, including brown crabs, spider crabs, lobsters, pollock, and wrasse. The underwater walls are adorned with sponges and anemones.

52.6888, -9.6683

Poll na bPéist; The Wormhole

Poll na bPéist, also known as The Wormhole, is a dive site characterized by its unique underwater features, including swim-throughs and vertical walls that reach depths of 24 meters. The site is rich in marine life, with sightings of Basking Sharks, Common and Bottlenose Dolphins, Seals, Bull Huss, Dogfish, Crayfish, and Lobsters, as well as various species of Wrasse and Pollack. Divers can access this site from the shore, making it a convenient location for exploration.

53.1210, -9.7554

Portroe Quarry

Portroe Quarry is an artificial dive site with depths ranging from 6 meters to 40 meters. It offers good visibility, typically exceeding 10 meters, making it suitable for both scuba and free diving throughout the year. The site features various underwater attractions, including vehicles, boats, mirrors, and even a bar. While marine life is limited, there are occasional introductions of species, which can vary the experience for divers.

52.8612, -8.3583

Sandycove

Sandycove is a shallow dive site characterized by a sandy bottom, with depths ranging from approximately 1 meter near the slip to 10 meters further out. The site is generally sheltered from most wind directions and experiences minimal tidal movement, except during significant spring tides. Divers can observe a variety of small marine life, including sand eels, crabs, hermit crabs, and various small fish. Closer to the pier, the presence of weed supports an abundance of micro life, enhancing the biodiversity of the area.

51.6759, -8.5161

Santos (Wreck)

The Santos wreck is a century-old dredger located at a depth of approximately 30 meters. The wreck is significantly broken up, showcasing features such as dredger buckets, gears, and the engine. It is advisable to dive this site during slack tide for optimal conditions. The wreck serves as a habitat for various marine life, including large conger eels that can often be found swimming around or hiding under the wreckage. Additionally, divers may encounter numerous lobsters and crayfish in the area.

51.7207, -8.1321

The Chicago

The Chicago is a century-old liner that has come to rest on rocky terrain, lying at depths ranging from 9 to 20 meters. The wreck is significantly broken up, offering divers the opportunity to explore various swim-throughs. Notable features include the visible boiler engine and prop shaft. The area surrounding the wreck is home to diverse marine life, including species such as pollock, conger, and lobster. Additionally, divers may encounter playful seals that are known to interact with fins.

51.6086, -8.5448

The Pinnacle

The Pinnacle is characterized by a triangular rock formation that rises from a depth of 40 meters to just 5 meters. Divers can begin their exploration at the maximum depth and navigate around the structure, which provides an ideal location for a safety stop at the top. The walls of the pinnacle are adorned with various marine life, including anemones, sea fans, and sponges. Common fish species found in this area include pollock, wrasse, gurnards, blennies, and John Dory.

52.6825, -9.6870

Tony's Crack

Tony's Crack is an underwater canyon situated close to the diamond rocks, with a maximum depth of 18 meters and an average depth of around 15 meters throughout most of the dive. The canyon walls are rich in marine life, featuring numerous nooks and crannies to explore. Divers can observe a variety of species, including nudibranchs, candy-striped worms, sponges, anemones, cuckoo wrasse, and tompot blennies. The upper section of the crack is adorned with kelp forests, providing an ideal location for safety stops.

52.6813, -9.6752

Trá an Dóilín

Trá an Dóilín, also known as Coral Beach, is one of only two maerl beaches in Ireland. The dive site offers depth variations between 2 meters and 7 meters, making it suitable for confined water dives. Night dives here present a different experience, recommended for divers with some level of experience. The marine life at Dóilín is diverse, including molluscs, cephalopods, various fish such as Pollock and Wrasse, as well as Blenny, Dogfish, and Crayfish. Other species include Conger, Spider crab, Brown crab, Nudibranchs, Octopus, Cuttlefish, lobster, John Dory, and jellyfish.

53.2487, -9.6292

Trá na Reilige

Trá na Reilige is a shore dive located on the Carraroe side of Costelloe Bay. The dive site is best explored during high water and features depths ranging from 8 meters to 12 meters. The area is rich in marine life, including brown crabs and spider crabs, making it an interesting spot for divers and snorkelers alike.

53.2496, -9.5791

Trabaan Pier

Trabaan Pier is a working pier characterized by boulder walls on either side and a small south-facing entrance. The main area features a muddy bottom, with a small substrate section at the top end, making it suitable for skill practice without disturbing sediment. During spring tides, depths can reach 6 to 7 meters, while average depths range from 3 to 5 meters. Outside the pier's mouth, divers can find rocky patches and areas of seagrass that support a variety of marine life, including crabs and lobsters.

53.2295, -9.6525

UC42 Cork

The UC42 Cork is a World War I submarine wreck located at a depth of approximately 28 meters. The wreck is notable for its conning tower, propellers, and torpedo tubes. It is recommended to dive this site during slack water conditions. As a war grave, it is important to treat the site with respect. Marine life around the wreck includes large conger eels, lobsters, and various fish species such as bib, cod, and pollock.

51.7391, -8.1911