Fees · Country Guide
Ireland
Atlantic wrecks, kelp forests and island adventures on Ireland's wild coasts
Fees And Permits
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Fees You Can't Skip
- National tourism-entry levy or diver tag - No nationwide charge identified in checked sources
- Irish visitor visa, where required - Check the current consular fee for visa type
- Typical payment pattern: A separate nationwide tourism-entry levy and recreational diver-tag scheme were not identified in the official sources checked for this guide.
What people usually pay
A separate nationwide tourism-entry levy and recreational diver-tag scheme were not identified in the official sources checked for this guide. Travelers may still pay immigration visa fees where applicable, local training and charter costs, island ferry fares, and restricted-site permit or admission fees. Ireland has protected historic wrecks and nature reserves with permission requirements; do not assume a commercial charter fare includes those permissions. Confirm all current costs directly.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National tourism-entry levy or diver tag | No nationwide charge identified in checked sources Check current national and local rules | General visitors and recreational divers | Not applicable unless a new or site-specific fee is introduced | The reviewed authorities did not describe one general visitor levy or countrywide dive-tag system. This does not waive visa charges, commercial fees, heritage permissions or local protected-area restrictions. |
| Irish visitor visa, where required | Check the current consular fee for visa type Based on immigration permission | Visa-required non-exempt visitors | Irish Immigration Service Delivery | Ireland is not Schengen. Requirements vary by nationality; a visa is not proof of entry and does not cover UK/Northern Ireland without separate entitlement. |
| National Monuments Service protected-wreck dive licence | Fee and processing requirements to confirm Site and permission-specific | Divers entering protected wrecks and underwater heritage sites | Where to pay | Required even for recreational diving on protected wrecks, including wrecks over 100 years old. Apply in advance and follow licence conditions; additional research consents may be needed. |
| NPWS Lough Hyne diving permit | Check current permit terms directly with NPWS Quota and site-specific | Eligible divers at Lough Hyne Nature Reserve | Where to pay | Recreational diving is tightly limited, trainee diving prohibited and a minimum of 50 previous dives plus qualifying certification is expected. Some powered boats need permission; research applications have priority. |
| NPWS Glendalough Upper Lake permit | Check current permit terms directly with NPWS Season and hours restricted | Approved divers at Glendalough Upper Lake | Where to pay | The NPWS permit has strict October-May, time-of-day, party size and activity restrictions; snorkeling is prohibited there. Confirm current rules before planning. |
| Boat dive, guiding or training | Operator-specific quote in EUR Per session, course or charter | Scuba divers and trainees | Book with the operating local dive provider | Confirm in-water guide, cylinder and gas, kit, charter minimums, insurance requirements and weather-refund terms. A skipper-only charter is not automatically instruction. |
| Island ferries and heritage attractions | Fares vary by route, age and season Per crossing or admission | Topside travelers and island visitors | Current ferry or attraction operator | Inishbofin, Blasket, Sherkin and Cape Clear trips are booked separately from diving. Some sailings operate only in the visitor season. |
Fee
National tourism-entry levy or diver tag
Check current national and local rules
- Amount
- No nationwide charge identified in checked sources
- Applies to
- General visitors and recreational divers
- Where to pay
- Not applicable unless a new or site-specific fee is introduced
- Notes
The reviewed authorities did not describe one general visitor levy or countrywide dive-tag system. This does not waive visa charges, commercial fees, heritage permissions or local protected-area restrictions.
Irish visitor visa, where required
Based on immigration permission
- Amount
- Check the current consular fee for visa type
- Applies to
- Visa-required non-exempt visitors
- Where to pay
- Irish Immigration Service Delivery
- Notes
Ireland is not Schengen. Requirements vary by nationality; a visa is not proof of entry and does not cover UK/Northern Ireland without separate entitlement.
National Monuments Service protected-wreck dive licence
Site and permission-specific
- Amount
- Fee and processing requirements to confirm
- Applies to
- Divers entering protected wrecks and underwater heritage sites
- Where to pay
- Where to pay
- Notes
Required even for recreational diving on protected wrecks, including wrecks over 100 years old. Apply in advance and follow licence conditions; additional research consents may be needed.
NPWS Lough Hyne diving permit
Quota and site-specific
- Amount
- Check current permit terms directly with NPWS
- Applies to
- Eligible divers at Lough Hyne Nature Reserve
- Where to pay
- Where to pay
- Notes
Recreational diving is tightly limited, trainee diving prohibited and a minimum of 50 previous dives plus qualifying certification is expected. Some powered boats need permission; research applications have priority.
NPWS Glendalough Upper Lake permit
Season and hours restricted
- Amount
- Check current permit terms directly with NPWS
- Applies to
- Approved divers at Glendalough Upper Lake
- Where to pay
- Where to pay
- Notes
The NPWS permit has strict October-May, time-of-day, party size and activity restrictions; snorkeling is prohibited there. Confirm current rules before planning.
Boat dive, guiding or training
Per session, course or charter
- Amount
- Operator-specific quote in EUR
- Applies to
- Scuba divers and trainees
- Where to pay
- Book with the operating local dive provider
- Notes
Confirm in-water guide, cylinder and gas, kit, charter minimums, insurance requirements and weather-refund terms. A skipper-only charter is not automatically instruction.
Island ferries and heritage attractions
Per crossing or admission
- Amount
- Fares vary by route, age and season
- Applies to
- Topside travelers and island visitors
- Where to pay
- Current ferry or attraction operator
- Notes
Inishbofin, Blasket, Sherkin and Cape Clear trips are booked separately from diving. Some sailings operate only in the visitor season.