West Cork and Baltimore

Before the Trip

• Confirm guide versus skipper-only service, recent logbook, certificates, full-boat requirement, emergency oxygen, communications, diver recall and rescue plan directly. Aquaventures dive terms are internally inconsistent on single seats.
• Request the exact dive site and maximum planned depth. U260 is an advanced deep wreck; Kowloon Bridge changes depth across broken structure; both have reported slack water conditions. Direct site descriptions.
• Monitor Met Eireann sea-area forecast, tide windows and likely surge. Do not treat apparent shelter in Roaringwater Bay as a promise of suitable current, entry or pickup.
• Use the agreed SMB/reel and proper exposure protection. Avoid wreck penetration, cave entry and decompression diving unless your team has appropriate technical training and support.
• Lough Hyne: obtain a personal NPWS permit, show qualifying experience and do not conduct trainee dives. Do not disturb, anchor or extract in the reserve. NPWS conditions.
• Historic wrecks: research age and designation; National Monuments Service requires a licence just to dive a protected wreck.
• For snorkeling or freediving check safe shore access, no-swim warnings and group supervision. Never freedive alone and never equate a wetsuit rental with a certified rescue service. Water Safety Ireland.

For suspected decompression illness, barotrauma or a serious diving accident, stop diving, call 112/999 for emergency medical response, supply oxygen if trained and available, and tell responders the dive profile and symptoms. Maritime incidents require asking for the Coast Guard; VHF channel 16 is the radio emergency channel. Irish Coast Guard. DAN Europe provides 24/7 specialist advice on +39 06 4211 5685 after emergency services are activated. Cork University Hospital ED is a verified regional emergency department, but this research did not establish a local hyperbaric chamber location, live capacity or transfer time; let emergency clinicians and DAN arrange the appropriate facility. Island medical evacuation may depend on conditions and Coast Guard dispatch. Do not promise immediate chamber access.

Reserves and Underwater Heritage

Roaringwater Bay and Islands SAC includes protected reef, sea-cave and marine mammal features. Lough Hyne is a quota-managed nature reserve with special dive and vessel conditions; consult its ranger before proposed activity. Ireland protects wrecks over 100 years and underwater archaeological objects; remove nothing and obtain licensing where required. National Monuments Service.

Wildlife Watching

Whales, seals, porpoises, dolphins and basking sharks have legal protection under the Wildlife Act. Ireland introduced a voluntary southwest marine wildlife watching code in March 2026 to discourage approach-related disturbance, including from boats and drones. Stay with operators who follow the code, keep appropriate distance, do not pursue or feed wildlife and do not offer an unsupported whale or seal swim. No animal encounter is guaranteed.

Swimming Water Quality

Check EPA notices for the named beach, particularly after rain. Some small coves lack a monitored bathing-water record; absence of a posted report is not proof of cleanliness.