Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Ireland

The dive itself is shallow and the route we took being an average of 6 meters with two hours to go before high tide when we made our exit, there is a large amount of interest to be had for photographers using the natural light available especially in sunny conditions, the bay is inhabited by several types of tubeworm, decorator crab, sea squirts, hermit crabs are everywhere and we saw several dogfish and a thornback ray, plus if luck is on your side seals do make a frequent appearance. The site is good for photographers and all levels of divers with no hazards as far as we could see. Seal Harbour is a beautifully idyllic secluded bay which although does not have much depth has a lot going for it. It's not difficult to find being signposted off the main road about 4k from Glengarrif on the road to Castletownbere, having left the main road take the next turning right and a short distance down there you will see a small parking area shaded by an oak tree overlooking the stony beach, access to the shore is relatively easy by means of a short track onto the top of the rocks which are not difficult to traverse, the bay would be well sheltered in anything but a South/East through to South/West wind.

Alondra was a 2244 ton steamer that sank 29 december 1916 near Kedge Island. It's a very nice wreck with an abundance of marine life Kedge Island

The Illyrian was a 2967 ton steamer built in 1867. She sank in may 1884. It's an old and broken wreck. 1km East of South Harbour, on the E side of Clear Island. Illyrian wreck is also known as Lighthouse Wreck.

The U-260 is a 1070 ton VIIc-Class German Submarine. It sunk about four miles from Glandore village, 12 March 1945. Four miles from Glandore village, near Castletownshend.

Great dive site 10 different dives to different depth (Depth ranges from 20 to 30 meters) in summer months great fish life we love it and dive all year round. The seabed is rocky and sandy. There is an abundance of fish to see and also Cave dives. Above these dive sites are the Horn Head Cliffs, these cliffs are home to a variety of bird life including Puffins, Seagulls, and Cormorants. You will need to charter a boat from Downings to get there. This can be done through www.donegaldiving.com 5,5 nautical miles SW from Downings bay. Horn Head is also known as Horne Head.

South of Kilkee

Third cape north from Kilkee.

George's head is located at the mouth of Kilkee (north side).

big time drift dive...has to be experienced to be believed Easy access - 2 minute walk from parking site into water

Sick mans rock is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Ireland, Munster, Kerry which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

dive starts off in shallow cave. descends to gully (12-20m) then wall to 30m. mixture of strata on bottom - starts off rocky, then kelpy in gully followed by mud at 30m. Walk from car park by pier along rough track to cave entrance (rocky shore). much easier to access at high tide. Smugglers Cave is also known as Cuas.

amazing site with tons of life. hard to find but worth the search. The dive itself is between the cliff face and the innermost pinnacle. There's just about enough room to drive a small rib through (don't try and turn around though...) very swell dependant.....if the sea isn't flat calm then its a bad idea

Myles Creek is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Ireland, Munster, Clare, Kilkee which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

It is outstanding spot to meet four really big Conger' Eals. They are quite friendly and use to play with divers. Thy will be happy when you bring some tuna with you. Connemara, Ireand. Site can be accessed only from the boat. You can use local Scuba Dive West dive centre or in you have your own rib you can easy launch it from Reosroe Pier slip.

It is old slate quarry. Unfortunately main gate is closed so you will have to park car by the road, gear up and take 5-min walk.

The best course is to proceed over Kelp 30 degrees West of North towards the inner face of Duggerna Head. There is a rock reef on a sandy bottom and a maximum depth of 10 metres. Near the car park on the South side of the bay, down step steps, Newfee is the most sheltered of all Kilkee dive sites and is usually accessible in all but the worst conditions. It is ideal for inexperienced divers. Newfee is also known as New Found Out.

Nothing really exciting. Just another place to dive if have no place to go an you are around. Good spot for practise with not experience divers.

It is really nice spot for practice and training. There is no mud on the bottom and big part of bottom of this lake is covered by small kind of water grass. Nice viz. Lough Rea is also known as Loughrea.

Fastnet Rock is a small clay-slate island with quartz veins and the most southerly point of Ireland, 6.5 km southwest of Cape Clear Island in County Cork, which is itself 13 km (8 miles) from the mainland. It lies in the Atlantic Ocean 11.3 km south of mainland County Cork, at latitude 51.37°N.[1] It rises to about 30 m above low water mark. Divided into Fastnet Rock proper and the much smaller Little Fastnet to the south by a 10 m (30 ft) wide channel, it also had the nickname 'Ireland's Teardrop' as it was the last part of the country seen by Irish emigrants to the United States in the 19th century as they sailed past it. The Fastnet Rock is used as the midpoint of one of the world's classic offshore yachting races, the Fastnet Race, a 979 km (608 mile) round trip from Cowes, UK round the rock and back to Plymouth. It is also used occasionally as a mark for yacht races from local sailing centres such as Schull and Baltimore. Source:Wikipedia.org Fastnet Rock is also known as Fastnet Rock Lighthouse.

A nice leisurely dive with plenty of species to see. There is a conger down there as well. Handy parking and you can watch dolphins and purposes further out. Be careful on entry and exit as it is very tidal. From car park at lighthouse walk straight down onto rock plateau. Enter when tide is just on the turn keep left and follow underwater channel.

small island that has a resident seal population. lots of swim throughs, arches, small caves and gullies. outstanding dive (on a good day....)

The Tunnel is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Ireland, Munster, Kerry which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Illaunloo is also known as Loo rock.

Sheltered wall with abundant life.....good spot for dolphins as well

Carraig Cois Ceim is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Ireland, Connaught, Mayo which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

http://www.irishwrecksonline.net/details/MartinHMS621.htm

http://www.irishwrecksonline.net/details/StephenWhitney704.htm

http://www.irishwrecksonline.net/details/Nestorian641.htm

M.V. Bardini Reefer Wreck is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Ireland, Munster, Cork, Kenmare which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

http://www.irishwrecksonline.net/details/Mystique638.htm

Pier Dive, In Low water there is a Confined Pier with depths water from 2-6m Deep Water up to 12m. Excellent Night Dive. Diveable is all but the most horrific conditions. Park on Pier A boat can also be launched from here to some excellent local diving. Fresh Water available post Dive. Portnablagh is also known as Portnablagh Pier.

St John's point. NW of Ireland.

SM UC-42 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 20 November 1915 and was launched on 21 September 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 18 November 1916 as SM UC-42. UC-42 sailed on her last patrol on 1 September 1917. On 31 October 1917 Torpedo Boat TB 055 was accompanying minesweepers operating at the entrance to Cork harbour. At 1500 hours an oil track was seen floating on the surface of the water. Following it to its source, TB 055 used its hydrophone to see if the oil was coming from a submarine. Loud mechanical sounds, of "hammering" and "turbine-like noises" were reported and, believing this to be a U-boat, a marker buoy was dropped, followed shortly after by a depth charge. Following detonation of the charge, TB 055 returned to the area and found that the volume of floating oil had increased, and there were bubbles rising to the surface. TB 055 signalled the nearby armed minesweeper HMT Sarba for assistance. Sarba used her hydrophone but detected no sounds from the presumed submarine. A second depth charge was dropped and Sarba remained on station overnight. The following morning HMD Sunshine and TB 058 swept around the spot, to confirm that the incident had not been a false alarm caused by old wreckage. On 2 November oil was still coming to the surface and dockyard drivers arrived to inspect the assumed wreck. The divers reported a German U-boat lying on the seabed with her stern blown off, and a brass plate on her conning tower reading "C42, 1916" identified her as UC-42. No survivors were ever reported even though some of the hatches were found to have been opened. It was thought likely that the submarine had been sunk by one of her own mines detonating under her stern while minelaying. When the sinking and identification of the submarine was reported, the British Admiralty requested an identifiable item from the vessel for verification purposes, and in December 1917 divers recovered the telephone buoy from the conning tower. The Royal Navy's Naval Intelligence Department were aware of submarine's 1 September departure date from Belgium and were sceptical about the hammering and engine noises reported by TB 055. The Admiralty reported that "The longest known cruise of a UC boat in home waters is 24 days, so UC42 must have been dead long before TB 055 and Sarba dropped the depth charges" The wreck was relocated on 6 November 2010 in 27 metres (89 ft) of water, just off Roche's Point, by a group of Irish, amateur divers. It was found with "little obvious explosive damage". A serial number stamped on its propeller allowed positive identification of the wreck. A plaque was placed by the boats stern and under International Maritime Law she is now a War Grave, untouchable and the responsibility of the Deutsche Marine. Source: wikipedia.org Out of Cork Harbour via Cork or Crosshaven.

This site is suitable for all levels of diver and can deliver some surprises in what can be seen insomuch as just about anything that can be found in Kenmare River will be likely to turn up here every so often and that includes dolphin, seals, cuttlefish and conger. We have done several dives here and there are no hazards as far as we could see. Although this site is close to land it is best reached by boat, we left from Kilmakilloge Harbour and the journey took us approximately 15 minutes the entry point is on the top of a kelp covered reef and heading South leads down to a sandy area where turning to the East you follow the reef on your left to a depth of 16+ meters, heading North after entry can achieve a dive of 30 + meters.

Killary Harbour, Rosroe Pier. You can reach the wreck site from the boat, r just take a 100m swim on th surface, and descent by the last grey boy.

The Kowloon Bridge was a 169,000 ton bulk carrier that sunk in november 1986. One of the biggest wreck of Europe (300 meters long) ! Stag Rocks. Approx 7 nautical miles from Baltimore.

http://www.irishwrecksonline.net/details/Malmanger618a.htm

The Pinnacle is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Ireland, Munster, Kerry which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

http://www.irishwrecksonline.net/details/Hourtien519a.htm

The dive starts off dropping down a semi vertical wall to max depth of about 24m depending on tide. lots of boulders to find things under. interesting little cave system in the area for those that know what they're doing. Short walk across about 150 meters of flat(ish) rock. some clambering down - not too difficult. Easier to access at high tide. Care needs to be taken entering and exiting if there is swell....the rocks are very sharp Doolin Point is also known as Doolin.

Current can be quite strong at the begin and end of tide. Carraroe. Easily accessed from he shore.

The Letterbox is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Ireland, Munster, Kerry which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Fantastic little site for night diving. whatever the conditions, vis is usually excellent. very varied selection of marine life from dolphins to nudibranchs. Slightly complicated finding it if you don't know where you're going - it's not signposted. drive west out of ballyvaughan for about 7 mins and its the second turn on your right.

Thumb Rock is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Ireland, Connaught, Sligo which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.