Diving

DIVING IRELAND TOP DIVE SITES - WESTERN IRELAND




TOP DIVE SITES – WESTERN IRELAND

Aughinish – there is plenty to see in this area. The underwater topography is amazing – reef and beautiful rock formations. Another attraction is rich marine life – pollock, crabs, lobsters, congers, trigger fish, sponges and wrasses. The depth ranges from 10 to 20 m.
Location:
Type of dive: boat/shore dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Carraroe – there are numerous dive sites in this area. Divers can descend from the shore and admire reefs and beautiful rock formations. There is also plenty of marine life in this zone – crabs, lobsters, stingrays, wrasses, dogfish and flatfish.
Location: Connemeara, County Galway
Type of dive: shore dive
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Crabs Back – picturesque dive for experienced divers. The depth ranges from 15 to 30 m. The attractions in this zone include drop offs, cliffs, walls and boulders. All rocks are covered with anemones, sponges. There are also many crabs.
Location: Kilkee, County Clare
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Golam Head – this is a weather dependent dive because the site is very exposed. The attraction of this zone is a reef with abundant marine life. The maximum depth is 20 m.
Location: Lettermullan, County Galway
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Illaunabaha – great scenic dive. The depth ranges from 25 to 35 m. The site is exposed to strong currents.
Location: Kilkee, County Clare
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Inis Boffin – waters around this small island have a lot to offer. Underwater rock formations include walls, drop offs and towers. Sometimes seals can be seen in this area. Other marine species of this spot include wrasses, octopi and congers. The maximum depth is 50 m.
Location: near Connemeara, County Galway
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Inis Turk – these rocky underwater paradise comprise drop offs, vertical walls, caves, caverns and boulders. It is also the home for rich marine flora and fauna – corals, sponges, lobsters, crabs and wrasses. The maximum depth is 50 m.
Location: near Connemeara, County Galway
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Julia T – the wreck of an old supply ship lies at a depth of 25 m. The ship sank in 1998 and is covered in colourful anemones and sea urchins. Also congers and pollock can be found in this area. The maximum depth is 26 m.
Location: Killary Harbour, County Galway
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Killary Fjord – the only fjord in Ireland is 16 km long. Diving here is exciting and relatively easy because this site is well protected from currents. This zone is good for divers of all levels, even for technical divers. A great spot to meet conger eels. The maximum depth is 40 m.
Location: Killary Fjord, County Galway
Type of dive: shore/boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Middle Rock – one of the most popular dive sites in Kilkee. This zone is teeming with marine life. There are also some amazing rock formations – walls, arches, drop offs and swim throughs. The maximum depth is 40 m.
Location: Kilkee, County Clare
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand/rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Myles Creek – this is a nice, shallow and colourful dive for divers of all levels. The depth ranges from 18 to 20 m. There is a reef which is the home to lobsters, congers and starfish. Divers should beware of currents and it is recommended to dive there when the sea is calm.
Location: Kilkee, County Clare
Type of dive: shore dive
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water