Diving
Diving In Ireland
In recent years divers have discovered that diving in Ireland is comparable with the worlds best at a fraction of the cost. Many dive operators claim that they offer the best diving sites in Ireland - usually with the Irish propensity for exaggeration!! Suffice to say that the Skelligs is Irelands only internationally renowned site and divers travel from all over the world for this unique diving experience. In our research we have unearthed 93 articles in various publications dealing with diving in Ireland and in 91 of these the subject matter was the Skelligs!! These two sites are truly the jewel in the crown and a site rated by Horace Dobbs in his book "The 20 Classic Dive Sites of The World". You can expect sheer drop offs and walls encrusted with anemones together with copious quantities of life. The water temperature ranges from about 10°c in March to about 16°c in September when the water is at its warmest. Vis is about 8mtrs on bad days, about 15mtrs on normal days and up to 40mtrs on good days which would be for about 30% of the time!! Although we have experienced Vis of up to 100mtrs!! - Maybe it was something to do with El Nino!
It must be pointed out that while there is an abundance of life the taking of shellfish by divers is illegal in Ireland. Accordingly we will not permit shellfish to be taken on board.
Diving The Skelligs

The Skellig Islands are situated nine miles offshore and are an individual experience which words alone cannot describe such is the aura of the rock formations. At the summit of Skellig Michael which is accessed by climbing almost 600 steps, are the remains of a monastic settlement dating from the sixth century. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1996 and access is very strictly controlled and restricted.

Little Skellig is home to Europe's largest colony of gannets, estimated to be in excess of 60,000 birds. There are also thousands of other birds primarily puffins, manx shearwater, terns, etc. The islands are just over a mile apart and are home to approximately 200 seals
Below the water you will experience the clearest waters in Europe where visibility is seldom less than 15m and is often in excess of 30m! Hard and soft coral is plentiful but the most startling underwater experience is the sheer volume of life and the acres of every type of anenome resulting in spectacularly colourful diving. The rock formations above water continue below and dives range from a recently discovered pinnacle rising to within eight metres at its summit and dropping down almost as a sheer wall to 45m, to dives in the 15m to 25m range, to canyons, gullies and boulders. For photographers it is a dream come true! However photographers be warned - it is a condition of bringing cameras etc on board that you send us a copy of your photos!
Diving Ballinskelligs

Ballinskelligs is an amazing laid back area and this is reflected in your own operation. To give you time to recover from the attractions of the local pub we generally depart between 10am and 12noon daily and return at 5 - 6pm. We must respectfully suggest that those who wish to dive at 7 or 8am choose another centre - Ballinskelligs is not for you!!

Each day two dives are undertaken often without returning to port so two cylinders are required. We offer very competitive hire prices for those who do not wish to bring their own cylinders (see prices page). Most trips are full day trips for which there is no extra charge.
In general, apart from the pinnacles at the Skelligs, we will drop you in depths of 15 to 18 metres and it will slope off to about 40m so you stop at whatever depth you feel comfortable. For larger groups you will have a boat to yourselves. Smaller groups share with other divers or other visitors to the island.
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