County Cork
The coastline of Cork and all of southwest Ireland offer numerous diving opportunities.
Explore Ireland
Ireland offers a unique and captivating diving experience that is often overlooked in favor of more tropical destinations. The waters surrounding the Emerald Isle are teeming with life, including an array of colorful marine species such as seals, dolphins, and even basking sharks. Divers will find themselves exploring diverse underwater environments from the fascinating reefs and dramatic walls to mysterious shipwrecks, remnants of Ireland's rich maritime history. Each dive promises a new adventure, as tidal currents and weather conditions can transform the landscape beneath the waves. For those interested in different diving styles, Ireland provides ample opportunities for both shore and boat dives, with a few liveaboard options for the more adventurous. The country's unpredictable weather contributes to the thrill, as changing conditions can bring unexpected encounters with marine life. Dive sites like the Skellig Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offer not only stunning underwater scenery but also a glimpse into Ireland's cinematic wonder, having featured in the Star Wars series. Whether visiting for a day or embarking on an extended stay, divers will find Ireland's underwater world as enchanting as its legendary landscapes above.
Power Plug Type
G
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, DC, Cir, Plus
Tipping
10–12% / Service Staff / Tipping is becoming customary in restaurants, though not expected in pubs.
Currency
EUR
Dial Code
+353
Electricity
230V / 50Hz
Time
UTC+0, UTC+1
Places to explore
Courses and Events
Dive Centers
Dive Sites
Top Wildlife Sightings in Ireland
Ireland's marine life is rich and diverse, offering divers a chance to encounter a variety of species. Common reef fish include wrasse, pollock, and blennies, often seen near rocky outcrops. The waters off the west coast, especially around the Aran Islands, are teeming with life due to the Gulf Stream's warm influence.
Seasonal highlights include basking sharks, most commonly spotted from April to September, and leatherback turtles, which occasionally appear in summer. Rays, such as the common skate, can be encountered throughout the year, particularly in sandy areas. The likelihood of encountering these species depends on the season and location, with summer months offering the best opportunities for diverse sightings.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
274 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
13
M
26
J
46
J
87
A
72
S
28
O
1
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 7000
iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab
331 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
21
M
49
J
63
J
96
A
79
S
21
O
1
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock-_italo
Moon Jellyfish
177 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
12
J
52
J
76
A
33
S
3
O
0
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 2
k
Pollock
149 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
6
M
10
J
10
J
62
A
47
S
12
O
2
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 30
Shutterstock-s_a_j
Sand Eel
103 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
8
J
58
A
25
S
10
O
1
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 130
iStock-Christian von Mach
Pipefish
89 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
3
M
7
J
8
J
36
A
20
S
15
O
0
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 55
k
Lobster
59 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
1
M
1
J
3
J
26
A
12
S
15
O
0
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 190
Alamy-Water Frame
Conger Eel
49 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
11
J
13
A
17
S
7
O
0
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 35
Shutterstock-divedog
Trout
45 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
2
A
10
M
0
J
0
J
10
A
4
S
4
O
8
N
5
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 60
iStock-Global_Pics
Spiny Lobster
29 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
1
M
3
J
0
J
13
A
8
S
2
O
1
N
0
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 16
iStock-wrangel
Eel
22 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
6
A
0
S
0
O
7
N
4
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3400
Shutterstock-Shane Gross
Shrimp
20 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
4
J
2
J
3
A
5
S
6
O
0
N
0
D
0