Diving
Discover Ireland's underwater treasures
Ireland dives better than its reputation. The Atlantic keeps visibility high on the west and north coasts, and the seabed carries an unusual density of wrecks. The north coast alone holds losses from both world wars. Malin Head in Donegal is the deep-wreck destination, Hook Head in Wexford and Valentia in Kerry the more sheltered training water, and the Aran Islands the best of the reef and drift diving. The season runs May to October. Water temperature sits between roughly 9°C and 15°C, so a drysuit or a 7mm semi-dry is standard, and training is organised through clubs of the Irish Underwater Council (CFT).
57 clubs across 22 counties
Listed by Diving Ireland, reproduced as published. Pick a county to see them.
Where to go
Season: May – October · Suits: Beginner to Advanced
Malin Head
DonegalIreland's most northerly point and its best deep-wreck diving, including losses from both world wars. Advanced, tide-dependent, boat-only.
Hook Head
WexfordReefs, gullies and accessible shore dives on the south-east coast, with sheltered options when the Atlantic is unworkable.
Valentia Island
KerrySheltered water and good visibility, long used as training ground. A reliable base when the open coast is blown out.
Aran Islands
GalwayWalls, drop-offs and drift dives off Inis Mór in some of the clearest water on the west coast.
Diving by county
The 11 counties with named spots, accredited centres or registered trails behind them.
About diving in Ireland
Crystal-clear Atlantic waters, dramatic drop-offs, shipwrecks, and abundant marine life make Ireland a hidden gem for divers. From sheltered bays perfect for training to advanced drift dives off the western headlands.
Common questions
How cold is the water for diving in Ireland?
Roughly 9°C in spring to 15°C in late summer, and colder at depth. Most Irish divers use a drysuit year-round; a 7mm semi-dry is workable in high summer. Neither a 3mm nor a shortie wetsuit is enough.
Do I need a qualification to dive in Ireland?
Yes, for anything beyond a supervised try-dive. Training runs through clubs affiliated to the Irish Underwater Council (CFT), Ireland's recognised governing body for the sport, or through commercial schools teaching international systems.
What age can children start diving in Ireland?
There is no single Irish rule. CFT publishes no minimum age, so club training is set club by club and generally starts in the mid teens, with some clubs running junior snorkelling from younger. Commercial centres follow their training agency instead, and those numbers are firm: PADI allows a pool-only Bubblemaker session from 8, a Discover Scuba try-dive or a Junior Open Water course from 10, and full Open Water certification from 15. Junior certifications carry depth limits, 12m at ages 10 and 11 and 18m at 12 to 14, and the child dives with a professional or a certified parent.
Are there shipwrecks to dive in Ireland?
A great many, particularly along the north and north-west coast where both world wars left concentrations of losses. Many sit deep enough to need advanced or technical qualifications and are dived from charter boats rather than the shore.
When is the diving season in Ireland?
May to October, when visibility, sea state and daylight all line up. Sheltered sites are dived year-round by clubs, but the open Atlantic coast is largely a summer proposition.
Find a centre
No governing body publishes a provider list for diving, so we have no accredited centres to name. The full directory holds 76 adventure centres, many of them multi-sport.