Baltimore is definitely the first best dive site in Ireland. The carcass of the MV Kowloon Bridge draws thousands of divers to one of the most southern tips of the country. The 295m ship sank at Stag Rock in 1986 after developing deck cracking in one of its frames. Containing a full cargo of iron ore, caused significant environmental damage. Thankfully, nature fought back, and now, the wreck itself is host to extensive flora and fauna, as well as a variety of anemones and crustaceans including lobsters.

Remarkably, this assortment of living, breathing marine glory coexists with the iron ore, which is still clearly visible on the ocean floor. It is also fascinating to see how giant beams and metal structures have been reshaped by the ocean. Roaringwater Bay includes Carbery’s Hundred Isles, the islands that offer so much varied and sheltered diving. You have a range of diving here from shore for novices to the most demanding, as found at Fastnet Rock, around 12km out to sea.

Location: Co Cork, Ireland.

Brandon Bay is among the best dive sites in Ireland with the Gulf Stream keeping the water relatively warm regardless of the weather – always a plus! The Maharee Islands, also known as the Seven Hogs, are home to a pod of dolphins that are more than happy to swim with divers. Ilaunnabarnagh is a nearby island that has its own colony of seals that don’t mind humans coming in among them.

Brandon Cliff face is a popular diving spot in this area as are the sheer drops found off the Skellig Islands. Basking sharks, pilot whales, minke whales, huge tuna, and even larger sunfish also inhabit this unspoiled area. Coming to Brandon Bay, you will be immersed in the blue ocean, observe with your own eyes, and touch the colorful coral reefs and even swimming sea creatures. The ideal time to visit this place is from February to September.

Location: County Kerry, Ireland.

Killary Harbour is one of the best dive sites in Ireland and is a natural fjord and normally offers excellent visibility even at a maximum depth of around 45m, though most of the attractions are further up. The location is otherworldly with the Mweelrea Mountains in the north, and the Maum Turk Mountains and The Twelve Pins (also known as The Twelve Bens) providing a stunning backdrop to the south. They also supply the type of shelter conducive to winter diving. Dense kelp forests and abundant marine life abound, from conger eels, wrasse, lobsters, and pollock.

Diving activities are extremely developed in Killary Harbour, many visitors have experienced sharing that they must definitely participate in scuba diving activities here otherwise it will be extremely flawed. Dolphins and whales are not uncommon either. Grey seals come out to play late in the summer but you need to be alert as they have a propensity for biting fins!

Location: Co Galway, Ireland.

One of two Irish dive sites voted among Europe’s top 10, it gets its name from the quartz crystals that glisten when the sun shines on the rocks. Diamond Rocks is a famous biosphere and eco-tourism area not only in Ireland but also in the world. This place attracts tourists because it can be said that this is one of the most biologically diverse places in Ireland, possessing many coral reefs and rare marine life.

This dive has been compared favorably with the famous Yongala. The bay is sheltered from the Atlantic, which is always welcome. The landscape is all rocks and gullies, visibility is fabulous and that is tremendous news because there is life all around. In particular, the Duggerna Rock reef is mind-blowing, its cracks and crevices filled with invertebrates. Little wonder the bottlenose dolphins and seals appear so happy in this paradise.

Location: County Clare, Ireland

Clare Island is one of the best dive sites in Ireland. This area offers a wide variety of attractions. The Bills Rocks are always rewarding, especially at the north face of the most eastern rock, which plunges to almost 50m, ledges, cliffs, and splashes of astonishing color from the sea-anemone layering the rock face greeting you on the descent. Clare Island is a great destination if you want to see coral reefs with vibrant colors and explore the beautiful wonders under the sea.

Besides, scuba diving will help you learn more about fascinating and mysterious aquatic animals and plants. Mackerel, pollock, and wrasse are among the fish flourishing in the habitat. The Mweelauns, Deace’s Rock, and the hunt for a German WWII plane that according to local legend crashed into the sea at Two Fathom Rock but has never been found are other attractions.

Location: Co Mayo, Ireland.

Amazingly, one of Ireland’s top dive sites is only about 16 kilometers (10 miles) south of the capital of Dublin. Dalkey Island is a small, uninhabited island that is only accessible by boat – perfect for a day trip! With a long history dating back to the Stone Age, the only above-surface residents today are wild goats and lots of sea birds.

The remote setting of Dalkey Island enables a wonderful variety of marine life to flourish below the surface. Each side of the island offers different opportunities – from lush kelp forests to rocky reefs complete with ledges and boulders. Divers here are often delighted by invertebrates like anemones, sponges, crabs, lobsters, and brittle stars. Scorpionfish and dogfish are also regularly spotted. But certainly, no dive trip to Dalkey Island is complete without a visit from the local, very playful, grey seals. Diving is possible on all sides of the island, but strong rip tides and currents are ever-present and ever-changing here. Be sure to plan carefully before descending.

Location: Co Dublin, Ireland.

County Clare, on Ireland’s central west coast, is home to a magical dive site just off the small village of Fanore. For those that love shore diving, this is an ideal place. A spectacular rocky reef lies roughly 50 meters (165 feet) off the shore. The reef contains a myriad of nooks and crannies, caves, and semi-circular caverns. The approximate depth at Fanore is 15 meters (50 feet).

In combination with the warm Gulf Stream waters that flow directly to this region, the reef reveals an amazing variety of marine animals and plants. Plus, the visibility here is absolutely brilliant! To top it all off, dolphins frequent these waters – making this one of the most ideal locations in Ireland to dive with dolphins. Because of this, Fanore is also a popular freediving spot. And this dive site is suitable for those who have the PADI Freediver certification.

Location: County Clare, Ireland.

The Santo is one of the best dive sites in Ireland. It is more commonly known as The Santo was a 217-ton steam-powered, bucket dredger. Whilst on the maiden voyage from Scotland to Taiwan in December 1900, a gale made the captain change course and head for Cork Harbour. On Christmas Day, the sank with only 5 members of her crew being rescued. The Santo is now 28 meters below the surface (depending on the tide). The line of buckets can be seen resting on the seabed, connected to a large wheel.

The Santo has large holes in the boilers, which provide amazing peepholes that allow you to see what kind of marine life has made this incredible wreck their home. With the seabed being a mixture of rocks, reef, and sand gullies, it is the perfect place to see angler fish (monkfish) and behind every rock, you’ll find little critters. This dive is certainly a must if you’re planning a trip to Ireland.