How many dive sites are in South Coast?

South Coast has 183 dive sites and 3 dive centres in Ireland.

Is diving in South Coast suitable for beginners?

South Coast has 4 intermediate, 2 beginner dive sites. With 2 beginner-friendly sites, it's a good option for new divers.

What marine life can you see in South Coast?

199 marine species have been recorded in South Coast's waters, including fish, corals, invertebrates, and marine mammals.

What is the water temperature in South Coast?

Water temperatures in South Coast range from 9°C in December to 9°C in December.

Diving in South Coast

Explore 183 dive sites in South Coast, Ireland. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in South Coast

The warmest water temperatures in South Coast occur in January, averaging 8.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 8.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 8.8°C (air: 7.0°C)
February: 8.8°C (air: 8.3°C)
March: 8.8°C (air: 8.1°C)
April: 8.8°C (air: 9.3°C)
May: 8.8°C (air: 11.8°C)
June: 8.8°C (air: 14.2°C)
July: 8.8°C (air: 15.6°C)
August: 8.8°C (air: 15.8°C)
September: 8.8°C (air: 14.6°C)
October: 8.8°C (air: 12.4°C)
November: 8.8°C (air: 9.9°C)
December: 8.8°C (air: 8.1°C)

Marine Life in South Coast

Home to 199 recorded species including 97 reef fish, 24 sharks & rays, 14 whales & dolphins, 14 other, 10 crabs & lobsters, 10 seagrass & algae.

Dive Site Difficulty in South Coast

South Coast has 2 beginner, 4 intermediate dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for South Coast

Based on average water temperature of 8.8°C.

Drysuit - water at 9°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in South Coast

Raven, The - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category IV)
Tralee Bay - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category IV)
Castlemaine Harbour - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category IV)
Bhaile Choitín - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category IV)
Baile Mhac Óda - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category IV)
Cuan Bhanú - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category IV)
Cuan Chorcai - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category IV)
Cuan Dhún Garbhán - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category IV)
Inner Galway Bay - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category IV)
Tramore Backstrand - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Sovereign Islands NHA - Natural Heritage Area (IUCN Category IV)
Illaunonearaun NHA - Natural Heritage Area (IUCN Category IV)
Keeragh Islands NHA - Natural Heritage Area (IUCN Category IV)
Ballymacoda (Clonpriest and Pillmore) SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Glengarriff Harbour and Woodland SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Clonakilty Bay SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Three Castle Head to Mizen Head SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Inishmore Island SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Ballinskelligs Bay and Inny Estuary SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Helvick Head SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Tramore Dunes and Backstrand SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Bannow Bay SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Saltee Islands SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Raven Point Nature Reserve SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Hook Head SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Slaney River Valley SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Barley Cove to Ballyrisode Point SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Great Island Channel SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Kilmuckridge-Tinnaberna Sandhills SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Kilpatrick Sandhills SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Kilkieran Bay and Islands SAC - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Ardmore Head SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Lower River Suir SAC - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Kenmare River SAC - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Long Bank SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
River Barrow and River Nore SAC - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Lower River Shannon SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Blasket Islands SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Farranamanagh Lough SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Carrowmore Dunes SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Magharee Islands SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Valencia Harbour/Portmagee Channel SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Kerry Head Shoal SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Kilkee Reefs SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Carnsore Point SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Reen Point Shingle SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Saltee Islands SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Puffin Island SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Cliffs of Moher SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Skelligs SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Blasket Islands SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
The Raven SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Ballyteige Burrow SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Old Head of Kinsale SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Ballycotton Bay SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Ballymacoda Bay SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Tramore Back Strand SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Blackwater Estuary SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Castlemaine Harbour SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Cork Harbour SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Inner Galway Bay SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Dungarvan Harbour SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Bannow Bay SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
The Bull and The Cow Rocks SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Wexford Harbour and Slobs SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Clonakilty Bay SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Illaunonearaun SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Keeragh Islands SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Loop Head SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Sovereign Islands SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Magharee Islands SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Inishmore SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Dingle Peninsula SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Iveragh Peninsula SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Deenish Island and Scariff Island SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Mid-Clare Coast SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Helvick Head to Ballyquin SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Courtmacsherry Bay SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Blasket IslandS - Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Galway Bay Complex - Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Kenmare River - Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Kilkieran Bay and Islands - Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Roaringwater Bay and Islands - Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Tralee Bay and Magharees Peninsula, West To Cloghane - Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Tramore Dunes and Backstrand - Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Tralee Bay Complex SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Blackwater Bank SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Galway Bay Complex SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Akeragh, Banna and Barrow Harbour SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Castlemaine Harbour SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Ballyteige Burrow SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Carrowmore Point to Spanish Point and Islands SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Courtmacsherry Estuary SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Black Head-Poulsallagh Complex SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Lough Hyne Nature Reserve and Environs SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Roaringwater Bay and Islands SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Buckroney-Brittas Dunes and Fen SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Tralee Bay and Magharees Peninsula, West to Cloghane SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Blackwater Estuary - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category IV)

Getting to South Coast - Nearest Airports

Cork International Airport (ORK), Cork - 7 km away, approx 23 min travel time
Shannon Airport (SNN), Shannon - 107 km away, approx 132 min travel time
Dublin Airport (DUB), Dublin - 235 km away, approx 271 min travel time