Fastnet Rock
Protected Area
Barley Cove to Ballyrisode Point SAC
Why dive here
With 185+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - Fastnet Rock offers some of South Coast's richest diving. Water ranges 9-15°C, warmest July, August, September.
Diving Fastnet Rock is a proper Irish adventure. You're out in open water, often with a bit of a swell, but the rock formations themselves offer some shelter and interesting swim-throughs. Keep an eye out for seals zipping past, and the occasional bigger fish cruising the deeper edges. It’s definitely one for experienced divers comfortable with variable conditions and a boat dive.
Safety Notes
Cold water this month (avg 14°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Fastnet Rock
Fastnet Rock Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Fastnet Rock, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (51.71, -8.38) (9km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
14°C
57°F · Range: 12.3–14.8°C
Air Temperature
12°C
54°F
Wind Speed
7.84 m/s
15.2 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1008.6 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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