Diving in West Coast

Best Time to Dive in West Coast

The warmest water temperatures in West Coast occur in January, averaging 8.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 8.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

• January: 8.9°C (air: 7.2°C)
• February: 8.9°C (air: 8.0°C)
• March: 8.9°C (air: 8.0°C)
• April: 8.9°C (air: 9.8°C)
• May: 8.9°C (air: 12.0°C)
• June: 8.9°C (air: 14.2°C)
• July: 8.9°C (air: 15.2°C)
• August: 8.9°C (air: 15.9°C)
• September: 8.9°C (air: 14.8°C)
• October: 8.9°C (air: 12.4°C)
• November: 8.9°C (air: 10.3°C)
• December: 8.9°C (air: 8.1°C)

Marine Life in West Coast

Home to 183 recorded species including 86 reef fish, 20 sharks & rays, 15 whales & dolphins, 12 other, 10 seagrass & algae, 8 crabs & lobsters.

Dive Site Difficulty in West Coast

West Coast has 10 beginner, 6 intermediate, 1 advanced dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for West Coast

Based on average water temperature of 8.9°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 West Coast

• Tralee Bay - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category IV)
• Castlemaine Harbour - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category IV)
• Blacksod Bay and Broadhaven - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Cuan Chorcai - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category IV)
• Cummeen Strand - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category IV)
• Inner Galway Bay - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category IV)
• Killala Bay/Moy Estuary - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Inishduff NHA - Natural Heritage Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Roaninish NHA - Natural Heritage Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Illaunonearaun NHA - Natural Heritage Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Tullaghan Bay & Bog NHA - Natural Heritage Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Glengarriff Harbour and Woodland SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Aran Island (Donegal) Cliffs SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Donegal Bay (Murvagh) SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Durnesh Lough SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Rathlin O'Birne Island SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Slieve Tooey/Tormore Island/Loughros Beg Bay SAC - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• St. John's Point SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• West of Ardara/Maas Road SAC - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Inishmore Island SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Inishbofin and Inishshark SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Slyne Head Islands 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)
• Killala Bay/Moy Estuary SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Duvillaun Islands SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Inishkea Islands SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Lackan Saltmarsh and Kilcummin Head SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Cummeen Strand/Drumcliff Bay (Sligo Bay) SAC - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Great Island Channel SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Gweedore Bay and Islands SAC - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Termon Strand SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Cregduff Lough SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Dog's Bay SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Doogort Machair/Lough Doo SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Erris Head SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Streedagh Point Dunes SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Bellacragher Saltmarsh 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)
• 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)
• 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)
• Clare Island Cliffs 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)
• Kingstown Bay SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Achill Head SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Puffin Island SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Inishkea Islands SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Cliffs of Moher SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Blasket Islands SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Drumcliff Bay 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)
• Cummeen Strand SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Killala Bay/Moy Estuary SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Blacksod Bay/Broad Haven SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Inishmurray SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Stags of Broad Haven SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Illanmaster 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)
• Inishglora and Inishkeeragh SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Termoncarragh Lake and Annagh Machair SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Duvillaun Islands SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Illaunonearaun SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Inishduff SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Inishkeel SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Loop Head SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Rathlin O'Birne Island SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Roaninish SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Magharee Islands SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Ballysadare Bay SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Illancrone and Inishkeeragh SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Aughris Head SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Ardboline Island and Horse Island SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Clare Island SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• High Island, Inishshark and Davillaun SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Donegal Bay 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)
• Cruagh Island SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Bills Rocks SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Mid-Clare Coast SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Cross Lough (Killadoon) SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Illaunnanoon SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Blasket IslandS - Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Cummeen Strand/Drumcliff Bay (Sligo Bay) - 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)
• Kingstown Bay - Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Mullet/Blacksod Bay Complex - Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Tralee Bay and Magharees Peninsula, West To Cloghane - Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Slyne Head to Ardmore Point Islands SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Tralee Bay Complex SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• West Donegal Islands SPA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• West Connacht Coast SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Slieve League 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)
• Carrowmore Point to Spanish Point and Islands SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Aughrusbeg Machair and Lake SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Omey Island Machair 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)
• Mullet/Blacksod Bay Complex SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Broadhaven Bay SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Cross Lough (Killadoon) SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Ballysadare Bay SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Bunduff Lough and Machair/Trawalua/Mullaghmore SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Rusheenduff Lough SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Clew Bay Complex SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Lough Cahasy, Lough Baun and Roonah Lough 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)
• Slyne Head Peninsula SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Rutland Island and Sound SAC - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)

Getting to West Coast - Nearest Airports

• Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC), Charlestown - 65 km away, approx 86 min travel time
• Shannon Airport (SNN), Shannon - 96 km away, approx 120 min travel time
• Cork International Airport (ORK), Cork - 196 km away, approx 229 min travel time