Chimney Bay - West Coast
Chimney Bay is a straightforward shore dive on Ireland's west coast, perfect for beginners and those looking for a relaxed entry. You'll find a gradually sloping seabed, mostly sand and small rocks, down to about 18 meters. It’s a good spot to get comfortable with your gear and practice skills, often with opportunities to spot common local species like wrasse and gobies amongst the kelp. While not spectacular, it's reliable for a low-key dive when conditions are calm.
- Location
- West Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 52.696900, -9.651400
- Type
- pinnacle
- Maximum Depth
- 18m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Marine Protected Area: Kilkee Reefs SAC
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)
Nearby Dive Sites in West Coast
- Alain Dominique Wreck - 14m (wreck)
- ANGMERING - 5m (wreck)
- Aran Islands - 10-35m (wall)
- AROSA - 40m (wreck)
- Aughnish Drift (drift)
- Back of Lime Rock - 32m (wall)
- BARRISTER - 0m (wreck)
- Biraghty Mor - 33m
- Bridges of Ross - 19m (reef)
- Carraig Cois Ceim
- CARRAIG UNA - 0m (wreck)
- Coral Beach (reef)
- CRETEBOOM - 0m (wreck)
- C S PARNELL - 6m (wreck)
- Donegal Point - 21m (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Chimney Bay
- Dive Aran - SSI
- Kilkee Dive Centre - SSI
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.
Notable Species
- dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
- Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) - Reef Fish
- hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
- grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
- whiting (Merlangius merlangus) - Reef Fish
- Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
- megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) - Reef Fish
- Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
- Common dragonet (Callionymus lyra) - Reef Fish
- poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) - Reef Fish
- blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) - Reef Fish
- Boarfish (Capros aper) - Reef Fish
- Protestant (Clupea harengus) - Reef Fish
- lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
- Soldier (Chelidonichthys cuculus) - Reef Fish
- Angler (Lophius piscatorius) - Reef Fish
- dab (Limanda limanda) - Reef Fish
- Cape Shark (Squalus acanthias) - Sharks & Rays
- sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
- Bastard Sole (Microchirus variegatus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Chimney Bay
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