Kilkee

Best months: Jul–Aug

Protected Area

Kilkee Reefs SAC

Why dive here

With 169+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and octopuses - Kilkee offers some of West Coast's richest cave diving. Water ranges 8-17°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Aug

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Octopuses · 169+ species recorded

Water8-17°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterCave dive · max 5-25m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Kilkee always feels like a proper adventure. You’re gearing up on the promenade, the bracing Atlantic air hitting your face, and then it’s a short walk into the water. We love the easy shore entry, straight into the shelter of the bay, where the main event is the elaborate cave system. It's not deep, typically 5 to 25 metres, but it’s an intermediate dive because some of those passages can get a bit tight, especially if there's a surge. Inside the caves, it's a world of jewel anemones, glowing orange and pink against the dark rock. Keep an eye out for dogfish tucked into crevices and the occasional pollock cruising by. Our favourite time to dive Kilkee is on a calm, sunny day; the light filtering through the arches is just incredible, illuminating the bladder wrack and oarweed in the shallows. It's a dive that rewards slow exploration, perfect for divers who enjoy poking around and discovering creatures like the shy solenette or a surprisingly large anglerfish.