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The Maharees, Co. Kerry

The Maharees islands are situated approximately 30km from Tralee on the tip of the isthmus which divides Tralee and Brandon Bays.

The nearest launching point is from the slip at Scraggane Pier to the North of Castlegregory off the L68 Tralee to Dingle road. Launching a boat presents no problems as there is a wide gradually sloped slipway. There are also toilet facilities and ample parking. the Maharees consist of 7 islands in all and they offer completely different diving depths from 3m to 40m, all within 20 min of the pier.

Inishtooskert
To the left from the pier is Illaunimmil and 50m behind it is another island - Inishtooskert, which is not visible from the shore. To the NE of Inishtooskert is the wreck of a Spanish trawler, in 10m of water, which is marked by a buoy.

A. Starting here, follow the contours of the island in a Northerly direction where the depth increases to 20m. This brings you to an area of large overhanging rocks worn away by the currents. This is a photographers paradise, with yellow, brown and green breadcrumb sponge, sea anenomes which look like a field of daisies - crayfish, lobster, flatbacks, pollack and wrasse in abundance. The journey here takes about 10 minutes by boat. On the 3rd and 4th hours of the tide there is a good current, so it is preferable to dive only during slack water.

B. There is a very nice dive about 200m from the NE tip of Inishtooskert when lining up the Southerly tip of Illaunimmil. This area offers acres of gullies, approximately 3m wide, 5m high in 25m of water. The number of Dogfish in this area is unbelievable. The local fishermen sell the dark red spider crabs to the Spanish trawlers which call about three times during the Summer.

On the way back from these dives, one can visit Illauntannig, which has a monastic settlement including oratories and stone huts, surrounded by a large stone wall.
An indication of the different diving in the area are these two dives within 200m of one another yet they are so different. During the winter months, these islands get the full force of the Atlantic gales which have a sand paper effect on the South Westerly sides of the islands, leaving very little, if any growth, but still an abundance of life. However, on the Easterly sides of the islands there are forests of kelp.

Gurrig Island
About 2.5km to the SW of the pier is Gurrig Island. At the NE tip of the island there is a large rock about 6m from the shore. Using this as a starting point descend between the island and the rock. This brings you through a gully 9m deep to an area thronged with Lamargh Sea Urchins and walls of Anenomes. Again, follow the contours of the island in a Northerly direction where the depth increases to 20m. About 5 min from the starting point you will come to a number of flat rocks, here change your direction to North West. This will bring you to a plateau of stunning rock formation, sculptured by years of erosion.

Deelick Point
From Scraggane Pier by boat to Deelick point takes 25 minutes. This area offers superb diving. One could fill a book describing it, - sheer walls 20m high in 30m of water. In summer it is quite common to see shoals of mackerel swimming on the surface in and out of the shallow caves. Rose coral can be found below 20m - please leave it there!!!

Mahony's Bank's
The pinnacle of one's diving on the islands is a dive on Mahony's Bank's. These banks are 3.2km due North of Brandon Point. This dive requires a trawler with a depth sounder, local knowledge, excellent planning, slack tides and experienced divers. The sea bottom is at 65m and the top of the Banks are at 28m. The local fishermen do not fish here, because there is a wreck and their nets and pots could foul. About 20 years ago an ore boat, the "Lola", coming from Foynes sank here. The Tralee SAC have located it with the help of the local fishermen. Basking and Blue Shark are common during the Summer months.