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South Cork

Around the Cork area there are numerous diving sites, both boat and shore. The Cork Harbour area has interesting dives which lie some miles off the coast and require local knowledge to avail of these particular areas.

South Cork Dive Sites

1. The Celtic
The Celtic lies Roche's Point and can be located by boat some 15min from Crosshaven. Crosshaven is well equipped to handle boats having both a marina and a good slip. Local knowledge is required to locate the wreck. The wreck can be affected by a strong Easterly current, therefore slack water is essential.

2. Robert's Cove
Robert's Cove is situated on the Southern approach to Cork Harbour off the L67 Kinsale to Carrigaline road and is mainly shore diving. Park opposite Robert's Cove Inn on the road and work your way along the cliff, access to be found at the side of a boat house. At the entrance to the cove you can access the water's edge. Snorkel the width of the cove, and dive in about 6m of water working due South out to the Eastern headland.

Boat diving may also be undertaken from Robert's Cove. The Daunt Rock is 5km offshore and well worth a visit but it is very exposed and subject to a strong Easterly current so diving at slack water is essential. The bottom at 30m+ is rough with broken rock and many brittle starfish.

3. Man-of-War Cove
About 4km South of Robert's Cove is Man-of-War Cove. From Robert's Cove take the road to Nohaval. at the first cross-roads turn left and continue for about 1km (through private lands) and work your way down to the cove. the roadway is narrow and little room for parking.
Dive South along the rocks, expect a depth of 10-12m. the bay is so named because a warship was wrecked there - the "Zorro".

4. Nohaval Cove
Nohaval Cove is a shore dive, a car may be taken down to the site, but there is no access for boats. work out of the cove and head East. Again expect a depth of 10-15m .

Oysterhaven

Oysterhaven has plenty of choices. There is a good slip, which is ideal, for launching boats. Oysterhaven is also a very good venue for shore diving, with easy access to the water.

5. Ling Rocks
The Ling Rocks are some 9km South-South East of Oysterhaven. This dive will require local knowledge, as it consists of a series of peaks which have to be seen to be believed and the minimum depth is 26m.

6. Sovereign Islands
These islands are much closer inshore and the remains of a Dutch trawler lie on the South side of the big Sovereign. The small Sovereign has a grotto which is located at the Eastern end. This takes some finding, but once found it makes for a sweet dive. One can swim from one end and out the other. Around the Sovereigns depths are approximately 12-15m.

7. Ballymaccus Bay
Ballymaccus Bay is directly opposite the slip in Oysterhaven and makes for a good, safe dive, if you want a shallow night dive. There is plenty of life to be seen here.

Kinsale

Kinsale has a marina and a good slip for launching boats. The choices here are almost too numerous to mention, but here are some ones. After diving, it must be mentioned that Kinsale is the gourmet capital of Ireland with many first class restaurants to choose from.

8. Charles Fort
On the North side of Kinsale Harbour, near the Youth Hostel, is Charles Fort. the route is well signposted with plenty of parking. A good shore dive

9. Sandy Cove Island
Head out of Kinsale Harbour and turn to starboard and head for Sandy Cove Island. There are plenty of gullies to move in and out of which run in a South easterly direction with a maximum depth of 15m. Sandy Cove can also be used for shore diving with easy access by car.

10. Black Head
From Kinsale take the road for the Old Head of Kinsale. After approximately 8km, pass through Lispatrick and take the first road to the left. This leads to Black Head. A reef heading South East from the shore makes for a good shore dive with a maximum depth of 25m. It has good sea life and is sheltered from the prevailing winds.

11. Bream Rock
Continue on to the Speckled Door Pub at Garretstown, where a boat can be launched, for a dive on Bream Rock on the Eastern side of the Old Head of Kinsale. Watch the tides when diving the Rock. Always dive on a slack or flooding tide or - "Hello America!". SMB's are essential.

12. Holeopen Bay West
This is an exciting dive! Have a flooding tide, a Westerly wind and shoot through the hole and find yourself in Holeopen Bay East, the other side of Kinsale Head. This dive varies in depth 2-12m in the middle, but a lot of fun

13. The "Stonewall Jackson"
North from the Speckled Door and off the Red Strand the wreck of the Stonewall Jackson is supposed to lie. As it has not been found, there's a quest! This area may also be accessed from Kinsale. Depths around 12m on a mixed bottom.

Seven Heads

Seven Heads is interesting as the Cardiff Hall was wrecked there. Take the L42 West from Kinsale and turn off (South) at Timoleague for Barryshall.

Access can be made at Dunworly Bay where there is a tidal slip and a 4 wheel drive is advisable. This site is also a shore dive but should only be undertaken by the fit, as there is climbing and equipment carrying to be done, before gaining access to the water. Nevertheless a pleasurable dive with depths of about 12-15m.