1. Diamond
Rocks
On the southern side of Moore Bay, Kilkee are
'The Diamond Rocks'. From the land side these can be accessed by footpath
from the car park near 'The Pollack Holes'. The name comes from the quartz
in the rocks, which glisten in the sunshine. This dive is normally accessed
by boat and is located between Intrinsic Bay and Duggerna Rock. There is
a reef about 7-9m deep, which protects a deep, narrow gorge about 30m deep
between the reef and the shore. There is usually an abundance of
life in the gorge, as it is fairly inaccessible to fishermen etc. Also
the visibility is usually very good. The key to finding the gorge is to
enter the water very close to the shore, hence you need very calm conditions.
It's best to start at the northern end and follow the gorge, picking
whatever depth that suits you, all the way to the end, which opens
out into Intrinsic Bay. Out side the reef the bottom falls away to 40m
plus. Avoid this dive in any but the best of conditions. This is a fair
weather dive only. |
2. The Black
Rocks
Just at the mouth of Moore Bay (Kilkee), there
is a group of rocks known as the Black Rocks (Inner Rk., Middle Rk. and
Outer Rk.) |
3. Middle
Rock
This is probably the best dive in Kilkee. It
get's covered by the tide so it maybe a little difficult to find above
half tide. The scenery is superb on three of the four sides with steep
drop-off's. 40M is possible on the western side. The are many rock features
and ledges teeming with life. Visibility here is usually very good. It's
best to start at the southern side, gradually working your way north,
and then east. |
4. Outer
Rock
Not far outside Middle Rk lies Outer Rk. Like
Middle Rock this is covered by high tide but can be found by
the white water breaking over it. This is a fair weather dive, and there
is always a danger of swell. Similar to Middle Rk., there are deep drop-offs
with amazing scenery down to about 37M and then sloping off deeper.
This is a fair weather dive only. |
5. Illaunabaha
Just north of George's Hd. There is a headland
called Illaunabaha. It's more sheltered than the above dives but is still
quite exposed to anything from the west. A nice scenic dive with depths
of 25M/30M. |
6. Biraghty
Mór
About 1km North of Kilkee Bay this island is
worth a visit. With a sheer face on the landward side and sloped on the
sea face it is sheltered from the Westerly swells. It has a rock bottom
on a sheer face varying from 25m to 35+m with the ground away from the
rock very deep. The plant and fish life is excellent. The shelter of the
rock allows diving inside a large cave at it's SW corner. |
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