Achill – The Bills Rocks
Site Overview
The Bills Rocks are remote offshore pinnacles beneath a gannet colony, with massive fish schools and advanced boat diving in strong current. Weather-dependent and exposed, they suit confident drysuit divers with a skilled skipper who can place you on the rocks at slack. For those who can handle it, the Bills offer thrilling, current-swept reef scenery and big life off Achill. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers.
Dive Briefing
"Brief on the pinnacle, current and DSMB. Drop onto the rock at slack, control buoyancy against the wall, and watch the fish schools. Ascend at the planned point with a safety stop and deploy the marker for the boat. Stay close to the skipper’s plan given the current and exposure. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point."
Signature Marine Life
Gannet
Morus bassanus
Best: Year-round
Pollack
Pollachius pollachius
Best: Year-round
Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Grey Seal
Halichoerus grypus
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Strong currents
- Big swell
- Cold water
- Exposure
- Remote pinnacles
- Fragile reef
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For advanced divers with strong buoyancy and current experience who want an exposed pinnacle dive. Not for inexperienced divers. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Bills Rocks Charters
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Ashford Castle
Cong • 15km away
Hotel Westport
Westport • 5km away