Achill Island – Keem Bay
Site Overview
Keem Bay on Achill Island drops as steep cliffs through kelp forest to seals and pollack, with basking sharks possible in summer. The scenery is stunning and the dive runs from boat or shore in calm weather, making it one of Mayo’s most beautiful sites. Remote and wild, Keem Bay rewards confident intermediate divers with dramatic Atlantic scenery and abundant life. 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 wall, current and DSMB. Descend along the cliff controlling buoyancy, keep fins off the kelp, and watch for seals and fish. Ascend at the planned point with a safety stop and deploy the marker for the boat. Mind the moderate current and remote setting. 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
Grey Seal
Halichoerus grypus
Best: Year-round
Pollack
Pollachius pollachius
Best: Year-round
Basking Shark
Cetorhinus maximus
Best: May, June, July
Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Moderate current
- Surge at entry
- Cold water
- Remote island
- Boat traffic
- Fragile reef
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For intermediate to advanced divers with drysuit experience who want dramatic cliffs, seals and possible basking sharks. A highlight of Mayo. 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
- Achill Dive
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Ashford Castle
Cong • 15km away
Hotel Westport
Westport • 5km away