Galway Bay – Black Head (Burren)
Site Overview
Black Head on the Burren has underwater limestone pavements, caves and grykes like a flooded version of the famous landscape above, rich in lobster, wrasse, nudibranchs and anemones. Unique geology and good macro make this an intermediate dive with a difference, reached by boat or shore from the Burren coast. A highlight for those who love unusual underwater scenery. 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 pavements, surge and overhead risk. Descend along the limestone with two torches, stay shallow in any caves, and keep fins controlled to protect the rock. Ascend with a safety stop and deploy the DSMB for the boat. Mind the surge on exit. 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. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point."
Signature Marine Life
Lobster
Homarus gammarus
Best: Year-round
Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Nudibranch
Aeolidiella spp.
Best: Year-round
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Edible Crab
Cancer pagurus
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Moderate current
- Surge at entry
- Cold water
- Overhead environment
- Boat traffic
- Fragile reef
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For intermediate divers with drysuit experience who want unique geology and macro. Good for those building cave-awareness skills within training. 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
- Burren Dive
Photography Info
Best for: macro, wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Recess • 10km away
Abbeyglen Castle Hotel
Clifden • 4km away