Dunmore East – The Caves
Site Overview
Dunmore East’s limestone sea caves are a highlight of the south-east, with swim-throughs, glassy sweepers, conger eels and lobsters among the chambers. The geology is dramatic and the life abundant, but the surge that funnels through the openings makes this an advanced site best dived in calm conditions. Close to the pretty harbour village, it is a thrilling overhead-environment dive for confident drysuit divers who respect the swell. 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 overhead risk, surge and a turn pressure. Enter the cave mouth with two torches, stay shallow in the swim-throughs, and never go beyond the light zone without proper cave training. Monitor the surge on exit, keep fins controlled to protect the limestone, and ascend with a safety stop. 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
Conger Eel
Conger conger
Best: Year-round
Lobster
Homarus gammarus
Best: Year-round
Glassy Sweeper
Pempheris macrophthalma
Best: Year-round
Corkwing Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Snakelocks Anemone
Anemonia viridis
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Strong surge in caves
- Overhead environment
- Moderate current
- Cold water
- Sharp limestone
- Boat traffic
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For advanced divers comfortable with surge and overhead environments (within training). The caverns are exciting but demand respect for the swell and buoyancy. 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
- Dunmore East Dive Centre
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Granville Hotel
Waterford • 5km away
The Dunbrody Country House
Arthurstown • 15km away