Fastnet Rock Lighthouse Area
Site Overview
Fastnet Rock, the "Teardrop of Ireland," rises as a sheer lighthouse-crowned pinnacle at the edge of the Atlantic, and its underwater walls are equally dramatic. Huge schools of pollack and wrasse swarm the granite, jewel anemones colour the rock, and blue sharks occasionally appear in late summer. This is advanced boat diving at its most exposed: reached only in calm summer windows from Baltimore or Schull, it offers a thrilling finale to any Cork diving trip for those who can handle the conditions. 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 exposed descent, current and DSMB. Drop onto the pinnacle at slack, control buoyancy against the wall, and watch the fish schools. The Atlantic swell means a quick, controlled ascent with a safety stop and a deployed marker for the boat. Stay close to the skipper’s plan given the remoteness. 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
Pollack
Pollachius pollachius
Best: Year-round
Corkwing Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Blue Shark
Prionace glauca
Best: August, September
Grey Seal
Halichoerus grypus
Best: Year-round
Jewel Anemone
Corynactis viridis
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Extreme exposure
- Strong currents
- Big Atlantic swell
- Cold water
- Long boat ride
- Remote location
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For advanced divers with strong buoyancy and cold-water boat experience who want a truly exposed Atlantic pinnacle. Not for the faint-hearted or inexperienced. 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
- Fastnet Charters
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Ballylickey Manor House
Bantry • 20km away
The Maritime Hotel
Bantry • 5km away