intermediate
    (70)

    Hook Head – The Pinnacles & George’s Rock

    30m Max
    8-18m Vis
    boat

    Site Overview

    Hook Head’s Pinnacles and George’s Rock offer kelp-draped walls and rocky reefs with excellent visibility and abundant life, including spider crabs, lobsters, nudibranchs and the occasional seal. Sheltered on the sunny south-east, it is a reliable and scenic dive reached by boat or shore from the historic headland. The mix of wall and macro makes it a favourite for photographers and intermediate divers building Atlantic confidence. 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 depth, the moderate current and the wall layout. Descend along the rock controlling buoyancy, keep fins off the kelp, and use a torch for crabs and nudibranchs. Watch the surge at the entry and exit, ascend with a safety stop, and keep clear of any boat traffic near the head. 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

    Spider Crab

    high

    Maja squinado

    Best: Year-round

    Lobster

    medium

    Homarus gammarus

    Best: Year-round

    Nudibranch

    medium

    Aeolidiella spp.

    Best: Year-round

    Grey Seal

    medium

    Halichoerus grypus

    Best: Year-round

    Corkwing Wrasse

    high

    Symphodus melops

    Best: Year-round

    Safety & Hazards

    • Moderate current
    • Surge at entry
    • Cold water
    • Boat traffic
    • Remote headland
    • Fragile reef
    Nearest Chamber
    University Hospital Waterford
    35km away

    Traveler Notes

    Who is this for?

    Good for intermediate divers with drysuit experience who want a scenic wall and macro dive without extreme exposure. It also suits photography-focused dives. 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.

    wall-dive
    reef
    macro
    intermediate

    Quick Stats

    Difficultyintermediate
    CertificationAdvanced Open Water
    Currentmoderate
    Water Temp10-16°C
    Best TimeMay - September

    Dive Logistics

    Operators
    • Hook Head Diving
    Pricing Guide
    $85 - $150
    Per 2-tank boat dive

    Photography Info

    Recommended Gear
    60mm
    16-35mm

    Best for: macro, wide_angle

    Nearby Stay

    Granville Hotel

    Waterford5km away

    Check Availability

    The Dunbrody Country House

    Arthurstown15km away

    Check Availability