advanced
    (80)

    Inishbofin & Inishark

    35m Max
    15-30m Vis
    boat

    Site Overview

    Inishbofin and Inishark offer crystal-clear water, spectacular walls, seafans and anemones, with large pollack, wrasse, seals and occasional dolphins and basking sharks. Remote and pristine, they are among the finest dives in Connemara, rewarding confident intermediate to advanced divers. Reached by boat from Cleggan or the islands, this is wild, scenic Atlantic diving at its best. 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 rock controlling buoyancy, watch the seafans and fish, and look for seals. 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. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point."

    Signature Marine Life

    Pollack

    high

    Pollachius pollachius

    Best: Year-round

    Wrasse

    high

    Symphodus melops

    Best: Year-round

    Grey Seal

    medium

    Halichoerus grypus

    Best: Year-round

    Seafan

    high

    Swiftia pallida

    Best: Year-round

    Common Dolphin

    low

    Delphinus delphis

    Best: May, June, July

    Safety & Hazards

    • Moderate current
    • Exposure and swell
    • Cold water
    • Remote islands
    • Boat traffic
    • Fragile reef
    Nearest Chamber
    University Hospital Galway Hyperbaric
    70km away

    Traveler Notes

    Who is this for?

    For intermediate to advanced divers with drysuit experience who want pristine walls and seals. A photographer’s dream. 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.

    wall-dive
    seal-dive
    advanced
    atlantic
    pristine

    Quick Stats

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

    Dive Logistics

    Operators
    • Inishbofin Dive
    Pricing Guide
    $120 - $200
    Per 2-tank boat dive

    Photography Info

    Recommended Gear
    16-35mm
    60mm

    Best for: wide_angle, macro

    Nearby Stay

    Ballynahinch Castle Hotel

    Recess10km away

    Check Availability

    Abbeyglen Castle Hotel

    Clifden4km away

    Check Availability