Kenmare Bay
Site Overview
Kenmare Bay is a sheltered, shallow and colourful corner of the Kerry coast, perfect for training, night dives and macro photography. The rocky and sandy bottom is decorated with sea squirts, nudibranchs, snakelocks anemones and the occasional rare seahorse, while pipefish drift among the weeds. Calm and accessible from the picturesque town of Kenmare, it is one of the most forgiving dive environments in the region and a favourite for building skills and enjoying close-up life without Atlantic exposure. 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
"Enter from a sheltered slip or boat and plan a shallow profile over the bay. Move slowly to spot the small creatures, keep fins off the bottom, and use a torch for colour at depth. Night dives are excellent here: brief on lights and buddy contact, ascend with a safety stop, and watch for boat traffic near the moorings. 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
Sea Squirt (Ciona)
Ciona intestinalis
Best: Year-round
Nudibranch
Aeolidiella spp.
Best: Year-round
Seahorse
Hippocampus hippocampus
Best: June, July, August
Snakelocks Anemone
Anemonia viridis
Best: Year-round
Pipefish
Syngnathus acus
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Boat traffic
- Mild current
- Cold water
- Limited visibility after rain
- Slippery entry
- Fragile life
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Ideal for open-water students, night dives and macro photographers, as well as anyone wanting a relaxed, sheltered dive. It is the gentle counterpoint to the wild outer islands. 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
- Kenmare Bay Dive
Photography Info
Best for: macro, wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Dingle Skellig Hotel
Dingle • 5km away
The Lodge at Dingle
Dingle • 8km away