Killala Bay
Site Overview
Killala Bay is a sheltered, shallow training ground on the Mayo coast with flatfish, rays and gentle reefs. Easy and forgiving, it is a practical base for building cold-water skills away from the exposed headlands. Close to the historic village, it is a relaxed, family-friendly site for open-water students and refresher dives. 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
"Enter from the shore and plan a shallow profile over the bay. Move slowly to spot flatfish and rays, keep fins off the bottom, and use a torch for colour. Watch for boat traffic near the harbour, and ascend with a safety stop before a careful shore exit. 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
Flatfish
Pleuronectiformes
Best: Year-round
Ray
Raja clavata
Best: Year-round
Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Edible Crab
Cancer pagurus
Best: Year-round
Snakelocks Anemone
Anemonia viridis
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Shore entry surge
- Boat traffic
- Cold water
- Limited visibility
- Slippery rocks
- Mild current
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Perfect for open-water students, refresher dives and casual divers wanting an easy sheltered site. Suits all levels in calm conditions. 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.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Killala Dive
Photography Info
Best for: macro, wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Ashford Castle
Cong • 15km away
Hotel Westport
Westport • 5km away