The Skerd Rocks (Roundstone)
Site Overview
The Skerd Rocks are isolated granite pinnacles off Roundstone with strong currents, huge fish schools and anemone-covered walls. An advanced boat dive, they are best in calm weather with an experienced skipper who can place you on the pinnacles at slack. For confident divers, the Skerds offer thrilling, current-swept reef scenery and big life. 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 pinnacle, current and DSMB. Drop onto the rock at slack, control buoyancy against the wall, and watch the fish schools. Ascend at the planned point with a safety stop and deploy the marker for the boat. Stay close to the skipper’s plan given the current and exposure. 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
Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Grey Seal
Halichoerus grypus
Best: Year-round
Corkwing Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Strong currents
- Big swell
- Cold water
- Exposure
- Remote pinnacles
- Fragile reef
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For advanced divers with strong buoyancy and current experience who want an exposed pinnacle dive. Not for inexperienced divers. 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
- Skerd Rocks Charters
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Recess • 10km away
Abbeyglen Castle Hotel
Clifden • 4km away