Travel Shop Ireland

The coastline lies squarely in the path of the Gulf Stream thereby offering unpolluted waters with an underwater flora and fauna that are luxuriant and colourful - a diver's paradise with spectacular drop-offs and an abundant marine life.� During your boat ride you might see dolphins, porpoises, migrating basking sharks, whales, sunfish and leatherback turtles. The resident seal populations on many of the offshore islands and rocks have become used to divers and may even play "hide & seek" with you or mimic students on beginner level courses and distract them during their open water skills. Fantastic scenic dives can be enjoyed near the Fastnet Lighthouse, Spain Reef, Kedge Gulley, The Arches, Blananarragaun, Cape Clear, Crab Rock, The Stags, Gascanane Sound, Sherkin Island, The Calf Islands, 78-Rock and Whale Rock.

There is good wreck diving too, with the "Kowloon Bridge" supercarrier of 300 metres for instance at a depth of 17 to 36 metres, the "U260" a German U-boat with hatches open at 36-44 metres and "Nestorian" 120 metres long at 15 to 25 metres. Others in that depth range are the Alondra, Asian, Dido, Hourtien, Illyrian and Mystique. Deeper wrecks are the Crescent City, Mignonette, Minihaha, Malmanger, Miami, Hazelside & Ludgate (due to the depth of some of these special restrictions apply - for charter rates and further information please contact us by email).

Drift diving fanatics will love the "Gascanane Sound" between Cape and Sherkin or south of the Stags and Kedge Rocks. We have numerous islands in Roaringwater Bay providing good sheltered sites whatever the weather. Mizen Head and Galley Head are about 45 minutes away which provide exceptional sites when the weather and tides permit. These sites are for experienced divers only.

�Aquaventures is run by Jerry & Rianne Smith from a purpose built dive centre adjacent to the Stone House B&B, Baltimore. The Centre has equipment to rent, 2 boats (an Offshore 125 with hydraulic divers lift for 9 - 12 divers each, and an 8.5 metre Rigid Hull Inflatable boat (RIB) for 6 - 12 divers (single tank), powered by a diesel stern-drive), a 20 cfm compressor with air bank, nitrox and trimix mixing panel as well as a well stocked shop. Facilities include classroom, showers and changing rooms, lounge area, video and book library on diving topics, free coffee & tea and plenty of off-street parking in close proximity to Baltimore's harbour. Visitors from the Netherland, Belgium, France and Germany may like to be taught in their native language by Rianne, our multi-lingual instructor. We recognise that divers' expectations have increased significantly and seek to satisfy these through offering high quality products and services at "value for money" prices, where the atmosphere is fun.

As diving requires a minimum age and size (the gear is heavy out-of-the-water, there is the option for younger enthusiasts to take part in a SNORKELLING TOUR. Minimum age is 6 and you must be able to swim. A parent or adult will have to accompany you on this trip. This half-day guided tour takes you to the offshore islands in either Roaringwater Bay, the Kedges or Stag Rocks where there are seal populations waiting to inter-act with you in their usual curiosity and excellent "hide & seek" abilities. In adverse weather conditions or when boat spaces are booked up the tour takes places in Lough Hyne - a unique marine nature reserve nearby where there are also some seals. Equipment rental is included and you will be provided with a semi-drysuit, mask, fins, snorkel and buoyancy aid or snorkelling vest. This means you will not be able to sink, but rather ensures that you stay afloat safely whilst enjoying the shallow waters near the islands and watch the seals, fish-life and beautiful colours of the rocky shores.