The Aran Islands are three Atlantic islands with a single family-run dive centre on Inishmore, the largest, whose boat leaves from the ferry terminal at Kilronan. The diving is on Atlantic rock and kelp: walls along the cliffs of Inishmaan, the sandy islet of Straw Island, the wreck of the Village Queen and remote offshore reefs. Poll na bPéist, the Wormhole of Inis Mór, is a rare dive kept for experienced certified divers.
About diving in Aran Islands
Diving runs from Kilronan on Inishmore, where the boat leaves from the ferry terminal beside the dive centre and heads out for one dive at a time; Far West Diving is the one trip run differently. The ride usually takes 10 to 15 minutes each way, and the site is chosen by the day's conditions. The programme covers guided boat dives, family diving, Wormhole dives and night dives, and guided shore dives start from the Inishmore coastline. It is the only dive centre on the islands.
Underwater the ground is varied: walls, steep ridges and a large, spacious cave filled with hundreds of jellyfish and thousands of tiny white starfish. Kelp, red algae, yellow sponges and colonies of dead man's fingers, a soft coral, cover much of the rock. Visibility tends to sit around 10 m (33 ft) and can be greater, and conditions range from calm to a light drift with the site and the weather.
The daily boat trips suit any diver with at least an Open Water certification who is at ease in Atlantic water. The Wormhole needs an Advanced certification, and The Tower, which reaches 27 m, is rated for advanced divers. Many of the best sites are remote offshore reefs, so specialist dive insurance is highly recommended, and with one centre on the islands a diver who arrives without a booking in the holidays may find no space.
Best time to dive Aran Islands
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-season | Off-season | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good | Off-season |
The only dive centre opens in March, the month the Doolin ferry starts sailing, when the water sits around 10 °C. From then the boat runs through spring, and summer, when the water is warmest, is the best time to dive; August averages close to 16 °C. The Doolin ferry stops after October, and the centre stays open to the end of November. From December to February the centre is closed.
Dive types & marine life
A large colony of grey seals lives around Inishmore; they are seen more often from the boat or by snorkellers than underwater. Small-spotted catsharks are common around the islands. Basking sharks are often spotted here, especially in spring and early autumn, and a mola mola about 3 m across has been seen near Inishmaan.
- Wall
- Wreck
- Reef
- Seals & sea lions
- Mola mola
Best dive sites in Aran Islands
- 1
Poll na bPéist (the Wormhole)
Rectangular tidal pool in the limestone of Inis Mór, dived at 10 to 18 m by advanced divers only.
- 2
Inishmaan
Beginner boat site about 12 minutes out, to a maximum of 22 m.
- 3
Straw Island
Tiny sandy islet close to Inishmore, where scores of seals surface around the boat.
Site guides
Wall
A roomy cave full of jellyfish and tiny white starfish
A rectangular rock pool joined to the Atlantic by hidden passages
How to get to Aran Islands
All ferries sail to Kilronan on Inis Mór in about 40 minutes. From Doolin the ferry runs 3 or 4 times a day from March to October, foot passengers only. Shannon is the closest international airport, about 60 minutes by car from Doolin. The dive centre is in Kilronan, near the ferry terminal.
Dive videos
Underwater Life of the Aran Islands | Scuba Diving in Ireland. · Dive Aran on YouTube
Best Scuba Diving in Ireland! Dive Inis Mór Aran Islands Puffing Holes Pollock Wrasse Caves Crabs 🤿 · SubFishing on YouTube
Questions divers ask
What certification is needed to dive the Aran Islands?+
The daily boat trips ask for at least an Open Water certification. The Wormhole asks for an Advanced certification, at least 20 logged dives and a logged dive within the last 12 months.
Can the Aran Islands be dived from shore?+
Yes. Guided shore dives start from the Inishmore coastline; Spider Crab, a beginner shore site, goes to 10 m.
Do dives at the Aran Islands need to be booked ahead?+
Yes. There is only one dive centre on the islands and it often books up, especially in the holidays, and each boat takes at most 5 divers with a guide.
What suit is needed to dive the Aran Islands?+
A drysuit is not required. The centre uses 7 mm wetsuits year-round, with an extra 5 mm shorty if needed.
Sources
- Dive Aran — Dive Aran
- Dive Aran experiences — Dive Aran
- Dive Sites of the Aran Islands — Dive Aran
- Boat Fun Dives in the Aran Islands — Dive Aran
- Wormhole Diving — Dive Aran
- Contact Dive Aran — Dive Aran
- Aran Islands Diving Guide — Diving Squad
- Scuba Diving on the Aran Islands — Aran Islands Official Guide
- The Wormhole on Inis Mór — Galway Tourism
- Aran Islands — Wikivoyage
- Meerestemperatur Galway Februar — meerestemperatur.de
- Meerestemperatur Galway August — meerestemperatur.de
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