Castletownbere Dive weekend
Castletownbere Dive Weekend
1st - 4th August 2025
We are running a special Dive Weekend to Castletownbere, Co Cork aimed at experienced divers who would like to explore some of the less well known reefs around the Beara peninsular. Castletown-Berehaven (Castletownbere) is situated on the southern side of the Beara Peninsula in West Cork. The Beara peninsula is a wild and rugged place with some truly magnificent rocky mountain landscapes, lush forests, mountain lakes and rugged coastline. Less visited by tourists that some other parts of the west, it offers some of the best scenery West Cork has to offer. It is also less dived due to its remoteness which means there are lots to discover for those who make the journey. Travel time from Dublin app 4:30hrs.
There are umpteen dive sites within easy reach of Castletownbere harbour, Bere island itself offers both shelter to the harbour and a good choice of sites with a short run. Heading east towards Lonehort Point and Roancarrigmor lighthouse the sites range for 15-50mts with plentiful life and steep drop-offs.
The north side of the peninsula gives direct access to Kenmare Bay and shelter from a southerly wind. It also opens up the possibility of some excursions to Deenish and Scarrif Islands on the north side of the bay. These are very exposed sites and offer some of the best diving to be had in the area.
The excellent harbour, nestled within the protected waters of outer Bearhaven Harbour, provides shelter against all winds. In the 19th and early 20th century, it was an important anchorage and naval port for the British Royal Navy but today, its key role is the fishing industry and the port now hosts the largest fishing fleet in the country.
Either way diving is guaranteed as there is always shelter to be found. This is the home of the BIM Commercial Diving programme where diving happens almost uninterrupted during the worst of the winter weather. For those interested in visiting the BIM Dive barge with Chamber and Commercial Diving systems aboard this can be arranges subject to agreement in advance.
Click here to watch the BIM Commercial Diver training video on YouTube
A trip to the west from the harbour will take you towards Blackball head with domineering cliffs and very impressive underwater features and marine life.
For those who like the deep stuff, there will also be a chance to visit some sites with depths down to 40 meters.
There are numerous B&B's available both in Castletownbere and the surrounding townlands and villages. Airbnb is probably the easiest way to find suitable accommodation. There are also campervan and camping sites available in the area.
Castletownbere has some excellent restaurants, coffee shops and pubs and is well serviced with shops and even spotlessly clean public toilets.
Most famous of the pubs in the town is MacCarthy's Bar which has a colourful history and has been owned and managed by the McCarthy family for over four generations.
Eyeries, 10 min from CTB has lovely pubs, shops and an excellent restaurant.
The Dive Package price, including 5 boat dives and air fills, is €245.00 per person - if weather permits, we are also aiming to cross from Bearhaven to Derrynane on Sunday to dive the outer reefs as far as Scraiff and Deenish Islands, due to the additional travel time by RIB there will be a €10.00 fuel surcharge per diver if this goes ahead. Gear rental is also available for those who need it. The trip is aimed at experienced divers only who have Advanced certification or higher and who are dived up for Atlantic style diving.
To request a place, just complete the booking form below and we will contact you by return.