Situated on Ireland’s southeast coast and accessed from the L159 Wexford/Duncannon Road, Hook Head Peninsula is marked with a lighthouse. A confluence of three rivers in Waterford harbor nearby can sometimes cause silting, particularly after bouts of rain; but on good days, you’ll enjoy about ten meters of visibility, and sometimes more. The resident seals are used to divers, and it is not unusual to find yourself in the company of a few of these curious onlookers as you explore the area’s emerald green waters. You can dive Hook Head itself, and search for old walrus tusks from the wreck of the Royal Arthur, which was lost in 1850, or you can enjoy several other nearby dive sites – here are seven of the best.
Solomon’s Hole
At Solomon’s Hole, A natural rock arch with a bowl shaped ledge underneath sits 250-300 meters from the harbor. Although the ledge is covered by about a meter of water at high tide, it is often exposed at low tide and makes a nice platform for entry. Once you’re in the water, you can drop straight down into a gully which begins at about 12 meters and gradually widens as it deepens to 20 meters, then slopes back upward, finally spitting you out in a small kelp forest. You’ll find lots of lobsters, crabs, and wrasse along the way, along with a few shrimp and some Pollack. Follow the same route back to the rock, where you can climb out easily.
Caraig Ahoy
Just about 150 meters further along the coast from Solomon’s Hole, you’ll find Caraig Ahoy, which is a rocky promontory that juts out into the water, looking for all the world like a staircase. Steep and sheer on one side, and with steps on the other, which make for easy entry and exit, this site is home to more crabs and other crustaceans, plus wrasse and a few other fish. With gullies and sparse kelp coverage, it is a scenic site with maximum depth at about 20 meters.
Black Chan
Continuing along the head, Black Chan is located another 200 meters from Caraig Ahoy, where the cliff face gives way to a natural slope where you can make your way down to the water easily. An interesting site with a small amount of kelp and a few gullies, Black Chan features the broken wreckage of a fishing trawler that dates back to the late 1960’s. With quite a few crustaceans and plenty of fish, the site features maximum depth at 20 meters and is subject to a strong tidal race; diving is best at slack tide.
Unidentified Trawler
Best at high tide, the broken wreckage of this unidentified trawler makes an interesting dive, particularly during the summer months when you’ll find sand eels and garfish among the year-round occupants. Home to Tompot blennies and wrasse, crabs, lobsters and a few shrimp, the wreck is located alongside the wall and is accessed via a gulley that forms a Y shape, with one branch of the “Y” pointing toward shore, and leading to the opening of a large cave with blowholes in the ceiling. After looking at the cave, follow the wall on your right, and you’ll find the wreck just around the corner. The wreck, which consists mostly of the prop, engine block, and some broken chunks of hull, is located in eight meters of water, while the cave is at about five meters. Be careful on entry and exit, as the rock face can present a challenge.
Blow Hole
Sometimes dived in conjunction with the Unknown Trawler wreck, the Blow Hole site lies further along the same wall. There are several different blow holes to explore, all of which are connected to a single large cavern. Topside, there is a large gully that points straight to the general area of the blowholes, which are easy to find by simply making your way along the wall from either the left or right side of the gully. Only diveable when the sea is smooth and glassy, the site becomes extremely dangerous if there is any kind of swell at all. Maximum depth is about 8 meters.
Grogan
As you are heading toward the Hook Lighthouse from Churchtown, you’ll need to stop at the first gateway on your left. From there, take a compass bearing of sixty degrees, and the wreck of the Grogan can be found about 200 meters away. Completely flattened out and scattered, but with many elements still identifiable, the wreck is a favorite with local divers. In addition to the Grogan, there are the remains of a trawler plus some pieces of an old German Lugger, the Slazine, nearby. Go with the local sub-aqua club if at all possible, as these divers have thoroughly explored the area and can point out the site’s best features.
Tower Hole
An excellent dive for all, Tower Hole is right off Hook Head, and walrus tusks from the Royal Arthur’s cargo have been found in this area as well. With gullies and interesting rock formations, plus some kelp and a lot of crustaceans, plenty of wrasse, Pollack, and other fish, the site is excellent for underwater photography. The hole is a bowl shaped depression in the seabed, with a rise on its seaward side that leads to a slope which gradually deepens as it shifts from sand to rocky substrate. While maximum depth in the hole itself is just 10 meters, more experienced divers can make their way to a depth of about 20 meters. The site is subject to strong tidal currents and is best at slack water.
At its best during the summer months but suitable for diving year round, Hook Head is only about three hours from Dublin. The Hook Head Sub-Aqua Club is located at nearby Slade Harbor; equipment includes compressors and other facilities, and it is also possible to get a local guide through the club. To see conditions in advance, check out the Hook Head Lighthouse Webcam and be sure to pay close attention to the tides and plan accordingly.