Up for some colourful Atlantic diving in the south-west of Ireland? Kerry Sub-Aqua Club, which is affiliated to governing body Diving Ireland, is running its annual South West Dive Rally in Knightstown on Valentia Island over the weekend of 23-24 May.
Attended by clubs from around Ireland and Northern Ireland as well as further afield, the event “showcases some of the best diving Ireland has to offer”, says club secretary Michael O’Donnell. “It has grown consistently over recent years, with 170 divers attending in 2025.”
Valentia Island, one of Ireland’s most westerly points, lies in Dingle Bay off the Iveragh Peninsula, and is linked to the mainland by bridge at Portmagee. “Famous dive-sites such as the Skellig Islands, Blasket Islands and Puffin Island are typically accessible to visitors, weather permitting,” says O’Donnell.
Scuba and also freedivers are welcome to attend and, while some visiting club-divers bring their own boats, space on day-boats will be available as required.
With the Atlantic waters warming up around the Irish coast towards the end of May, the event could coincide with possible basking shark encounters, as well as puffin season, say the organisers. Kerry SAC divers emphasise wreck-diving and marine conservation among their regular activities.
During the festival, prizes will be up for grabs in a sponsored underwater photography competition, while evening presentations are scheduled with Prof Taylor Chapelle of Oregon State University’s Big Fish Lab, talking about his basking shark research, and Louise Overy of Angel Shark Project Ireland discussing her work.
There will also be a beach-clean in which non-divers can get involved, and time-out options including live music, a mobile sauna and coffee and food trucks.
The local Royal Valentia Hotel will be dedicated to divers over the weekend and other accommodation options include local Airbnbs and a campsite near the marina.
“It’s set to be a fantastic diving festival, capturing the spirit, character and friendly welcoming nature of Ireland’s dive scene,” promises O’Donnell. Registration for the weekend costs 30 euros (£26) for divers who have Diving Ireland insurance; for those who don’t, short-term membership is available (50 euros or £43 for one month).
The nearest airport is Kerry International, with regular flights to Dublin, London, Manchester. Direct enquiries to Kerry Sub Aqua Club at kerrysubaqua@gmail.com or call +353 87 2032457.
