The Canyon

The Canyon is a dive at Black Head, the headland inside the Old Head of Kinsale in Ireland, and is described as one of the best dives there. It is reached by boat.

The site is split between narrow passages that open into wider bowl-shaped gullies. The walls of the gullies are carpeted with life. In spring and early summer they are covered in oaten pipes hydroids, which in turn host many nudibranchs and give good chances for photography. There are also walls of jewel anemones with large blocks of every colour variety.

Larger life you can expect to see includes lobster, crabs, crayfish and many species of fish. Every rock crevice holds some small creature, though some, such as lobsters and congers, are not so small. There is always something different to see, and the site is popular with macro photographers. In the springtime lumpsuckers can be seen guarding their eggs.