Lough Hyne Lake
Marine lake with unique biodiversity and research station
A marine lake near Skibbereen in County Cork, Lough Hyne is a protected marine reserve known for unusual biodiversity; visitors come for diving, kayaking and boardwalk walks along sheltered shores.
Lough Hyne at a Glance#
How to Get to Lough Hyne#
Lough Hyne is a short drive from the market town of Skibbereen in County Cork. From Skibbereen follow local roads heading west/southwest toward the coastal area (signposted for Lough Hyne/Baltimore); the lake is approximately a 5-10 minute drive (around 6 km) from Skibbereen and there is roadside parking with only a short walk down to the shore and viewing areas.
Tips for Visiting Lough Hyne#
- Plan to visit at low tide and check local tide tables - Lough Hyne is a marine lake with exceptional intertidal life, and low water reveals rockpools and creatures that are easy to observe from the shore and boardwalks.
- Park at the small public car park and follow the short marked coastal walks rather than trying to access the lake from unmarked lanes - the established paths give the best vantage points for the marine reserve's coves and cliffs.
- Go early in the day to avoid the small but steady stream of visitors and to get quieter views of the lake and the marine life; local information panels at the parking area explain the reserve's ecology and interpret crags you'll see from the trail.
Best Time to Visit Lough Hyne#
The best time to visit Lough Hyne is summer (June-August) for the mildest weather and best opportunities for marine and outdoor activities.
Weather & Climate near Lough Hyne#
Lough Hyne's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1250 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 4° - 9° | 3° | 149 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
| February | Poor | 4° - 9° | 3° | 121 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.8h |
| March | Poor | 5° - 10° | 4° | 102 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.3 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 6° - 12° | 6° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 5.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Acceptable | 8° - 14° | 11° | 80 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 10° - 16° | 13° | 63 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.0 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.3h |
| July | Good | 12° - 18° | 15° | 64 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 15.9h |
| August | Good | 12° - 18° | 15° | 92 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.4h |
| September | Good | 11° - 16° | 14° | 112 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 9° - 14° | 11° | 124 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Poor | 6° - 11° | 6° | 129 mm | overcast | 88% | 6.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Poor | 5° - 10° | 4° | 145 mm | overcast | 88% | 6.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |