Family Activities:

Hartley’s Undersea Walk

Attraction

Hartley’s Undersea Walk

12 Rockywold Rd, Ireland Island,, Ireland Island

This family-run helmet diving business is known as one of the best on the island. After heading about two miles from shore to a reef, participants – including kids as young as five – can suit up in square helmets, knee pads and wetsuits, then make the descent down a ladder to the reef and walk along the ocean floor. While underwater, you’ll be able to pet and feed the fish and see gorgeous views of the reef and its creatures. Each group dive lasts about 30-40 minutes and there are usually several groups per session (and the trip to the reef itself is 30 minutes each way), so you should budget up to four hours for the entire trip. Bonus: Owner Greg Hartley – whose father invented the gold helmet in 1947 – takes underwater photos and video for a modest fee, so you can see yourself holding a giant snapper!