SCENE 01 / UNDERWATER FILMING
Underwater Filming
Professional marine cinematography with certified dive teams across Ireland.
Underwater filming captures imagery beneath the water's surface using specialized waterproof camera housings, lighting systems, and safety protocols. Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way offers dramatic North Atlantic environments including the Skellig Islands, Dingle Peninsula, and Cliffs of Moher area, while the Celtic and Irish Seas provide gentler conditions and historic shipwrecks for documentaries, features, and commercials.
We coordinate underwater operations with certified Irish dive teams, source cinema-grade waterproof equipment, and manage permits through the Irish Coast Guard, Marine Survey Office, and local harbour authorities. Our team handles logistics for remote western coast shoots, basking shark encounters off the Atlantic, and controlled tank work near Dublin and Wicklow studio facilities.
Capabilities
Complete Underwater Services
From controlled pool environments to open ocean cinematography, we provide professional underwater filming with safety and quality as priorities.
01
Dive Cinematography
- Open water filming
- Reef & marine life
- Shipwreck exploration
- Deep water operations
- Night diving
Ocean Depths
02
Pool & Tank
- Controlled environments
- Actor water work
- Product photography
- Split-level shots
- Underwater sets
Controlled Shoots
03
Equipment
- Cinema camera housings
- Underwater lighting
- Communication systems
- Monitors & playback
- Specialty rigs
Pro Gear
04
Safety & Coordination
- Certified dive teams
- Safety divers
- Medical standby
- Actor training
- Risk assessment
Safety First
On Location
SeaCam ARRI Alexa Mini LF and Gates housings on Wild Atlantic Way, Skellig Michael UNESCO and Antrim Coast with Irish Underwater Council coordination
Here is how this works in practice. Ireland's underwater-filming bench runs through Irish Underwater Council (Comhairle Fo-Thuinn / CFT) and Atlantic Dive certified operators with CMAS commercial-cinematography ratings, plus HSE-equivalent SCUBA Health and Safety Authority certifications on heavier productions. The senior bench has shipped underwater plates across Star Wars The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi (Skellig Michael UNESCO Kerry waters. Luke's hermitage approach sequences), Game of Thrones Northern Ireland Cushendun Caves + Carrick-a-Rede + Downhill Beach Dragonstone-adjacent underwater plates across all 8 seasons, Vikings and Vikings Valhalla Ashford Studios water-tank work plus Wicklow river-mouth Atlantic location shoots.
Here is the short of it. The Wonder Sebastián Lelio underwater inserts, Brooklyn transatlantic crossing inserts, In the Name of the Father, Once, Pierce Brosnan Bond Goldeneye and Tomorrow Never Dies partial Ireland sequences. Plus the wider Tourism Ireland + Fáilte Ireland + Discover The North Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Route underwater campaign work.
Here is the breakdown. Dive locations cover the full Wild Atlantic Way (Cork to Donegal 2,500 km), Cliffs of Moher submarine cliff-edge, Aran Islands, Cobh harbour, Galway Bay, Skellig Michael UNESCO restricted waters. Achill Island. Slieve League sea cliffs. Plus the Irish Sea (Dublin Bay + Howth + Wicklow coast + Wexford) and Northern Ireland (Antrim Coast + Giant's Causeway UNESCO + Carrick-a-Rede + Strangford Lough Marine Conservation Zone). Gear flow runs SeaCam ARRI Alexa Mini LF housings (the cinema-feature standard). Gates housings for RED V-Raptor 8K + Sony Venice 2 + Sony FX9 + ARRI Amira. Nauticam housings for Sony FX3 and FX6 documentary work.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. GoPro Hero 12 Black for B-roll and POV. Lighting flows Keldan Video 24X + 30X underwater LEDs (4K-7K lumen output, 5500K daylight balance). Atlantic dive conditions drive specific protocols — 8-12°C year-round Atlantic water temperatures need dry-suit certification (CFT Drysuit Specialty), 2-15 m typical visibility with tide-dependent types around Aran Islands and Skellig Michael, and Atlantic surge protocols on the western seaboard. Studio tank work uses Ardmore Studios + Belfast Titanic Studios tank capacity. Section 481 32% relief plus 40% regional uplift covers dive-team day rates and housing rental.
FAQ
Underwater Expertise
What cameras can you use underwater?
We operate professional underwater housings for cinema cameras including RED, ARRI, and Sony systems. We match camera and housing combinations to your resolution, frame rate, and image quality requirements.
Do you provide certified dive teams?
Yes, all our underwater crews are certified commercial divers with specific film production experience in Irish waters. Teams include underwater cinematographers, focus pullers, safety divers, and dive supervisors as required, equipped for cold-water North Atlantic conditions.
Can you film in pools and tanks?
Yes, we regularly work in controlled environments including swimming pools and studio water facilities near Dublin and the Wicklow studio cluster (Ardmore, Ashford, Troy). These controlled settings are ideal for actor work, product shots, and sequences requiring precise control.
What about actor safety underwater?
Actor safety is paramount. We provide safety divers, breathing apparatus for extended takes, pre-shoot training, and clear communication systems. Non-diving actors can achieve impressive underwater shots with proper support.
Where can you film in Ireland?
We film along the entire Wild Atlantic Way—the Skellig Islands offer iconic seabird and seascape environments, Dingle and the Ring of Kerry deliver dramatic coastal locations, the Aran Islands and basking shark waters off Cork and Kerry suit wildlife work, and the Wicklow studio belt offers controlled tank facilities. Coastal permits run through harbour authorities and the Irish Coast Guard.
How do you handle underwater communication?
We use professional underwater communication systems including through-water comms for diver coordination and surface-to-diver links. Directors can communicate with underwater crews and monitor shots in real-time.
Related Services
Productions in Ireland that need this often pair it with Underwater Lighting, Multi-Camera Setups, and Marine & Wildlife Filming for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Underwater Camera Operators and Camera & Cinematography.
On Set
Need Underwater Filming?
Tell us about your underwater requirements and we'll provide experienced dive teams.