Why we don't share exact locations

“Where is this place?”

I get asked this a lot, which is totally fine.

Usually, people ask me: “Where is this place?” after they see some of my footage posted on Instagram. And I 100% would be wondering too if I saw something really interesting or beautiful.

I love sharing what you can see underwater in Ireland, specifically around Cork Coastlines.

A snorkeller beneath some breathtaking cliffs in Co. Cork.

Sometimes you see fish like wrasse, sometimes a catshark, sometimes sea anemones or stunning kelp forests or breathtaking scenery above the water (cliffs).

If I see beautiful locations online, I would wonder too; sometimes I also want to go there myself and check them out.

But I have learned over the years that not everyone is as awe-struck, respectful and appreciative of nature, the sea, marine life and all that comes with it.
Some people are just here for the likes. The content, the dopamine chase.

Visiting from close or from afar. In and out. Not carrying too much. Not wondering what impact they might have. Not considering locals, limited parking areas or knowing anything about the local wildlife, biodiversity and how their actions may impact it.

I have seen one of my favourite spots in Cork become completely overrun.

Granted, it is a small area to begin with, with very little parking available, and it is nestled between private land.

Especially during the summer months, you find a lot of visitors and tourists coming to the place because a video clip went viral a few years ago, tagging its exact location and showing some amazing views you won’t get  90% of the year, only during a rare long warm and settled weather spell.
The place still looks amazing even when the weather isn't great. However, it has been overrun with people. I often take away rubbish or left-behind BBQs, bottles, etc. or also washed-up nets and plastic that’s not supposed to be left behind.

Besides that, its impossible to visit the place during the summer now, especially during peak hours. It isn't accessible otherwise, so locals can't visit and enjoy the area or location anymore.

Thankfully, the place is too exposed and often to rough to get into, so hopefully there is less impact on the marine life and water due to fewer people getting in.

A beautiful compass jellyfish

It's never really that good anyway

The other reason why it won’t make sense to share the exact location is:

The Irish Sea and weather do what they want. A spot that looked incredible last Tuesday might be a swirl of stirred-up sand this Tuesday, because the wind swung round, or it rained for two days, or the swell rolled through and churned everything up. So even if I gave you the exact spot, there's a good chance you'd turn up, find nothing but soup, and wonder what all the fuss was about.

When I lead a tour, I take time to consider the conditions, wind, rain, swell, and tide before choosing from a few places I know well. This is less about having a secret spot and more about drawing on experience and local knowledge, built up over years of exploring and learning from what works and what doesn’t. A name or a pin on a map can’t replace that kind of understanding.
Even if you wanted to go to a particular spot yourself because you saw beautiful footage from there, it might not look the same the next day. Or even a few hours after!

Something important to remember is that quiet places remain special because they are quiet. That peacefulness is part of what makes them so enjoyable.

Many coastal communities have seen how quickly a quiet cove can change once it becomes widely known. More visitors can mean more wear on the landscape and more pressure on the wildlife that calls it home. These places are delicate, and their beauty depends on us treading lightly and respecting their limits.

On tours, we follow a no-touch policy and always aim to leave each place better than we found it. This approach only works if everyone who visits helps care for the area. Sometimes, the best way to protect a special place is simply to help keep it peaceful and undisturbed.

Exploring is fun

This is the part I love to share. Cork’s coastline is vast, and so much of it is waiting to be discovered.

Take a tide table, choose a part of the coast that catches your eye, and enjoy wandering at low tide. For me, much of the joy has come from the journey itself, discovering peaceful places on my own or with friends, learning through trial and error, and eventually finding somewhere beautiful by pure chance.

If you would like some guidance, that is exactly what the tours are for. Iwill take you to beautiful places chosen for the day’s conditions, so you can simply enjoy the experience. If you prefer to explore on your own, Cork’s coastline will reward your curiosity and sense of adventure.

So, in short

Yes, there is a little bit of gatekeeping when it comes to sharing locations ONLINE. It's my way of respecting nature and wildlife. And to be honest, there is no better feeling than going out with friends or your community exploring places and discovering some of Ireland’s amazing coastlines.

Im always here if you prefer a guided experience, but do have a look, get off your screen and enjoy nature responsibly.

Either way, I hope you find as much joy in Cork’s coastline as I have.😊

Any questions, as always, feel free to reach out (just dont ask me about exact locations😅)

Cornelia