Dive Sites in Ireland, Scuba Diving in Ireland

Dive Sites In Ireland

Divers have discovered that diving in Ireland is comparable with the world's best at a fraction of the cost. DIVE N.I run trips all round the Irish coast with everything to suit all divers from wreck to scenic, or you can charter your own trip - its your choice. Bay

To ensure that you have a relaxing day diving, DIVE N.I includes the following in the trip price;

Transportation to the sites
Accommodation if needed
Boat with first aid & O2
Hot beverages between dives
BBQ or meal in the evenings

Please read below for more information on some of the dive sites we visit or contact us for more information about dive trips and chartered trips.

Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim

Rathlin Island lies just 7 miles north of the seaside resort of Ballycastle and 17 miles from the Mull of Kintyre, Scotland. The area has more than 40 recorded wrecks around its shores, some are more or less gone but there are several very exciting wrecks, which prove extremely popular with divers. Rathlin and the Antrim coast have some of the breath taking scenic dives and it is a diving opportunity not to be missed.

HMS Drake (shown below) sank in Church Bay in Rathlin on 2nd October 1916 several hours after being struck by a torpedo fired by U79. The 40 mtr, 14000 tonne, 4 funnelled, armoured cruiser lies well broken up at 18 mtrs.

SS Loughgarry sank a mile East of Rue Point on Rathlin. She was bound from Glasgow to Oban to pick up soldiers for the Faros. Initially she struck rocks off Torr Point in dense fog. She has a length of 80 mtrs, a draught of 5 mtrs and is 1670 tonnes. The Loughgarry sits upright on the seabed and well intact at a depth of 30 mtrs.
SS Templemore sank in Ballycastle Bay on 6th December 1911 in heavy weather. She lies in 18 mtrs of water and is well broken up. Several tame conger eels inhabit the wreck, which maybe hand fed by divers.
Derginam Point is a tremendous dive, 40 mtr cliffs topped with pinnacles and archways.
Farganlack Point is a drop-off starting at 20 mtrs and descending to 200 mtrs with a swim through arch at 30 mtrs.

Malin Head, Co. Donegal

This is as far north of Ireland Devil's Cut as you can get and an absolute favourite with divers. Malin Head is another classic picture of Ireland and the same goes for the coastal waters it hosts. This area is littered with wrecks and scenic dives this is ideal for the diver who just wants to get away from the rat race and just dive.

Devils Cut has vertical sides plunging straight down to 20 mtrs, the West side of the cut is about 5 mtrs wide. The seabed is covered small pebbles and the scenery is stark with splashes of colour provided by hundreds of large daliah anemones. The dives finishes with a spectacular end in presenting a cavern that has massive bowl shapes cut out of the rock. These bowls were formed by wave action rotating large boulders on a softer base rock, some of the bowls care up to 6mtrs in diameter. The sea life is excellent and varied.

North West Donegal

Tory Island, Inishbeg, Inishdoeey, Inishbofin these areas are renowned for there unsurpassed beauty and some of the most spectacular coastal scenery. The unusual variety of sea life divers encounter may include seals, squid and porpoises as well as exquisite plants and sea anemones. Some of the sites we frequently visit are:

Binlahan Bay - depth 15mtrs.
White Vein Point - depth 25 mtrs.
Scoltar-Hyancaul - depth sloping of to 30 mtrs.
Port Doon - Depth 15-20 mtrs.

Aranmore, Co. Donegal

Donegal has many fine dive sites but none better than the sites around Aranmore Island near Burtonport. Aranmore has always well sheltered shores. Burtonport has a lot of facilities to accommodate divers ranging from B&Bs to local establishments catering for the hungry and thirsty diver. Some of the sites we frequently visit are:

Paradise Cave - depths 15 mtrs.
Pinnacle Rock - depths 20 mtrs.
The Greek Wreck - large cargo steamer, depth 6 mtrs.
Rutland Sound - depths 20 mtrs.
The Skiford - depths 26 mtrs.
Tomeady Point - Overhangs 35 mtrs.

Malinbeg Harbour, Co. Donegal

This natural inlet is a small quay on the Slieve League Peninsula at the most westerly point of Donegal. There are many dive sites in the region of which those listed are a sample.

Gloster Rocks - depths 35 mtrs.
Candles Rocks - depths 18 - 20 mtrs.
Bull Rock - depths 25 mtrs.
Shark Rock - depths 15 mtrs.

St Johnâ€™s Point South, Donegal

St Johns Point is a peninsula situated in the eastern end of Donegal Bay. The Point offers a variety of dive sites, both shore and boat and excellent location for both novice and experienced divers.

Black Rock - depths 20 - 40 mtrs.
Portnagh Rock - depths 25 mtrs.
Skuddagh Rock - depths 25 mtrs.
Cassan Sound - depths 10 mtrs.

Mullaghmore, Co. Donegal

The Mullaghmore headland is situated in the north-west Ireland, on the south of Donegal Bay. With a new beautifully built stone harbour on the East Side of the headland and plenty of eating houses, the small village is well equipped for divers. Some of the popular sites are:

Thumb and Crumb Rock - depths 10 - 30 mtrs.
Pigeonâ€™s Cove - depths 10 - 25 mtrs.
The Gully - depths 6 - 25 mtrs.
The Head - depths 25 mtrs.

These are only a view sites visited by DIVE N.I, other areas include Co. Mayo, Co. Galway to Co. Clare. For more information on dive sites you would like to visit, please contact us.