Diving

DIVING UNITED KINGDOM TOP DIVE SITES - NORTHERN IRELAND




TOP DIVE SITES – NORTHERN IRELAND

Alastor (previously known as the Alisdair) – the wreck of a motor yacht lies intact at a depth of 23 m. The yacht caught fire and sank in 1946. The wreck is still in one piece and is covered with dead men’s fingers and sea squirts. There are also many other marine species in this area such as crabs, nudibranch and gobies.
Location: Ringhaddy, Strangford Lough
Type of dive: shore/boat dive
Sea bed: mud, pebbles
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Drake – the wreck of an armoured cruiser lies at a depth of 18 m. The ship was attacked with a torpedo by a German submarine in 1917. The attack didn’t sink her and she was trying to escape. However, while escaping she collided with other ship and sank. This is a great site for novice divers and also for night diving.
Location: Ballycastle
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Lagan – the wreck of a steamship lies on her port side at a depth of 32 m. The wreck is quite intact and hosts an abundance of marine life. The visibility can be poor in this site.
Location: Belfast Lough
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: silt
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Longwy – the wreck of a French steamship lies at a depth of 27 m. The ship was on her way from Bilbao to the Clyde when she was torpedoed by a German submarine and sank in 1917. The wreck is covered with marine life. The visibility can be low in this area.
Location: Clyde
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Lough Gary (Lochgarry) – the wreck of a passenger ship lies intact at a depth of 32 m. The ship struck rocks and sank in 1942. The wreck hosts plenty of marine life such as bibs and pollacks. Divers should beware of strong currents that are frequent in this area.
Location: Rathlin Island
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Karanan – the wreck of a Dutch coaster lies on her port side at a depth of 40 m. The ship was on her way from Liverpool to Belfast when she collided with other ship and sank in 1942. The visibility can be poor in this area.
Location: Belfast Lough
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


North Wall – this area is famous for vertical underwater arches, caverns and walls which are covered with marine life – sponges and dead men’s fingers. There are also other marine species to be seen in this area such as pollacks, mackerels and wrasses. The dive is usually at the depth of 20 m but the maximum depth is 200 m. The visibility is excellent – up to 40 m.
Location: Rathlin Island
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Sard – the wreck of Sard lies intact at near Portstewart. This area is teeming with life such as crabs and many other species. The wreck is well broken up and only the boiler is still intact.
Location: Portstewart
Type of dive: shore dive
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Templemore – the wreck of a coastal ship lies at a depth of 18 m. The ship sank in 1911 due to bad weather. The wreck is quite broken up. This spot is teeming with life. Divers often feed conger eels here. Other frequent visitors include lobsters, nudibranch, butterfish and octopi.
Location: Ballycastle Bay
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Towry – the wreck of Towry lies at a relatively shallow depth of 18 m. The ship sank while under tow in 1930. The wreck is pretty intact. This is a great site for novice divers and for night diving. Conger eels are frequent visitors here.
Location: Castlerock
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water