Arranmore Island
Site Overview
Arranmore Island off Donegal holds pristine kelp forests and wall dives with seals, big pollack and seasonal basking sharks (May-August). The SS Myra (1918) adds a 15-25 m wreck, and the clear west-coast water makes this a spectacular, remote site. Reached by ferry from Burtonport, Arranmore is wild, beautiful and rich in life for confident intermediate to advanced divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers.
Dive Briefing
"Brief on the wall, current and DSMB. Descend along the rock controlling buoyancy, keep fins off the kelp, and watch for seals and fish. The Myra wreck can be included at 15-25 m. Ascend with a safety stop and deploy the marker for the boat. Mind the moderate current and remote island setting. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point."
Signature Marine Life
Grey Seal
Halichoerus grypus
Best: Year-round
Pollack
Pollachius pollachius
Best: Year-round
Basking Shark
Cetorhinus maximus
Best: May, June, July
Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Corkwing Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Moderate current
- Surge at entry
- Cold water
- Ferry logistics
- Remote island
- Fragile reef
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For intermediate to advanced divers with drysuit experience who want pristine walls, seals and possible basking sharks. A true wild Atlantic dive. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Arranmore Dive
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Rathmullan House
Rathmullan • 5km away
McGrorys Hotel
Buncrana • 10km away