Ballycastle – Fair Head
Site Overview
Fair Head rises as tall cliffs both above and below the water off Ballycastle, with seals, lobsters and abundant macro on the vertical rock. The strong currents and big swell make this an advanced, exposed dive reached only in calm windows, but the drama and life are superb. A highlight of the Antrim coast for confident divers who can handle the conditions. 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. Drop onto the cliff at slack, control buoyancy against the rock, and watch for seals and fish. Ascend at the planned point with a safety stop and deploy the marker for the boat. Stay close to the skipper’s plan given the exposure. 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
Lobster
Homarus gammarus
Best: Year-round
Pollack
Pollachius pollachius
Best: Year-round
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Strong currents
- Big swell
- Cold water
- Exposure
- Remote head
- Fragile reef
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For advanced divers with strong buoyancy and boat experience who want an exposed, seal-rich wall. Not for inexperienced divers. 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. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Ballycastle Charters
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Bushmills Inn
Bushmills • 8km away
The Salthouse
Ballycastle • 3km away