Belmullet & Erris Peninsula (SS T.W. Lawson)
Site Overview
The Erris Peninsula around Belmullet guards exposed Atlantic reefs with walls, huge spider crabs, lobsters and abundant anemones, plus the scattered SS T.W. Lawson, the largest pure sailing ship ever built (1907), at 10-20 m with anchors and plates. Remote and rich, it is a satisfying intermediate dive for those exploring the wild Mayo coast. Reached by boat or shore, it blends history with productive reef life. 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 reef or wreck, current and DSMB. Descend along the rock or locate the Lawson debris, control buoyancy to avoid stirring silt, and use a torch for detail. Ascend with a safety stop and deploy the marker for the boat. Mind the moderate current and remote 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
Spider Crab
Maja squinado
Best: Year-round
Lobster
Homarus gammarus
Best: Year-round
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Pollack
Pollachius pollachius
Best: Year-round
Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Moderate current
- Surge at entry
- Cold water
- Remote peninsula
- Boat traffic
- Fragile reef
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For intermediate divers with drysuit experience who want exposed reefs and a famous historic wreck. A highlight of the Erris coast. 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
- Erris Dive
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Ashford Castle
Cong • 15km away
Hotel Westport
Westport • 5km away