Killybegs & St. John’s Point
Site Overview
Killybegs is Ireland’s premier fishing port, and its sheltered harbour and nearby St. John’s Point offer gentle dives with small wrecks, macro life and good training conditions. Wrasse, anemones, crabs and flatfish thrive in the calm water, and the occasional wreck debris adds interest. Close to the scenic Donegal coast, it is a practical, family-friendly base for building skills. 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
"Enter from the harbour or short boat and plan a shallow profile over the reef. Move slowly to spot the small creatures, keep fins off the bottom, and use a torch for colour. Watch for boat traffic near the working port, and ascend with a safety stop before a careful exit. 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
Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Edible Crab
Cancer pagurus
Best: Year-round
Flatfish
Pleuronectiformes
Best: Year-round
Snakelocks Anemone
Anemonia viridis
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Boat traffic in harbour
- Mild current
- Cold water
- Limited visibility
- Slippery entry
- Fragile life
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Ideal for open-water students, refresher dives and macro photographers wanting an easy, sheltered site. Suits all levels in calm conditions. 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
- Killybegs Dive
Photography Info
Best for: macro, wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Rathmullan House
Rathmullan • 5km away
McGrorys Hotel
Buncrana • 10km away