Lambay Island
Site Overview
Lambay Island is a private island off north Dublin with steep volcanic walls, a dense anemone garden and a large seal colony. The scattered RMS Tayleur clipper (1854) adds history at 10-20 m with anchors and chains, and the clear-ish water rewards careful planning. A scenic and wildlife-rich boat dive, Lambay suits intermediate divers who want walls, seals and a famous shipwreck in one trip. 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 the Tayleur location. Descend along the volcanic drop-off controlling buoyancy, watch the anemone gardens and seals, then locate the wreck debris. Ascend with a safety stop and deploy the DSMB 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
Grey Seal
Halichoerus grypus
Best: Year-round
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Pollack
Pollachius pollachius
Best: Year-round
Corkwing Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Lobster
Homarus gammarus
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Moderate current
- Surge at entry
- Cold water
- Remote island
- Boat traffic
- Fragile reef
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For intermediate divers with drysuit experience who enjoy walls, seals and wreck history. A great wildlife and history combination near Dublin. 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
- Lambay Charters
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Merrion Hotel
Dublin • 6km away
The Marker Hotel
Dublin • 8km away