Loop Head Peninsula
Site Overview
Loop Head is a remote peninsula with steep walls, sea caves and dense anemone cover, plus grey seals and the occasional summer sunfish (mola mola). Scenic and productive, it is a satisfying intermediate dive for those exploring the Clare coast away from the famous cliffs. Reached by boat or shore, it captures the wild beauty of the Shannon estuary mouth. 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 substrate, and use a torch in the caves. 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. 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
Sunfish
Mola mola
Best: July, August
Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Moderate current
- Surge at entry
- Cold water
- Remote headland
- Boat traffic
- Fragile reef
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For intermediate divers with drysuit experience who want walls, seals and possible sunfish. A great complement to the Cliffs of Moher. 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
- Loop Head Dive
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Moy House
Lahinch • 5km away
The Armada Hotel
Spanish Point • 3km away