Malin Head – Garvan Isles
Site Overview
The Garvan Isles off Malin Head are steep walls covered in jewel anemones and soft corals, with seals, dolphins and big pollack in the clear north-coast water. Less famous than Torpedo Alley but just as beautiful, they offer spectacular advanced reef diving away from the deep wrecks. Reached by boat from the headland, this is wild, pristine Atlantic diving at its best. 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, watch the anemone and coral cover, and look for seals and dolphins. Ascend at the planned point 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
Jewel Anemone
Corynactis viridis
Best: Year-round
Soft Coral
Alcyonium spp.
Best: Year-round
Grey Seal
Halichoerus grypus
Best: Year-round
Common Dolphin
Delphinus delphis
Best: May, June, July
Pollack
Pollachius pollachius
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Moderate current
- Exposure and swell
- Cold water
- Remote headland
- Boat traffic
- Fragile reef
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For advanced divers with drysuit experience who want pristine walls and seals without the depth of the wrecks. A highlight of Donegal. 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
- Malin Head Charters
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Rathmullan House
Rathmullan • 5km away
McGrorys Hotel
Buncrana • 10km away