Portrush – The Skerries
Site Overview
The Skerries off Portrush are granite pinnacles and kelp reefs rich in macro life, making them a favourite for training and shore diving on the Causeway coast. Dogfish, rays, wrasse, anemones and crabs thrive among the rocks, and the sheltered bay keeps conditions gentle. Easily reached from Portrush, it is a practical, wildlife-rich site for building cold-water 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 shore or short boat and plan a shallow profile around the pinnacles. Move slowly to spot the small creatures, keep fins off the kelp, and use a torch for colour. Watch for boat traffic near the harbour, 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
Dogfish
Scyliorhinus canicula
Best: Year-round
Ray
Raja clavata
Best: Year-round
Corkwing Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Snakelocks Anemone
Anemonia viridis
Best: Year-round
Edible Crab
Cancer pagurus
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Boat traffic
- Mild current
- Cold water
- Limited visibility
- Slippery entry
- Kelp entanglement
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Ideal for open-water students, refresher dives and macro photographers wanting an easy 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
- Portrush Dive Centre
Photography Info
Best for: macro, wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Bushmills Inn
Bushmills • 8km away
The Salthouse
Ballycastle • 3km away