Sliabh Liag (Slieve League)
Site Overview
Sliabh Liag has some of Europe’s highest sea cliffs, and the underwater walls are equally dramatic, dropping through urchins, lobsters and cod on sheer granite. This is advanced boat diving at its most exposed, reached only in calm summer windows from the Donegal coast. For confident divers it offers a sense of scale and wilderness found in few places, with the cliffs towering above. 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 exposed descent, current and DSMB. Drop onto the wall at slack, control buoyancy against the rock, and watch the fish and urchins. Ascend at the planned point with a safety stop and deploy the marker for the boat. Stay close to the skipper’s plan given the remoteness and current. 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
Lobster
Homarus gammarus
Best: Year-round
Cod
Gadus morhua
Best: Year-round
Pollack
Pollachius pollachius
Best: Year-round
Urchin
Echinus esculentus
Best: Year-round
Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Strong currents
- Big swell
- Cold water
- Exposure
- Long boat ride
- Remote location
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For advanced divers with strong buoyancy and boat experience who want an exposed, dramatic wall. Not for inexperienced divers. 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
- Sliabh Liag Charters
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Rathmullan House
Rathmullan • 5km away
McGrorys Hotel
Buncrana • 10km away