The Muglins (Dalkey)
Site Overview
The Muglins is a dramatic lighthouse rock off Dalkey, its walls dropping through a tidal race rich in seals, large wrasse and pollack. The strong current makes this an advanced dive timed to slack water, but the clear Dublin Bay water and abundant life reward careful planning. Close to the city, it is a thrilling counterpoint to the gentler Dalkey Island sites. 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 tidal current, slack window and DSMB. Drop onto the wall, control buoyancy against the rock, and watch for seals and fish. 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 race. 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
Corkwing Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Best: Year-round
Pollack
Pollachius pollachius
Best: Year-round
Anemone
Urticina felina
Best: Year-round
Lobster
Homarus gammarus
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Strong tidal current
- Surge at entry
- Cold water
- Boat traffic
- Remote rock
- Fragile reef
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
For advanced divers with strong buoyancy and current experience who want a dramatic wall and seal dive near Dublin. Not for beginners. 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
- Dalkey Charters
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Merrion Hotel
Dublin • 6km away
The Marker Hotel
Dublin • 8km away