Fair Head
Ireland · Ireland
Fair Head on the northeastern tip of County Antrim drops 200 metre dolerite columns straight into the North Channel, creating vertical underwater cliff faces of extraordinary geological drama that plunge beyond sport diving limits. The nutrient-rich currents sweeping past Scotland's Mull of Kintyre — just 20 km away — maintain dense communities of dead man's fingers, jewel anemones, and massive plumose anemones across every vertical surface. Harbour porpoise are frequently encountered mid-water and the wrecks of several vessels lost in the channel's shipping lanes lie scattered across the sandy gullies below 25 metres.
Conditions
Depth
5 to 40 m
Advanced depths
Current
Can be moderate
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
8 to 16 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
6 to 17°C
7mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Vis (m) | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Current | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Northern Fulmar
Last confirmed Jul 1, 2026 · 40 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Common Eider
Last confirmed Jun 15, 2026 · 54 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Atlantic Beadlet Anemone
Last confirmed Jun 16, 2026 · 51 records
Very likely
Most dives
Dead Man's Fingers
Last confirmed May 12, 2026 · 9 records
Very likely
Most dives
Razorbill
Last confirmed Jun 9, 2026 · 27 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Black-Legged Kittiwake
Last confirmed Jul 1, 2026 · 22 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Plumose Anemone
Last confirmed May 11, 2026 · 3 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Harbour Porpoise
Last confirmed Mar 13, 2024 · 2 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Gear