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Belmullet, Co. Mayo

The Belmullet/Blacksod Peninsula is a very extensive and largely untapped diving area providing spectacular and very deep diving around the offshore Islands and very sheltered weather-proof shore dive sites. One reason why the area has largely been ignored by divers is that it lacks a popular resort Town and is somewhat off the main arterial routes. These, in fact, are advantages for a large group planning an expedition. The roads are uncluttered and you can certainly get away from the crowds to enjoy peace and solitude in an area which provides plenty of beaches and beautiful dramatic scenery.

1. Scotchport
Scotchport just West of Belmullet is a beautiful bay extending about 1km seaward to a very narrow entry making it extremely sheltered. The shoreline is stony and free of sand. The water is crystal clear and provides the sort of colourful marine life you see in the pollack holes at Kilkee. The advantage here is that the inner bay extends several hundred metres across and up to 10m in depth, making it perfect for snorkelling and training dives.
Just further out towards the mouth but still sheltered from the open sea, there is 25m and a good reef and rocky scenery. Inflatables can be safely moored in this bay overnight in summer time.

In good sea conditions a ten to fifteen minute boat trip out into the open sea gives access to excellent diving North and South of Scotchport along the cliff faces and small bays. Depths vary down to 30m close to shore.

There is no slipway here, just a stony and very steep beach.

2. Eagle Island
Easily accessible from Scotchport, this isolated island with it's lofty lighthouse provides spectacular diving with sheer cliff faces falling off very quickly into deep water. This is not an area for the novice.

3. French-Port
Just to the South of Scotchport is the far larger bay of French-Port. There is shelter here for hard hulled and bigger boats. Launch at the beach.

Diving just North and South of the mouth of the bay is very good and like Scotchport up to 25m is available within the shelter of the bay. Eagle Island and its smaller "satellite" islands are also accessible from here.

4. Broadhaven
Ballyglass in Broadhaven Bay facing north gives shelter from southerly winds and is a good base for a trip to The Stags of Broadhaven in suitable weather

5. Erris Head
This juts out into the Atlantic but a road and a slipway (now blocked) have been hewn out of the rocks giving access down a steep incline to a delightful gully. this is an ideal location for a small group and gives easy access to very good diving around the Head where depths of 30-40m are obtainable. Boats have to be launched from Ballyglass.

6. Inishkea Islands
The Blacksod Peninsula to the South of Belmullet opens on to a magnificent view of Achill Island, Blacksod Bay and the various rocks and islands to the West. Chief of these are Inishkea North and Inishkea South whose Irish speaking inhabitants have recently moved to the mainland and abandoning the islands to the seals.

There is a good slipway at Blacksod Point and the islands are within reasonable travelling time. The trip can be considerably shortened for the divers by arranging to pick them up from the beautiful white sandy beach to the West of the head to which they can drive while the boats are brought around by sea.

The Inishkea Islands provide an ideal location for a well organised diving holiday. There is a good harbour, empty houses, excellent diving on both East and West shores and access to other offshore rocks, and no distractions like pubs!

The Belmullet area abounds in good dive sites, is reasonably "weather=proof" once you are prepared to drive to alternative dive sites, is away from the madding crowds, provides rugged and spectacular scenery and is served by an excellent hotel which caters specifically for divers.